Description

These 7 terraced homes constitute the world’s first commercially available straw eco-homes. Behind the traditional brick elevation of the development is a state of the art, well insulated, prefabricated, low-carbon straw bale construction system: the BM Trada Q Mark certified ModCell Core system.

The homes include individual Passivhaus certified Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units for good indoor air quality and minimal energy loss. Thermal comfort is provided through high levels of thermal insulation, double-glazed argon-filled low-e windows with “warm edge” spacers between the glazing and PVC frames, reduced thermal bridges, and reduced air leakage through the envelope. Individual air source heat pump units provide space heating and hot water generation. Each home is fitted with a 2.2 kWp grid-tied solar PV array, A++ appliances and broad-spectrum LED lighting.

Passivhaus consultancy included PHPP energy simulation and performance optimisation, and thermal envelope design. M&E engineering included heating and DHW production with an air-source heat pump, together with ducted mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

Description

Passivhaus consultancy and M & E engineering design for the deep retrofit of a single-family home, certified to Passivhaus EnerPHit Component Method, and VERDE. Healthy bio-based materials have been used as far as possible, including sprayed cellulose internal wall insulation, clay boards for dry lining (instead of gypsum plasterboard), and clay paints. The extension, built on the top floor of the house, is made of prefabricated lightweight timber-frame panels with wood fibre insulation. The final “Blower Door” airtightness test achieved N50 = 0.99 ach. Construction details were looked at in detail during design phase to reduce and eliminate thermal bridges.

Passivhaus consultancy included PHPP energy simulation and performance optimisation, thermal envelope design, advice regarding bio-based materials, passive strategies to combat summer overheating, thermal bridge calculations, and dynamic hygrothermal simulation with WUFI to assess and eliminate the risk of moisture damage.

HVAC design included an air-source heat pump for heating, cooling and DHW production, ducted mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and an underfloor heating and cooling system with dehumidification. All services were integrated and controlled with Loxone home automation system.

Solgetic has installed the home automation system and programmed the integration of all services on the system. Energy certification and compliance verification with the Spanish Building Regulations CTE HE0 & HE1 was carried out, achieving a class “A” certification.