Rainham provides low running costs to those who need them
Maybe it is Cold Homes Week (3-7 Feb 2014), that is bringing these issues to attention, but Passivhaus projects are again catching headlines with their capabilities and potential of being part of the solution to reducing fuel poverty.
Circle Housing’s affordable scheme in Rainham, was recently featured in RIBA Journal with a focus that sustainable homes can be made available to those who need low running costs most, and many see the Passivhaus approach as the best way to achieve environmental and social goals.
‘Faced with either paying the rent or keeping warm, many social tenants will be tempted to choose the latter, leading them into arrears. This gives social landlords an incentive to introduce energy saving measures when building new homes.’ Amanda Birch - Architects- Journal.
With long term solutions in mind, Circle Housing were keen use a fabric first approach as energy bills are reduced for its tenants and building energy efficient houses will reduce the need for retrofitting in the future. The Rainham scheme will be delivered as 100% affordable and the whole development will achieve Passivhaus standard.
Read the full article here.
Involving Passivhaus Consultants, WARM, at pre-planning stage was imperative to meeting the Passivhaus standard as they could influence key changes regarding massing and orientation, and also advise on complying with the PHPP pre-assessment. This result in design tweakes such as a simpler building form and halving the number of windows on front elevations to reduce glazing by 30%, which also shortened the linear dimension of frame – the weakest point in terms of thermal conductivity. These small changes can make a huge impact on energy and building comfort.
Sally Godber of WARM, predicts the largest houses net floor area of 114m2, will typically use 1,700 kW per year, resulting in bills of £100/annum for heating.
The scheme is on site and expected to be complete by summer 2014. Warm will continue to monitor its progress.
Further Information:
6th February 2014
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