LakeDistrictEugene

Thanks. Good practical advice.

I'm sure that's true today, but I'm talking about (say) 25 years from now. And I accept it's only a theory. As awareness of the benefits grow, and PH or near-PH becomes more mainstream, then having certification could add value. How about we check back in 2050 and see? ? PS. There was a time when having PV on your roof allegedly reduced the value of your property, but that particular nonsense has been consigned to the dustbin.

Hi @JamesP Yeah, maybe longer term I think certification might easily claw its fee back in added value, especially if climate change really starts to show its claws and building standards are forcefully raised by the government. Although, that said, if house performance was properly monitored (temps, energy demands, etc.) that would surely be sufficient evidence for a potential buyer. And your realised DHW and heating requirement matches our modelled values quite closely, which is good confirmation (we're 233m2).

We're going with a timber-frame build solution with cellulose insulation, fabricated offsite by local specialists. Small ASHP for UFH with maybe some infrared panels for rapid top-up if required, Mixergy DHW cylinder, lots of PV and a grid-tied battery. A fairly traditional gabled design as we're in the Lake District National Park and didn't want to freak out the LDNPA planners. Current 1950 house is freezing in winter and boiling in summer (excessive unshaded glazing facing south). Can't wait to be comfy all year round! I'd be interested in why you didn't go for certification. It seems like a useful third-party check on performance.

Thanks, to you and all who've answered so far. I was thinking of giving stuff away in the hope of it having a second life, but it does sound like even that might be problematic. What I really need is to stumble across a fellow self-builder on a micro budget who can make use of all the stuff ...

Hello, My wife and I have just secured planning permission for a demolition and rebuild of our current 1950s house to Passive House standard. We have a great architect and are looking forward to the construction starting in the summer. Phase one is to build a two-car garage with granny annexe over. In Phase Two we relocate into that while the main house is taken down and rebuilt. In Phase Three we link the two buildings. That's the plan anyway. We'll be salvaging and reusing the roof slates, and some of the exterior stonework. We also hope to keep the rubble on-site and use that to form a terraced garden area (it's a sloping site). But my first big question to the forum gurus would be how best to go about salvaging other useful material from the current house. The house itself is not in great shape, and has no architectural merit, but it seems a terrible shame to skip some of the interior fixtures and fittings, such as: radiators flooring wood panelling (yes, really!) loads of double-glazed windows, including some big ones a velux window interior doors staircase toilets We wondered whether there are any charities or organisations who will rip stuff like this out prior to the house actually being torn down, and then sell on the salvaged goods? Architectural salvage yards? Any advice/suggestions welcome. Eugene & Jana

Hello, I've been perusing this very useful forum for a while now as a guest, but thought it best to take the plunge and sign up. My wife and I have, literally today, secured planning permission to rebuild our 1950 property to the Passive House standard. As a result, I'll be looking for advice on many self-build issues, as well as hopefully giving something back by sharing what we learn along the way. So far I've been looking into Sunamp heat batteries (brilliant idea but I think I'll wait until the tech matures) and the Mixergy DHW cylinder (looks like a winner). All the best, Eugene & Jana