Gale & Snowden Building Performance Evaluation - Knights Place Final Report (Phase 2 Studies)

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Building(Performance(Evaluation( Final(report( Domestic(Buildings( Phase(2:(In<use(performance(and(post(occupancy(evaluation( Sub(title(line(1( ( Technology*Strategy*Board*BPE*ref*no:*

15246<91194(

Project*title:*

Knights(Place(Passivhaus(Housing(for(Exeter(City(Council(

Lead*organisation*name:*

Gale(&(Snowden(Architects(

Number*of*properties*as*part*of*BPE:*

3(

( Date:*

18/07/14(

Version:*

Final(

Prepared*for:*

Technology(Strategy(Board(

Prepared*by:*

Jason(Fitzsimmons((Gale(&(Snowden(Architects)(

( ( Technology* Strategy* Board* Evaluator* Print(name:(

signAoff* Signature(

Technology*

Strategy*

Board* Print(name:(

Monitoring*Officer*signAoff* Signature(

( (

Date(

Date(

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FINAL 18 July 2014

! ! ! Disclaimer:(This( report,( together(with( any( associated( files( and(appendices,(has( been(prepared( by( the(above( named(Lead(Organisation(for(the(purposes(agreed(in(the(Technology(Strategy(Board’s(Terms(and(Conditions.( Any(views( or(opinions(expressed(by(the(Lead(Organisation( or( any(individual( within( this( report( are(the(views( and( opinions( of( that( organisation( or( individual( and( do( not( necessarily( reflect( the( views( or( opinions( of( the( Technology( Strategy( Board.( While( every( effort( has( been( made( to( ensure( the( accuracy( and( suitability( of( the( information( contained( in( this( report,( the( results( and( recommendations( presented( if( used( as( the( basis( of( design,( management( or( implementation( of( decisions,( are( done( so( at( the( client’s( own( risk.( The( Technology( Strategy(Board(does(not(warrant,(in(any(way(whatsoever,(the(use(of(information(contained(in(this(report(by( parties(other(than(the(above(named(Lead(Organisation.(

(

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Contents 1! Introduction(and(overview(..................................................................................................(1! 1.1! Introduction(.............................................................................................................................................(1! 1.2! Scheme(Overview(....................................................................................................................................(3! 1.3! Building(Performance(Evaluation(Background(.........................................................................................(5! 1.4! The(BPE(Team(..........................................................................................................................................(7! 1.5! Building(Performance(Evaluation(Scope(..................................................................................................(7! 1.6! Monitoring(Expectations(........................................................................................................................(11! 1.7! Summary(of(Key(Facts,(Figures(and(Findings(.........................................................................................(18!

2((About(the(building:(design(and(construction(audit,(drawings(and(SAP(calculation(review( 27! 2.1! Knights(Place(and(Passivhaus(.................................................................................................................(27! 2.2! Thermal(Envelope(and(Orientation(........................................................................................................(27! 2.3! Air(Tightness(Strategy(............................................................................................................................(31! 2.4! Building(Services(Strategy(......................................................................................................................(32! 2.5! Design(Intent(and(Final(Product(.............................................................................................................(35! 2.6! The(Design(Review(Changes(that(Occurred(...........................................................................................(36! 2.7! Construction(Management(Review(.......................................................................................................(37! 2.8! SAP(and(Passivhaus(Review(...................................................................................................................(44! 2.9! Design(Challenges(..................................................................................................................................(46! 2.10! About(the(Building(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(.............................................................................(46!

3! Fabric(Performance(...........................................................................................................(48! 3.1! Air(Permeability(Testing(.........................................................................................................................(48! 3.2! Uvalue(Measurement(Testing(................................................................................................................(51! 3.3! Thermographic(Imaging(.........................................................................................................................(54! 3.4! Conclusions(and(Recommendations(......................................................................................................(62!

4! Key(findings(from(the(design(and(delivery(team(walkthrough(..........................................(63!

