Gentoo uses PassivHaus standard for low-energy homes

Work has now officially begun on the construction of 28 revolutionary low energy homes in Houghton-le-Spring.
 
Sunderland based people and property business, Gentoo, is utilising the highly efficient, German PassivHaus standard, marking a step change for the UK building industry.

With this project, Gentoo is hoping to set a precedent for the design and construction of sustainable low, carbon homes throughout the UK.
 
The start on site was officially marked with a sod-cutting by Housing Minister, Iain Wright.

He showed his support for the innovative scheme:  “Homes account for a quarter of the country’s carbon emissions and one of the biggest long term challenges is how we build the extra homes we need to tackle affordability problems whilst also acting on climate change.

"The Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions in new homes and making them zero carbon from 2016. 
 
“Schemes like this are great examples of building much needed new housing to very high levels of sustainability, and are to be encouraged.”
 
The PassivHaus standard was first developed in Germany in 1996 and the benefit of PassivHaus is its simplicity.

The homes rely on passive solar gain and air tightness, super high standards of insulation as well as triple glazed, openable windows that are well sealed using a fabric that greatly reduces energy consumption.
 
To comply with PassivHaus guidelines, buildings must have a mechanical ventilation system installed that provides excellent air quality and highly efficient heat recovery.

As a result, the homes technically do not require radiators or any of the associated plumbing, and instead rely on a heater that is integrated into the ventilation system. 
 
Built with older residents in mind, it is estimated that using the PassivHaus method to construct a house results in an 80% reduction of carbon emissions compared to that of an average home.

Energy consumption within buildings that meet the PassivHaus standard is also significantly reduced, with savings estimated to be up to 85%. Moreover it is estimated the annual heating costs for one of these homes will only be in the region of £40.
 
Ian Porter, Managing Director of Gentoo Sunderland is pleased that these news homes will help reduce the cost of energy bills for customers that move in. 

He said: "This project gives us the opportunity to assist our customers with ever increasing fuel bills, which is especially tough in this difficult economic climate.
 
“We are also passionate about providing sustainable communities and as a Group we strive towards ‘giving the planet a little something back’. PassivHaus provides the perfect solution for our customers, our organisation and the planet.”
 
The PassivHaus standard requires a quality of build not normally utilised within the UK House Building Industry with stringent controls in place during every stage of construction to maximise thermal performance.

With this in mind Gentoo Construction the independent in-house contracting company of the Gentoo Group have been chosen to build the new homes and have been working in partnership with specialist consultants Dewjo’c Architects during every stage of the design process.
 
The 28 unit bungalow scheme is to be built at the Racecourse Estate in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear and is believed to be the first certified PassivHaus scheme of this scale in the UK.
 
The new homes are due for completion in December 2009.