Passiv v NZEB

deerpark

Hi,

We hope to build a new house next year.
We want to build to the NZEB standard which will become defacto in 2021.
Does anyone know if it's possible to test that a built house has achieved this standard - i.e. hold the builder to account for achieving it?

DP

BryanF

Yes. Your arch will write passive or NZEB/BER rating & air-tightness/insulation levels, into the tender specification, which can form part of the contract documents, to be carried out by the builder, tested by a third party to the satisfaction of the arch

Metric Tensor

Bear in mind that it will need to be designed as an NZEB or "passive" building from the start by your designer.

You can't just give the builder drawings of any house and write "must be NZEB" on top of it. The designer will specify what needs to be done to achieve the appropriate rating - not the builder. But you can then hold him to account if he does not meet the agreed spec.

kingbhome

What is a NZEB house

Gumbo

kingbhome wrote: »

What is a NZEB house

Near Zero Energy Building

https://phai.ie/info/passive-house-nearly-zero-energy-buildings/

BryanF

Near zero energy building IN USE

In my opinion,

I think we should be looking at embodied energy of materials, transport links and the house size as part of any ‘NZEB’ standard.

the imminent non-domestic part L will be the one to watch.

Angry bird

Cost benefit analysis?

deerpark

thanks to everyone here
in some respects cost benefit is not relevant given it will become the required standard in 2-3 years time

a few building manufacturers have shown in figures that a passive can be built for the price of today's building regulations
it involves compromise - e.g. why have a large heating system when a small one will do? why extend underfloor to upstairs when heating is not needed up there. This saves on cost which can be put into the house to make it more energy efficient.

there is also plenty of evidence to show very low energy bills
https://passivehouseplus.ie/magazine/new-build

the challenge I am finding is getting energy consultants to help design and finding builders with experience. many builders still think its way more expensive to do passive or NZEB. they also start with that statement and I think its a front for they don't have the confidence and skills to deliver.

BryanF

deerpark wrote: »

the challenge I am finding is getting energy consultants to help design and finding builders with experience. many builders still think its way more expensive to do passive or NZEB. they also start with that statement and I think its a front for they don't have the confidence and skills to deliver.

I find it hard to believe you are struggling to get designers to work with you. Have you contacted anyone on this list http://www.passivhausplaner.eu/mitgliederdatenbank.php

ht9zni1gs28crp

deerpark wrote: »

thanks to everyone here
in some respects cost benefit is not relevant given it will become the required standard in 2-3 years time

a few building manufacturers have shown in figures that a passive can be built for the price of today's building regulations
it involves compromise - e.g. why have a large heating system when a small one will do? why extend underfloor to upstairs when heating is not needed up there. This saves on cost which can be put into the house to make it more energy efficient.

there is also plenty of evidence to show very low energy bills
https://passivehouseplus.ie/magazine/new-build

the challenge I am finding is getting energy consultants to help design and finding builders with experience. many builders still think its way more expensive to do passive or NZEB. they also start with that statement and I think its a front for they don't have the confidence and skills to deliver.

You are correct in the fact that money spent up front on design, design, design for a Passive house will be saved in material and labour over a traditional build. Such as plumbing for heating upstairs etc. Each project will be different though. I cant reiterate enough how important a good design and good construction design can help your build go smoothly during the construction phase. Other factors such as no chimneys will save build costs....

I too find it hard to believe that you are struggling to find someone to design it from the start, are you looking in the right places? A lot of 'energy consultants' may not have the full passive house experience. Also the guys who do it well will be in demand. As are the experienced builders.

Lots of pre-thought is needed in planning a Passive House/NZEB which a lot of it needs to be done before Planning Permission is even attempted. For example, the simple location of a building on a plot can influence passive design. Lots of people are unwilling to take this risk although me personally have experience that planners will welcome a passive/NZEB design landing on their desk.