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! 4.1! Original(Aspirations(................................................................................................................................(63! 4.2! Changes(that(Occurred(..........................................................................................................................(64! 4.3! Handover(Evaluation(..............................................................................................................................(64! 4.4(! Commissioning(Documentation(Evaluation(..........................................................................................(66! 4.5! Design(Intent(to(Reality((Energy,(Comfort,(Water,(Air(Quality)(.............................................................(66! 4.6! Design(Intent(to(Reality((Maintenance)(.................................................................................................(67! 4.7! Design(Intent(to(Reality((Control(and(Operation)(..................................................................................(68! 4.8! Design(&(Delivery(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(.................................................................................(70!

5! Occupant( surveys( using( standardised( housing( questionnaire( (BUS)( and( other( occupant( evaluation(.........................................................................................................................(71! 5.1! Tenant(Feedback(Comfort(.....................................................................................................................(71! 5.2! User(Guides(/(Operation(&(Maintenance(Manual(/(Training(.................................................................(79! 5.3! Occupant(Surveys(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(................................................................................(80!

6! Installation( and( commissioning( checks( of( services( and( systems,( services( performance( checks(and(evaluation(......................................................................................................(81! 6.1! Solar(Panel(System(.................................................................................................................................(81! 6.2! Hot(and(Cold(Water(Pipework(...............................................................................................................(82! 6.3! MVHR(.....................................................................................................................................................(83! 6.4! Installation(&(Commissioning(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(..............................................................(92!

7! Monitoring(methods(and(findings(.....................................................................................(94! 7.1! Energy(....................................................................................................................................................(94! 7.2! Water(...................................................................................................................................................(102! 7.3! Comfort(................................................................................................................................................(103! 7.4! Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(for(this(Section(.....................................................................................(120! 7.5! How(would(these(results(influence(future(designs(..............................................................................(121!

8! Other(technical(issues(.....................................................................................................(122! 8.1! Energy(and(Comfort(.............................................................................................................................(122!

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! 8.2! Air(Quality(............................................................................................................................................(122! 8.3! The(MVHR(System(................................................................................................................................(123! 8.4! Solar(System(.........................................................................................................................................(123! 8.5! Windows(..............................................................................................................................................(124! 8.6! Electro(Magnetic(Radiation((EMR)(.......................................................................................................(124! 8.7! Other(Technical(Issues(<(Conclusions(and(key(findings(........................................................................(125!

9! Key(messages(for(the(client,(owner(and(occupier(...........................................................(126! 9.1! Design(and(Construction(......................................................................................................................(126! 9.2! Pre(and(Post(Handover(Training(..........................................................................................................(127! 9.3! Comfort(/(Air(Quality(...........................................................................................................................(128! 9.4! Energy(..................................................................................................................................................(129! 9.5! Procurement(Route(..............................................................................................................................(129! 9.6! Key(Messages(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(.....................................................................................(130!

10! Wider(Lessons(.................................................................................................................(131! 10.1! Wider(Lessons(....................................................................................................................................(131! 10.2! Wider(Lessons(<(Conclusions(and(Key(Findings(..................................................................................(137!

11! Appendices(.....................................................................................................................(138!

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1 Introduction and overview (

1.1

Introduction

This(report(outlines(the(monitoring(and(building(performance(evaluation((BPE)(findings(and( research( carried( out( at( the( social( housing( Passivhaus( scheme( Knights( Place.( ( Funding( was( obtained( from( the( Technology( Strategy( Board( (TSB)( for( phase( 2( monitoring:( In<Use( Performance( and( Post( Occupancy( Evaluation.( ( The( scheme( consists( of( 2( blocks( of( 9( flats( each.( ( ( Of( the( 18( flats( built( at( Knights( Place( 3( were( chosen( in( block( 2( for( this( detailed( monitoring(programme.((( Figure(1.1:(Knights(Place(image((block(1(and(2)(

( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Figure(1.2:((Site(Layout((

( ( The(report(covers(the(following(key(areas:( •

An(overview(of(the(social(housing(scheme(to(set(out(the(context(of(how(it(was(designed( and(delivered(

•

Details(of(the(building(design(and(energy(strategies(

•

Design,(construction(and(energy(audit(

•

The( BPE( methodology( and( approach( undertaken( and( additional( studies( carried( out,( outlining(both(soft(and(hard(monitoring(methods(

