41
homes. This is equivalent to 14%, so what’s holding back Passivhaus? Overcoming challenges One of the biggest challenges facing Passivhaus adoption in the UK is a lack of awareness and understanding. Existing sustainability and energy rating systems in the UK, including the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Energy Performance Passivhaus is overlooked. Many local authorities have adopted
polices that encourage BREEAM mandated requirement in some areas for certain types of projects. This can mean that, in many cases, BREEAM becomes the default choice for new builds and refurbishments, limiting any review of other possibilities and standards. Confusion can also restrict consideration of Passivhaus. The standard can be wrongly perceived as being purely duplicate time and effort with another standard? The government’s Warm Home Plan and the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund create opportunity to overcome
Passivhaus challenges. BREEAM is not a mandatory requirement of funding, and eligibility criteria strongly focuses on decarbonisation, as well as addressing fuel poverty. If the building performance criteria linked to funding allocation could be reviewed to incentivise long-term performance improvements in excess of the current ‘EPC C’ targets, then a more holistic of existing homes. This would also projects, avoiding a phased and piecemeal approach to improvement Day One. Fortunately the link between housing standards and tenant satisfaction and wellbeing are high on the government’s agenda. Delivering in all of these areas could prompt a review of existing approaches to new a willingness to deviate from more traditional strategies. Seizing this opportunity to consider
alternative approaches, including Passivhaus, will require closer collaboration from the outset of housing projects. Local authorities have to balance many different pressures and consider varying factors, which become
increasingly complex when tenants have to remain in place during housing upgrades. Tendering can become disjointed and restrict the ability to properly review new suggestions and solutions. Collaboration helps bring together different goals, can avoid losing time during projects, and proves crucial to sharing knowledge and having more informed conversations about what’s possible. Encouragingly, there are positive
examples of local authorities embracing Passivhaus. We’re working with Cambridge City Council on a pilot project underway, allowing occupants to remain insulation, photovoltaics and air sourced heat pumps. The pilot supports the Council’s goal
success of projects such as this, which and reduce emissions and heating costs, will help to promote awareness and adoption of Passivhaus among local authorities nationwide.
WA243
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
