SELFBUILD SURVEY: DELIVERING HIGH PERFORMANCE HOMES
What are your reasons for applying Passivhaus principles without seeking certifi cation?
THE POSITIVES OF PASSIVHAUS Of the combined who are aiming for full certifi cation or applying Passivhaus principles but not seeking certifi cation, we asked what their motivations are, with responses wide-ranging. e gave respondents a list of motivations, asking them to choose as many as are relevant. The most popular choice was ‘reduce energy bills/running costs’, which of respondents selected. Given the recent and ongoing increase in energy costs this is fairly unsurprising, with much of the UK aspiring to reduce energy bills. hile the other positive impacts of building a better performing home are undeniably more altruistic, it would perhaps be benefi cial for the industry to make self-builders more aware of the direct implications they themselves will benefi t from, rather than solely focusing on the wider mission. The next two most popular choices were ‘improve building
performance’ and futureproofi ng’, both of which were selected by 0 of respondents. These are both factors that can bring benefi ts to the self-builders, while also extending further – improving building performance means fewer carbon emissions, and futureproofi ng carries benefi ts for not only the self-builders but future homeowners. Only just behind was ‘improve home comfort level’ which of respondents selected – another motivation that benefi ts the homeowner more than having any wider environmental benefi ts. However, not far behind was reduce carbon footprint environmental impact’ which of participants selected, revealing an awareness and sense of responsibility to build in an environmentally friendly way. The fi nal option, which only of respondents selected, was improve health wellbeing’. The low number could be down to a lack of awareness of how a high performing home can positively impact health and wellbeing, through factors such as improved air uality.
PROS & CONS OF CERTIFICATION or self-builders, there can be both positive and negative reasons to pursue – or not – full Passivhaus certifi cation. hile it provides a guarantee that the home performs as intended
and designed, it can make the build more complicated from the start and make the process more rigorous. elf-builders will need to engage Passivhaus-certifi ed designers or consultants from the beginning, and the certifi cation process itself has a cost attached. However, it does provide the assurance many self-builders
desire, and enhances the overall credibility – and value – of the project. Of those seeking certifi cation, we asked what their reasons for doing so are. 0 of respondents said it’s to enhance project credibility’, and the remaining 0 said it’s to increase property value’. nterestingly, they didn’t select the other options provided – ‘quality assurance/reduce the risk of performance gaps’, independent verifi cation of performance’, and gain access to Passivhaus experts’.
vidently what matters to the self-builders themselves is the arguably more surface level advantages, rather than being concerned with whether the home actually performs as intended, though of course they will get that verifi cation anyway. t’s also somewhat surprising that some were enticed by the potential increase in property value – with most self- builders building a home to live in, it’s not often something they concern themselves with as they have no intention of selling. We then asked a similar question to those applying Passivhaus principles but not seeking certifi cation. esponses were more varied, though the most popular choice by far was that the benefi ts are achieved by applying principles i.e. certifi cation is unnecessary’, which 6 of relevant respondents selected. This is fairly unsurprising – the certifi cation process can be complicated and expensive which is naturally off-putting to self-builders, particularly with many working to a tight budget. t also reuires self-builders to engage more professionals in the project, in the form of a Passivhaus designer or consultant and a building certifi er. einforcing this view point, 2 said they want to avoid the additional costs reuired for a Passivhaus designer etc.’, proving that budget and costs are indeed a relevant factor. lso selected by 2 of respondents was certifi cation doesn’t add signifi cant value’ – contradicting the respondents who said their reason for seeking certifi cation was the added value. Perhaps
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