•

Fabric(performance(and(analysis(

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Detailed(assessment(of(the(design(and(delivery(–(what(worked(well(and(any(fine(tuning( required((

•

Key(findings(from(the(building(user(surveys(

•

Services(installation(and(commissioning(review(

•

Monitoring(results(and(findings((

•

Key(messages(for(client(and(occupiers(

•

Wider(lessons(<(Feedback(for(future(designs(and(industry(

( (

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1.2

Scheme Overview

Knights( Place( Passivhaus( Housing,( developed( by( Exeter( City( Council( (ECC)( for( Exeter( City( Council( Tenants( in( conjunction( with( Gale( &( Snowden( Architects( (G&S),( is( an( exemplar( sustainable(housing(development(of(18(flats((12(two<bed(and(6(one<bed).((The(flats(are(fully( accessible,( according( to( Lifetime( Homes( Standards,( and( specifically( intended( to( encourage( existing(ECC(tenants(to(down(size(their(accommodation.( The( building( design( of( the( flats( is( based( on( the( 'Passivhaus'( principles( and( is( amongst( the( first(multi<residential(buildings,(certified(by(the(Passivhaus(Institute((PHI)(in(the(UK.((((( ‘A# Passive# house# is# a# building# in# which# a# comfortable# interior# climate# can# be# maintained# without#active#heating#and#cooling#systems’((Adamson(1987(&(Feist(1988).((( The( building( was( designed( to( be( as( low( energy( as( possible( relying( on( a( fabric( and( passive( approach( first( prior( to( adopting( any( mechanical( or( renewable( energy( active( solutions.((( Passive(measures(included:( •

optimum( solar( orientation( and( glazing( areas( to( harvest( solar( gain( in( winter( whilst(( ensuring(that(the(solar(gain(in(summer(is(not(excessive;((

•

compact(form(to(reduce(heat(loss;(

•

the(use(of(mass(to(stabilise(internal(temperature(and(comfort(levels(in(summer;(

•

designing( for( openings( on( either( side( of( the( building( to( encourage( good( cross( flow( natural( ventilation( for( optimum( air( quality( and( to( help( maintain( summer( comfort( control.(

Once( this( had( been( achieved( the( main( active( element( that( was( introduced( was( the( mechanical(ventilation(system(with(heat(recovery((MVHR),(which(helps(keep(heat(loss(to(a( minimum(and(maintain(optimum(air(quality(in(winter.((( Optimum( comfort( conditions( are( also( a( key( element( of( the( PHI( design( standard( both( in( winter(and(summer.(((The(highly(insulated(building(envelope,(of(triple(glazed(windows(and( minimal( to( no( thermal( bridges,( thermally( wraps( the( building.( ( This( approach( ensures( that( inner(surface(temperatures(are(kept(high(and(this(combined(with(the(use(of(heat(recovery( on(incoming(cold(fresh(air,((which(eliminates(cold(air(draughts)(maintains(stable(and(uniform( temperatures( in( winter.( ( The( design( also( followed( a( high( mass( approach( with( cross( ventilation(to(stabilise(summer(time(internal(temperature(conditions(to(reduce(overheating.((( Building( to( the( stringent( PHI( standard( was( a( challenging( brief( for( ECC( as( it( was( their( first( Passivhaus( build( and( their( first( council( housing( new( build( for( more( than( 50( years.( ( ( The( scheme( was( developed( by( ECC( as( a( downsizing( strategy( to( encourage( elderly( couples( or( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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single(people(to(move(out(of(larger(3<4(bedroom(properties(into(smaller(1<2(bedroom(flats( to(free(up(much(needed(larger(properties(for(younger(families.((( The( development( was( completed( in( summer( 2011( on( a( former( brownfield( garage( site( situated(in(an(established(residential(area(in(the(north(of(Exeter(and(the(flats(occupy(the(site( in(the(form(of(2(three<storey(blocks(each(containing(9(flats.((Three(flats(were(identified(for( the( BPE( monitoring( which( commenced( after( the( tenants( had( occupied( the( flats.( ( The( following( timeline( enabled( the( project( to( provide( monitoring( over( 2( winter( and( 2( summer( periods:( •

