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candwarch
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland
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 Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 1:49 am Post subject: Passive House Design, Zero Carbon House Design |
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We are designing and building Passive houses and zero carbon homes in South West Scotland. We basically try and insulate to an overall u-value of 0.15Wmk or below for floor, walls and roof. The windows obviously wont achieve this, but we are using 0.7Wmk u-value Nordan N-tech passiv windows. The fact that we are also installing heat pumps is because you need to heat the spaces and water on the coldest winter days, regardless of the insulation standard, as we live in a very exposed environment in the West of Scotland. Even though in theory there should be no heating system required, it would be impossible to persuade a client to remove it. Also people love underfloor heat - its comfortable to the foot. Log burners etc add a focus to a living space too, even if not really needed. The terms 'passiv haus' or 'passive house' or 'zero carbon house' or other terms obviously define slightly different things but with the same principle. We adopt the principle of procuring the most energy efficient building and energy use possible within site/budget constraints and client requirements. However once built, we will be looking to get accreditation from the passiv haus standards and other forms of measuring the energy efficiency.
For example:
Passive House Design, Zero Carbon Homes
This house will have an air source heat pump, Heat recovery ventilation, a log stove, super insulation and air tight construction detailing with a wind turbine to generate all energy needs.
This is probably overkill in terms of system requirements but considering you can get grants for heat pumps it makes sense to install them as you wouldn't want to risk not having a heating system at all. Retro fitting would be impossible. We feel its about getting a balanced approach to each project.
Adam Winstanley |
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EdgTechDesign
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 6:42 am Post subject: Your post |
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I read your post and am wondering if this is simply for the purpose of discussion or if you’re looking for some advice on things you might consider in your quest to make this a zero-carbon home?
Through the use of technology I might be able to assist you with advice on automated systems which can aide you in your design by integration of Climate controls, lighting, window treatments, water systems, pumps, entertainment systems, motors, etc.
We also work closely with some companies who specialize in echo-friendly systems, building materials, coatings, etc. who could probably interject some information.
I just don't want to spend a lot of time on a rant if I don't understand if you're asking for help or simply telling us what you're doing.
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Chad Shell |
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candwarch
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 6:49 am Post subject: |
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I was trying to start a discussion on Zero carbon house design by explaining what we do in general terms. In describing our experiences in zero carbon house design and energy conscious design, we can learn a lot. We are very busy in Scotland, UK working on several projects adopting this approach.
We normally do an 'building energy use analysis' on each design to get the technology systems right. |
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 2174
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: |
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I think this is a fairly difficult topic to discuss in general because low energy design is extremely site specific.
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http://bcshdb.blogspot.com >
The B/CS Home Design Blog |
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candwarch
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 2:00 am Post subject: |
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Yes, the site constraints are very important when considering a building's energy strategy. We are based in a rural area of South West Scotland so tend to have sites that are individual plots of land or part of farmland that can be difficult to connect to any main services. This is exactly why we must be experts of the technology required to run independently or self sufficient services. Having said that, we find it is advantageous to get electricity from the grid even if using micro generation. This means power can be sent back to the grid the dwelling has a better backup than storing power which is very expensive.
In general terms we have found that a wind turbine can pay for its capital cost in 3-4 years. Solar PV has a much longer payback period - as much as 20 years. However solar requires less maintenance and can be installed in most situations.
In heating we find that Air source heat pumps can be used in most situations if the client is willing to provide a little extra capital for installation which of coarse there are grants available too. The savings on bills depend on what you are comparing it to. In a city or town situation where mains gas is available then the payback period can be as much as 14 years. However when comparing to LPG, payback times for the extra capital can be 3 years. This varies all the time because of the price of oil/gas/energy fluctuating so much. However I believe a heat pump is a great investment in the long term.
Does anyone have any similar experiences of costs? |
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EdgTechDesign
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:17 am Post subject: |
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I think we have something to talk about.
I have a couple of builders I know who have expressed intertest in moving their business to more of a niche' by being the 1st on the ares they build in to consider these type of home. One in particular; while he knows very little about this niche'; is interested in becoming the "expert" in the region on these kinds of homes. Perhaps Zero Carb is not his focus however I think this would be quite interesting to him.
