With such high levels of airtightness, a whole
house Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery unit was installed, drawing fresh air in via a 60m long below ground 450mm diameter ‘earth tube’ which pre-heats the air in cold months, and provides cooling in hot summer temperatures. The unit runs on minimal electricity, largely generated by the associated solar PV array installed on the adjacent farm-building
roof. Domestic hot water is heated by two indi- vidual air source heat pump electric cylinders run during the day whilst the sun is out and stored for night-time use. There are even three wood burners installed, more for aesthetics than as a heating source, with air tightness main- tained due to the air flow channelled via a separate underfloor pipe. Clayboard was used instead of plasterboard
for ceilings, having the ability to absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Thermal mass is also created by the internal fair-faced brick walls of the large solar space and large areas of stone flooring, absorbing and moder- ating heat and helping cooling in the summer. The farmhouse is orientated to generally face
south and west with the main fenestration able to gain maximum amount of sunlight. The largest windows are shaded with zinc-clad canopies at ground floor and with extra large eaves at first floor level. This provides protection from the high summer sun, but allows low- level winter sun to penetrate deep into the house plan. There are large areas of glazing to provide good views out and create natu- rally light interiors, and all windows are aluminium clad high-performance timber frame and triple glazed. The owners have also noticed a significant
difference in the internal air quality. Maria smiles as she highlights there is almost no dust: “Despite having animals and five members of the family living here, the MVHR system has given us a virtually dust-free home. An utter joy when it comes to the task of cleaning!”
One team
Taking on such an extensive build was not for the faint hearted yet it was made considerably easier with the unwavering support of the entire network of contractors. Paul commented: “We doubt that many projects have been so collab- orative in their nature. As clients we could not possibly have designed the living space we knew we wanted but our architect Tim,
Continued overleaf... 26 selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
LOW POINT “It was a terrible shock
when the house got struck by lightning and caught fire. However due to the
phenomenal air-tightness, the house was far less damaged than a
traditional build would have been.”
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