Passivhaus benefits gain mainstream attention
Passivhaus is gaining momentum in the public eye, with national press recognising that the ultra low energy standard addresses health & wealth!
St Marys in Oldham, is a £15 million, 93 unit mixed tenure housing development, of which 2 homes received Passivhaus certification earlier this year in February (2013). Social landlord Contour Homes, part of Symphony Housing Group, also featured four zero-carbon houses which met Code for Sustainable Homes level six. For more information on the development read our Previous PHT arcticle.
With rising fuel prices there is a boom in public awareness of low energy buildings. A fuel expense comparison is made between 2 similar properties within the St Marys scheme, a 1960s pre-cast concrete terrace house, and one built to Passivhaus standard. The annual savings to be made on heating bills alone is something the public clearly understand in the recent Guardian article: Actively cutting energy bills – welcome to the passivhauses.
Sustainability director of regeneration group Keepmoat, Nigel Banks, says Britain can now build low-energy houses cheaper than it could just a few years ago: "We have found that we can build a three-bed Passivhaus for only about £20,000 more than a normal house, not the £50,000 extra that government thought when it relaxed building standards."
He goes on to say it is imperative the Green levy is not dropped from the Government’s relaxed building standards, insisting it will keep low-income homes cold, inevitably costing the NHS.
Savings made with low energy measures was also recently addressed on BBC Derby that visit Thornhill Road, with our very own Jon Bootland making an debut TV appearance and commenting on Passivhaus retrofit.
Another project getting recognition was Totnes Passivhaus on BBC England. Owner Adam Dadeby shares his cost savings, while 'doing something right for the environment'.