I am also connected with some developers who are developing hi-end "Green" neighborhoods as well as some companies who manufacture &/or distribute products for use in the construction process of low-carbon & sustainable homes & buildings.
I personally have interest in getting more invovled in the construction business by partnering with those visionaries who are interested developing & building neighborhoods that are low carbon, off-the-grid, hi-tech... yet affordable to people in my income bracket... which seems to still remain the big disconnect. While I want to make money in such an endevour, I am less concerned about getting rich and more concerned with an eco-friendly environment that should not be denied to someone because they can't afford it. Such a neighborhood also lends itself to being full of the technology which I'm quite passionate about.
Obviously; at least in the US; the housing market is still quite weak, however I am seing signs of movement; at least regionally where we're located. The housing starts I'm seeing are either the extremely affluent consumer (because they know they can build the home now for less than they will likely be able to build it for in the future because contractors are hungry), or someopne who really wasn't looking to build in this economy but have decided to because they know the interest rates are not going to remain as low as they are now for very long.
A little bit about me; I am an Electronics Systems Designer who focuses exclusively on residential applications. I not only handle design & specification of components & how they get integrated together but I also am very involved with the interior design of certain spaces in the home.
In house we handle Interior Design, Lighting Design/Specification of Lighting, Electronic Systems Design, System Implimentation, Peer Review & Project Management of other firms (if a client is using our design & elects to have us oversee the integrator they choose).
If you are not familiar with these systems, they tend to get a bit pricy; thus we tend to have a certain type of client we work with on a regular basis_ of which includes a couple of general contractors who build extremely high-end homes with clients who appreciate detail.
Long story short, I think from a buisness networking standpoint we are working with the same type of client base and could likely both benefit from developing a relationship with each other. If you are in agreement we can perhaps discuss in a bit more detail our businesses & explore how we might be able to work with each other.
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candwarch
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:25 am Post subject: |
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EdgTechDesign,
Thank you for your post. I am not sure how we may be able to collaborate on projects with you as we are Architects based in South West Scotland, UK. You can see what we do on our website if you wish:
www.candwarch.co.uk - Passive House Design, Zero Carbon Homes
All our projects are local to our region and obviously it would be logistically impossible for you to be involved in a site if you are based in the US.
However I am always interested in hearing of other experiences in the ever changing world of green/sustainable technology involved in Zero carbon and passive house design.
We are also involved with developers and clients who are more and more interested in the building of sustainable homes and communities. Some projects are at the higher end of cost, but more and more clients are interested in affordable energy efficient construction. For example, we find that super insulating a building to 'Passive Standards' (0.15WmK) typically only adds around 1% of the contract cost to the build. This makes commercial sense as well as being better for the environment.
I would be interested in hearing about your experience across the pond.
Adam.
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 2174
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:04 am Post subject: |
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I live in a place where cooling is needed much more than heating so the requirements for a home are very different. The efficiency of wind turbines for example vary by how much wind energy is available at a given site. If everyone got a four year payback of the primary investment they would probably be foolish to not fully exploit wind energy.
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http://bcshdb.blogspot.com >
The B/CS Home Design Blog |
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candwarch
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:08 am Post subject: |
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Csintexas,
Thats interesting, you have the opposite problem to us here in Scotland. An air source heat pump that we use here to heat all year round is basically the same technology as air conditioning unit but working in reverse.
There are heat pumps that supply cooling as well as heating. I'm not sure if they would be suitable to Texas climate but I know a company - Genvex manufacture a product that may be suitable:
http://www.genvex.co.uk/genvex-enhanced.asp
Having a whole house heat recovery system that constantly brings in fresh air and cools it also, sounds like a good option for Texas houses. The house would need to be designed to be as air tight as possible and have good thermal mass on the insulated (warm) part of the construction. This would mean less energy is required to heat and cool the building.
In Texas, I'm sure solar water heating will be the normal way of getting hot water all year round, since the sun is abundant.
Since all your requirements could be met by electric means, it would make sense to invest in micro generation if possible. As you say it depends on the site. We find wind is cheapest option, hydro is great if you have a river, and solar PV is very expensive. We actually use USA Energy Department designed wind turbines - http://www.skystreamenergy.com
Are you building your own house?
Adam.
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