Tenants(moved(in(at(the(end(of(summer(2011(

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BPE(project(commenced(at(the(start(of(December(2011((

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First(sensors(/(loggers(installed(spring(2012(

•

Monitoring(completed(end(of(February(2014( (

1.2.1*Additional*Design*and*Environmental*Credentials* In(addition(to(the(wintertime(comfort(criteria(described(above(that(are(associated(with(the( Passivhaus(design(standard,(the(following(credentials(were(also(incorporated.( Working( with( the( design( team,( which( developed( into( a( client( brief( the( buildings( were( designed( to( be( healthy( as( well( as( energy( efficient.( ( The( healthy( building( design( principles( included:( •

good( air( quality( via( mechanical( ventilation( with( heat( recovery( (MVHR)( system( for( wintertime(fresh(air;((

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good(air(quality(in(summer(via(openings(either(side(of(the(building(encouraging(natural( cross(ventilation;(

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easily(cleanable(surfaces;((

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hard(tiling(rather(than(carpets(to(reduce(dust(mites(whilst(increasing(thermal(mass;((

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natural(materials(were(used(throughout(the(flats(to(reduce(volatile(organic(compounds( (VOCs)(including:(low(VOC(organic(paints,(waxes(and(stains(throughout;(natural(timbers( used(internally(are(all(certified(through(sustainable(management(schemes(such(as(FSC;( avoiding(the(use(of(PVC(including(electrical(cabling(and(pipework.(((

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all( communal( and( private( gardens( have( been( landscaped( following( Permaculture( principles( and( the( majority( of( plant( species( in( the( surrounding( landscape( are( edible( or( produce(edible(fruits.(((

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low(water(use(fittings((taps)(were(specified.(

•

the( scheme( was( also( designed( to( limit( electromagnetic( radiation( (EMR)( typically( associated( with( traditional( ring( mains( power( sockets( and( lighting( circuits.( ( ( All( circuits( were( radial( and( lighting( circuits( were( wired( with( EMR( reduction( in( mind.( ( In( addition( cable(runs(were(taken(away(from(beneath(bed(areas(to(limit(electric(and(magnetic(fields( in(sleeping(areas.((((Under(another(TSB((funded(monitoring(project,(EMR(was(studied(in( more(detail.((See(TSB#Rowan#House#EMR#Study#2012(

The( building( meets( Code( 4( of( the( Code( for( Sustainable( Homes.( ( It( is( fully( compliant( with( Lifetime( Homes( Standards.( ( It( has( been( designed( to( meet( best( practise( daylight( levels( internally.( The(development(was(designed(to(provide(high(quality(social(housing(for(Exeter(City(Council.((((( The(intent(was(for(ECC(to(develop(and(build(a(scheme(that(was(to(raise(and(set(the(energy( and(sustainable(standard(above(and(beyond(what(had(previously(been(done(before.((((This( was(then(to(become(the(template(for(all(future(ECC(developments.((( (

1.3

Building Performance Evaluation Background

1.3.1* Design*Team*Aspirations* As( this( was( ECC’s( first( council( own( build( and( it( was( one( of( the( first( multi<residential( PHI( certified( schemes( in( the( UK,( ECC( and( the( design( team( were( keen( to( learn( how( the( design( performed( when( in( use.( ( The( team( was( acutely( aware( of( the( energy( and( comfort( performance( gap( in( the( UK( being( reported( between( buildings( at( design( stage( to( the( final( building( in( use.( ( Often( what( is( designed( in( theory( fails( to( be( executed( to( reality( due( to( various(reasons(including(a(lack(of(quality(control(during(construction;(incorrect(specification( of(materials;(and(value(engineering.((In(addition(designs(frequently(do(not(take(into(account( how(people(use(and(live(in(buildings.((In(particular,(in(domestic(buildings,(differing(lifestyles( can(change(the(energy(intensity(of(one(apartment(considerably(when(compared(to(another.(( The(team(wanted(to(ensure(that(the(design(energy(and(comfort(targets(were(being(achieved( and(also(wanted(to(understand(how(well(a(PHI(designed(scheme(would(perform(in(practice.( As(designers(G&S(welcomed(opportunities(to(monitor(and(evaluate(their(own(designs.((ECC( and( the( team( were( keen( to( understand( in( particular( how( the( tenants( faired( living( in( a( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Passivhaus.((The(tenants(themselves(were(not(private(clients(who(particularly(aspired(to(live( in(a(Passivhaus(or(who(had(commissioned(the(designers(to(deliver(such(a(scheme(for(them( to(live(in.(((They(were(Exeter(City(tenants(from(larger(properties,(who(had(been(encouraged( by(ECC(to(move(into(the(smaller(Passivhaus(flats.((The(main(age(group(was(for(the(over(55s.(( ECC( therefore( wanted( rents( to( be( affordable( and( to( ensure( energy( bills( remained( low( to( avoid(fuel(poverty.(( (

