Synopses & Reviews
The Passivhaus Handbook is an essential guide for everyone wanting to realize a supremely comfortable, healthy and durable home with exceptionally low energy costs. Whether you are building an extension, renovating your house or starting from scratch; and are new to low-energy design or already have some experience, this book will help you navigate the potential pitfalls and misconceptions. It brings together current thinking and best practices.Passivhaus design focuses first on getting the building fabric right, to achieve ultra-low energy consumption in the most cost-effective manner. The approach is relevant to a wide range of building types and climates, not just to special structures. Passivhaus methodology can be combined with elements of other building standards, such as the UK's Code for Sustainable Homes, or with other goals, such as a commitment to use low-impact and natural building materials.This book includes:
- A clear explanation of the underlying physics of building
- Detailed information on key elements: avoiding air leakiness, designing out thermal (cold) bridges, moisture management and ventilation strategy
- Tips for creating a cooperative, motivated project team
- Photographs and diagrams throughout
With steeply rising energy prices, uncertain climatic changes and tightened economic times, the Passivhaus approach, proven over 20 years, offers a timely and practical response.
Review
“I'm delighted to see everything about Passivhaus and its application in the UK, collated for the first time, in The Passivhaus Handbook. The firsthand experience of the authors provides an excellent grounding for the book.” —Jon Bootland, chief executive, Passivhaus Trust
Synopsis
'As we move towards the 2016 zero carbon target in house building, Passivhaus construction looks like becoming not just popular in the UK, but commonplace. This is a no-nonsense and engaging introduction on how to do it.' Kevin McCloud
The Passivhaus Handbook is an essential guide for anyone wanting to realise a supremely comfortable, healthy and durable home with exceptionally low energy costs. Passivhaus design focuses on getting the building fabric right, to achieve ultra-low energy consumption in the most cost-effective manner. The approach is relevant to a wide range of building types and climates.
Passivhaus methodology can be combined with elements of other building standards, such as the UK's Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), or with other sustainable building goals, such as a commitment to using low-impact or natural building materials.
Whether you are building an extension, retrofitting your house or starting from scratch, and whether you are new to low-energy design or already have some experience, this book will help you navigate around the potential pitfalls and misconceptions. It brings together current thinking and best practice.
The book includes:
- A clear explanation of the underlying building physics and terminology.
Detailed information on key elements of Passivhaus: avoiding air leakage, designing out thermal (cold) bridges, moisture management and ventilation strategy. - Practical advice on setting up a project, including developing a motivated project team.
- A discussion of economic considerations and the policy context in the UK.
As pressure on global resources increases and energy prices continue to rise, the Passivhaus approach, proven over 20 years, meets the challenge of ultra-low-energy building for the future.
Synopsis
An essential guide for anyone wanting to realize a supremely comfortable, healthy, and durable home with exceptionally low energy costs, this book brings together current thinking and best practice in Passivhaus design. This type of design focuses on getting the building fabric right, to achieve ultralow energy consumption in the most cost-effective manner. The approach is relevant to a wide range of building types and climates. Whether you are building an extension, retrofitting your house or starting from scratch, and whether you are new to low-energy design or already have some experience, this book will help you navigate around the potential pitfalls and misconceptions. The book includes a clear explanation of the underlying building physics and terminology; detailed information on key elements of Passivhaus: avoiding air leakage, designing out thermal (cold) bridges, moisture management, and ventilation strategy. It offers practical advice on setting up a project, including developing a motivated project team, and a discussion of economic considerations and the policy context in the UK. As pressure on global resources increases and energy prices continue to rise, the Passovhaus approach, proven over 20 years, meets the challenge of ultralow-energy building for the future.
About the Author
Adam Dadeby and Janet Cotterell are directors of Passivhaus Homes Ltd., which has recently completed one of the very few fully Certified Passivhaus retrofits in the UK.
Janet is a licensed architect with over 25 years' experience. She is also a certified Passivhaus Designer and holds an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies. Janet has a history of working in sensitive settings (conservation areas, listed buildings, historic parks) and therefore is familiar with the use of traditional and natural materials. Adam is a certified Passivhaus Consultant and member of the AECB (the Sustainable Building Association) and holds a Dip. Arch in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). Adam Dadeby and Janet Cotterell are directors of Passivhaus Homes Ltd., which has recently completed one of the very few fully Certified Passivhaus retrofits in the UK.
Janet is a licensed architect with over 25 years' experience. She is also a certified Passivhaus Designer and holds an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies. Janet has a history of working in sensitive settings (conservation areas, listed buildings, historic parks) and therefore is familiar with the use of traditional and natural materials. Adam is a certified Passivhaus Consultant and member of the AECB (the Sustainable Building Association) and holds a Dip. Arch in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT).