sustainable buildings & energy management


Minimising thermal bridging and


ensuring air-tightness in the building were other critical factors that helped to achieve Passivhaus. Greengauge drew up two- dimensional models of proposed key junctions using the THERM software to analyse heat transfer and to evaluate any potential problems with condensation and moisture risk.


hot water and ventilation Hot water demand at the Barrel Store was anticipated to be high given its hostel use. Greengauge specified a direct gas-fired water heater that heats a 370-litre cylinder, which supplies approximately 40 showers in two hours. Some of this heat is diverted into space heating when needed. A small 10kw plate heat exchanger takes heat from the cylinder and sends it around the hostel’s small radiator circuit. Mechanical ventilation is provided via two


mechanical ventilation units (PHI certified) mounted in the loft space, serving the left and right halves of the building. Each typical bedroom is ventilated as a ‘closed cell’ with supply into the bedroom and extract from the en-suite WC/shower, to avoid acoustic issues with air transfer through the bedroom door. Ventilation is demand- controlled based on relative humidity. There


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is also natural ventilation via windows. The energy efficiency of the hostel means


the client should use less than 50 per cent of the energy of a traditional construction. “This is a unique building in many


respects. The heritage makes it unusual, and it is rare for such a heritage building to be upgraded to EnerPHit. The retrofit elements presented major challenges, but we had a relatively blank canvas to start


with,” says Cambray. “We were really excited to see the project


come to fruition – it’s a great addition to Cirencester and the county. The enerphit status is a bonus and hopefully the success of our project will be a pilot for more projects like this in the future.”


www.ggbec.co.uk www.pch-a.com


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