New Build - Advice on everything!

insular1

I want to start a thread with details of a new build I aim to be starting next year with the hope that some more experienced boards members will chime in and let me know if I'm doing anything completely stupid! I've read loads of boards posts and the forum charter so hope there is no issue in doing this.

My aim is to update with progress reports/pictures as I go along.

Story so far is was given a site in the south east by my dad and hired an arch tech to do the plans, percolation tests and site assessment stuff. Submitted a planning application, got a request for further information on some minor landscape details, resubmitted and are due to hear back from the council next week. Fairly confident we'll get it having spoken to the council planner about it before resubmitting but still keeping everything crossed.

I have a background in engineering (nothing structural related unfortunately) and have an interest in the the details and the more I read the more interested I am getting so Im reading as much forums/manuals/articles as I can (suggestions for more reading material very welcome!)

Plan is a 2500sq ft storey and a half. Wanted to go for a Passive build but that was before I had any idea of what that entailed so now being more realistic I am just aiming for house as well insulated and air tight as I can get it.

So for this first post Im hoping to get some information about professionals Ill need during the build. So far I have the arch tech and am considering retaining him for the duration of the project given my limited construction experience. Other professionals I think I will need or really want:

- BER assessor or a guy who can do a PHPP/DEAP assessment
- Structural Engineer (considering a concrete upper floor and the roof is complicated so would like someone to sign off on this)
- QS to work with the arch tech on tender drawings, specifications and pricing
- Airtightness testing company (have a lot more reading to do on this but feel like it would be a good investment)

Any suggestions on if I have missed any important professions/trades in the above list or if I could do without some of them would be appreciated! Also if anyone has any recommendations for any of the above practising in the south east can you PM me their details. Sorry for the very long post!

tradesman

How about a good builder! LOL. I wish you well with your soon to be new house

insular1

Thanks! I have identified a few builders locally that I will be submitting out to tender for once the tender pack is sorted. Would it be worthwhile contacting them earlier or are they like to be uninterested until I have a tender pack ready?

Also looking at timber frame providers but most people I talk to are leaning towards blocks now. Even a friend of the family who is involved in construction and was mad about timber frame houses when he built his about 10 years ago has completely u-turned on them and says the block standards are now just as good, and likely cheaper. I think his timberframe is passive standard but not certified but he feels the expense wasn't worth it now with 10years experience of living in the house.

insular1

Also another question for anyone who might know about MHRV systems. Aforementioned family friend built his house with loads of passive ideas in mind regarding most glazing facing south, airtightness etc but now finds in the summer if the sun comes out the house gets uncomfortably warm so he has to open windows, doors etc. I have read a lot of posts on here saying that that defeats the purpose of MHRV. So 2 questions I guess, first does this actually defeat the purpose of MHRV and second is there a way to prevent this?

mike_2009

PHPP will identify risk of overheating - this is the software used to design a passive house, was this done? Evening sun can be a big problem in summer extending the heating hours and reducing the cooling ones normally available.

Solutions are various shading options (external blinds, brieze soleil, trees etc) to reduce amount of solar gain, different e-coating on the glass, smaller windows to south etc.

Opening windows and doors is fine, there's a summer bypass mode in most MHRV systems anyway. Just a pity if it's happening regularly as if the external temps are higher than the internal ones it's only going to make the comfort levels worse! I see MHRV more about maintaining good air quality and temperature but if windows are unbalancing that then it's time to consult a professional! Passive House Designer certified would be best.....or you can do a 3 day course in PHPP yourself and work out whats needed to reduce the overheating risk.

insular1

Can I do the PHPP course even if I have no experience/qualifications in the construction field? If so where would I find out about these courses?

mike_2009

Sure - I'll PM you the details, there was meant to be one this week but it was cancelled - they hold a few a year. Open to anyone. There are other courses for Tradesmen an Architects but the PHPP is more accessible and might be worth doing to give you an insight into your build from an energy perspective.

BryanF

insular1 wrote: »

Also another question for anyone who might know about MHRV systems. Aforementioned family friend built his house with loads of passive ideas in mind regarding most glazing facing south, airtightness etc but now finds in the summer if the sun comes out the house gets uncomfortably warm so he has to open windows, doors etc. I have read a lot of posts on here saying that that defeats the purpose of MHRV. So 2 questions I guess, first does this actually defeat the purpose of MHRV and second is there a way to prevent this?

So your friends house is over heating? Add some solar shading. F'all to do with Mvhr.

Edit:Mvhr is to stop the warm air leaving out through natural ventilation in winter.

When you get your BER done, you'll know what required.

insular1

Just thought if the HRV is recovering the heat generated internally it could be contributing to the elevated temperature? I think he has planted some specific trees to increase shading but it'll be a few years before theyre big enough to be effective.

Also a local block layer was telling me he was working on a passive house and when it was done the owner was very happy but his only issue was that when local farmers were spreading slurry the HRV pulled the smell into the house really badly. Any truth in this and if so any way to avoid it? Thanks for the reply!

Fayre

insular1 wrote: »

Also another question for anyone who might know about MHRV systems. Aforementioned family friend built his house with loads of passive ideas in mind regarding most glazing facing south, airtightness etc but now finds in the summer if the sun comes out the house gets uncomfortably warm so he has to open windows, doors etc. I have read a lot of posts on here saying that that defeats the purpose of MHRV. So 2 questions I guess, first does this actually defeat the purpose of MHRV and second is there a way to prevent this?

A friend of mine has a HRV system with no summer bypass (was installed 6 years ago). In the summer he turns the HRV off and just opens windows instead. He has Tilt n Turn windows installed with fly screens over them (on the outside) and they are located at the corners of the house so in summer they are left open all the time and that creates a nice cross breeze across the living area. I'm going to do the same in my house and placed Tilt n Turn windows at strategic locations which I will put fly screens on.

My HRV system has a summer by pass though which his doesn't. A summer by pass means that in summer the HRV will pull in air from outisde, it will not be heated by the outgoing air it will just be pumped into the house as-is.
As for the slurry smell, you could turn the HRV off and just use windows for ventalation if there is slurry being spread, it might lessen the effect

insular1

Hi all, is there anywhere I can find a list of registered PHPP assessors in Ireland? Or is there such a thing? Google gives me a few names of people saying they can do a PHPP assessment but without any way to see if they are actually qualified to do it.