PASSIVHAUS CONSTRUCTION

Scheme Overview: We are building this scheme on behalf of Linc Cymru Housing Association, the development will consist of; 34 flats and 4 general needs mid terrace houses. The development will also include an outdoor fitness area and edible elements within the landscaping to further improve residents’ health.

The fitness equipment will also have the ability to charge a mobile phone. Residents will be encouraged to actively participate in these activities by working with local community groups who specialise in improving fitness.

The innovation element to the scheme centres on construction techniques to achieve Passivhaus certification.

About Passivhaus: We are building some of the first Passivhaus homes using traditional building methods for Linc-Cymru in Caerphilly. Passivhaus is a leading international low-energy design standard. A building which is Passivhaus requires comfortable temperature regulation from only the heating and cooling of the fresh air flow into the home. This produces a very low energy and low carbon home.

How does Passivhaus work?
Passivhaus works by using very high levels of insulation and a draught free construction to ensure no heat is lost from the home. In order to heat the home a ventilation and heat recovery system takes moist warm air from rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom and uses the heat to warm fresh air from outside. This warm, fresh air is then ventilated to other rooms. Water from the moist air is expelled ensuring high indoor air quality.

Passivhaus is also heated by the aspect and roof design, ensuring the sun enters through windows in the winter, heating the home, but is shaded in summer keeping the house cool.

What are the benefits of Passivhaus?
Passivhaus homes have many benefits including a regular and comfortable year-round temperature, high indoor air quality, quiet (due to high insulation), efficient with low running costs helping to alleviate fuel poverty and are built to a high quality.

What is the significance of Total Regeneration and Linc Cymru building to a Passivhaus standard using traditional building techniques?
Passivhaus homes on scale are often built using modular techniques. Using traditional building techniques is more affordable and can provide a model for which Passivhaus homes can be built at scale, helping to fight climate change and support the push to net zero emissions by 2050.

The Welsh Government have declared a climate emergency. We have to act now to mitigate and adapt to the challenges ahead for our children and ourselves. Passivhaus homes help toward this by being both highly energy efficient and needing very low energy to heat the home. They also maintain a very constant comfortable temperature through temperature extremes which will increase with climate change.