Low energy building design - recommended sites?

[kxi]

I've been naively scrabbling around this topic for a while and already have the envelope of a building mostly built, but the other day came across a new source of info with some surprises in, which made me wonder a) what else I've missed, b) how much of what I think I know about the topic is either wrong, outdated, or at least not the full story.

 

Clearly buildhub is useful, but what are additional sources of moderately detailed information, up to date with recent building science? E.g.

 

Building science corp

https://www.buildingscience.com/

great stuff

 

Green building forum

http://greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/

 

GBA

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/

Partly paywalled, but interesting insight into the US market - which is mainly timber frame and very experienced with it

 

UK PH trust

https://passivhaustrust.org.uk/guidance.php

The technical guidance is especially useful, but doesn't cover everything.

 

Passipedia & iPHA

https://passipedia.org/start

Limited info for non-members. Is anyone on the forum? Any good?

 

ACEB knowledge base

https://aecb.net/knowledgebase-archive/

(Membership required for most resources, never looked TBH)

 

Country-specific passivhaus orgs:

NZ

https://passivehouse.nz/hpcd-handbook/

(This handbook is good)

 

North US

https://naphnetwork.org/

(never looked)

 

Canada

https://www.passivehousecanada.com/

(found a couple of things)

 

Suppliers

I'm wary of info from suppliers but a couple of recent US timber frame ones with seemingly good info:

Hammer & hand

https://hammerandhand.com/best-practices/manual/

 

475

https://foursevenfive.com/

[JOE187]

    Good list I would add this magazine/website!!       https://passivehouseplus.co.uk/  Many thanks.

[SteamyTea]

11 hours ago, kxi said:

Green building forum

Ah  the other place.

Many if us are in both sites.

[SimonD]

On 30/12/2021 at 22:59, kxi said:

b) how much of what I think I know about the topic is either wrong, outdated, or at least not the full story.

 

I think this counts for quite a lot of building physics, much of which is still being investigated and not fully understood - just look at research into hygrothermal performance of building envelopes, for example. Basically, you just have to proceed on the basis of best current knowledge but be careful to separate the wheat from the chaff with good quality research and studies because as I've found, there's still a lot of myth and misunderstanding out there which is assumed to be evidence based truth. I was in your very situation 5 years ago where I thought I understood much more than I did, only to have found recently many of my assumptions were based on a lack of knowledge and understanding. I now tend to go straight to the research and horse's mouth so to speak as it often takes years for this info to filter out into the world, let alone be accepted and used.

 

What specifically have you found out that's troubled you?

[SteamyTea]

I think the physics us pretty basic for buildings.

It is the 'solutions' that are confusing, and often wrong.

Then add in a couple of layers of legislation, followed by manufacturer's warranties, then a builder's opinion, it surprising that we don't all live in rammed earth hovels with roofs made from stalks.