This blog post explores Building Energy Experts’ role in air tightness testing for the UK’s first Passivhaus Premium house, featured on Grand Designs.
Grand Designs Passive House Premium
We were recently featured on the renowned Grand Designs!
The episode showcases an inspiring Passive House Premium project — set to become the first of its kind in the UK — highlighting innovation in sustainable housing and the future of sustainable living. Our team was honoured to contribute our Passivhaus airtightness testing expertise to this ambitious build.
This project, nestled in the North Cotswolds, represents a significant step forward for eco-friendly homebuilding in the UK, and we’re proud to have helped Duncan and Liz bring their vision to life. Their challenge aligns perfectly with our commitment to pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency in construction.
The Passivhaus Promise: What is a Passive House Premium?
Passive House (or Passivhaus) is an internationally recognised standard for energy efficiency in buildings, originally developed in Germany. The standard focuses on achieving exceptional airtightness and insulation to minimise energy consumption and maximise comfort. Passive House offers multiple certification levels:
- Passivhaus Classic: A foundational level, emphasising airtight construction and insulation, and minimal reliance on heating/cooling systems.
- Passivhaus Plus: Goes beyond Classic by adding renewable energy generation, allowing the home to produce as much energy as it consumes.
- Passivhaus Premium: The most demanding level, exceeding Plus by requiring the home to generate significantly more energy than it uses, with the potential to feed excess energy back into the grid.
Why Airtightness Testing is Essential for a Passive House Premium
For any Passive House build, airtightness is key to meeting the stringent energy efficiency standards. During certification, the building undergoes rigorous air leakage testing to ensure compliance. Air tightness testing ensures the building envelope (walls, roof, floor) is as close to leak-proof as possible. The careful sealing of the building envelope minimises drafts, heat loss, and reliance on heating systems — all critical for the Passive House Premium standard.
Our team’s extensive experience with air tightness testing prepared us to meet the exacting standards of this project.
Passivhaus Air Tightness Testing the Grand Designs Project: Raising Standards for Eco-Conscious Living
In this ambitious project, our team was entrusted with a key role: ensuring the airtight integrity required to achieve this ambitious certification. Led by our Managing Director, Jack Allen — a seasoned expert in building energy solutions — our team performed thorough blower door air tests, meticulously assessing and sealing every corner of the structure. This rigorous process confirmed the home’s compliance with Passive House Premium standards, showcasing our dedication to precision and quality in energy-efficient construction.
As the episode unfolds, viewers witness how airtightness testing contributes not only to Passive House certification but also supports a larger vision of sustainable living. This project showcases the potential of sustainable construction, with viewers witnessing the intersection of cutting-edge technology and environmental responsibility. Our role in ensuring the Passivhaus’ airtight integrity not only contributed to the success of the project, but also underscores the importance of energy-efficient building practices and the impact they can have on eco-conscious living.
For eco-conscious viewers and builders alike, the project offers a firsthand look at the benefits of advanced energy-efficient practices. By ensuring airtight integrity, our team help show what’s possible in sustainable construction, supporting our clients in creating homes that not only meet but exceed energy efficiency goals.
What’s Next?
Our feature on Grand Designs with the UK’s first Passive House Premium was a proud moment, highlighting our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable building. As we continue to champion these values, we look forward to more opportunities to showcase how our building energy experts are shaping the future of sustainable construction. We’re always eager to support others on their energy efficiency journeys.
Ready to build a super-efficient Passivhaus home? Let us help you reach the highest levels of energy efficiency. Get in touch today to discuss your project and get a quote for our air tightness testing services.
Curious about energy efficiency for your home? If you’re inspired by Grand Designs but aren’t ready to build from scratch, we can still help you make meaningful upgrades in your existing home. Our air tightness testing and other home energy assessments identify easy-to-implement improvements that boost comfort and reduce energy bills. Contact us to explore what’s possible for your home!
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