SELFBUILDER SURVEY: DELIVERING HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES utumn 2026


DELIVERING HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES


Introduction


The construction industry in the UK is striving to evolve in terms of environmental impact and energy effi ciency. n 202 the Future Homes Standard comes into force for all new builds in the UK, meaning much tighter requirements regarding the way homes are insulated, glazed and heated and how airtight and well-ventilated they are, mandating the use of renewable technologies. It’s a cause that self-builders are arguably ahead on, with many already opting for sustainable features and products such as heat pumps, triple glaing and solar P. But with expectations and regulations ever-increasing and tightening, and this summer’s record-breaking high temperatures making it more evident than ever that we need to rethink the way we build our homes, is it time to take things even further? idely regarded as the gold standard in energy effi ciency’, Passivhaus encompasses a range of principles and methods


to achieve incredibly high building performance standards. According to the Passivhaus Trust, buildings account for 35% of total global energy consumption. t’s for this reason that it’s aiming for 0 of all new housing projects in the UK to be Passivhaus standard by 20 – an arguably ambitious target given that fi gure currently sits at only . To meet the reuirements for certifi cation houses must be


extremely well-insulated and airtight, use triple glazing, and avoid thermal bridges – spots where heat can leak through such as a beam passing through insulation. trict airtightness requirements mean mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is necessary to ensure adequate ventilation and fresh air is achieved, and homes must also strike the tricky balance between using solar gain for heating, while simultaneously avoiding overheating. To achieve certifi cation designs must undergo energy modelling using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP), and


What are your reasons for deciding to pursue Passivhaus?


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