1.3.2* Wider*Context* In(a(wider(UK(construction(context(it(was(felt(Knights(Place(would(provide(a(good(case(study( building(because(of(its(unique(design.(((At(the(time(it(was(PHI(certified(in(2011(it(was(one(of( the(first(of(its(kind(and(there(were(few(PHI(certified(buildings(in(the(UK.((Hence,(there(was( and(still(is(a(lack(of(understanding(in(the(UK(industry(with(regard(to(this(type(of(low(energy( design.( ( The( UK( Construction( Industry( is( not( used( to( the( level( of( air( tightness( required( to( achieve(the(PHI(standard(and(this(is(a(challenge(to(the(UK(builder(and(designer.(((( The(design(intent(of(Knights(Place(was(for(the(properties(to(require(very(little(heat(and(the( small( amount( required( to( be( met( by( passive( solar( or( passive( internal( gains.( ( Anything( else( required( was( to( be( met( by( a( small( heater( battery( in( the( supply( air( of( the( mechanical( ventilation( heat( recovery( system.( ( This( type( of( design( moved( away( from( the( current( UK( approach( which( tends( to( opt( for( average( levels( of( insulation( and( air( tightness( and( then( require(expensive(renewable(energy(systems(such(as(heat(pumps(or(biomass(for(the(heating,( to(a(design(that(requires(very(little(heating.((It(is(a(design(primarily(concerned(with(saving( energy(regardless(of(whether(it(is(delivered(by(a(fossil(fuel(or(not,(a(fabric(approach(first.((It( is( also( considered( that( the( mechanical( ventilation( system( with( heat( recovery( (MVHR)( provides(better(air(quality(in(the(winter(than(a(naturally(ventilated(building(where(windows( often(remain(shut(during(cold(periods.(( For(these(reasons(it(was(felt(that(Knights(Place(would(make(a(useful(case(study(for(the(wider( industry.((( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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1.4

The BPE Team

Table(1.1:(The(BPE(Team( Name(

Role(

Exeter*City*Council(

Client(/(Developer(and(housing(provider(and(manager.( Maintenance(team(–(management(and(maintenance(of(the(buildings(and(services.(

Gale*&*Snowden* Architects(

Knights(Place(designers(–(architetural(design,(M&E(design,(Passivhaus(design( Project(managerA(for(the(BPE(project,(carrying(out(the(monitoring((thermal(imaging( surveys,(thermal(resistance(testing),(analysis(and(interpretation(and(presentation(of(the( results.(

Zehnder*Comfoair* Total*Home* Environment*(

Technical(support(regarding(MVHR(systems(and(suitable(monitoring(methodologies.(( Zehnder(provided(the(ductwork(humidity(and(temperature(data(loggers.((The(MVHR( system(and(ductwork(was(designed,(supplied(and(installed(by(Total(Home(Environment.(( Total(Home(Environment(carried(out(MVHR(air(balance(checks.((The(MVHR(system(itself( was(the(CA200(Comfoair(unit(by(Zehnder.((

M&E*Contractor(

Provided(technical(support(regarding(M&E(elements(and(installed(all(sub(meters(

Main*Contractor(

Provided(technical(support(regarding(construction(details(and(elements(

(

1.5

Building Performance Evaluation Scope

The(initial(intention(was(to(try(and(monitor(and(evaluate(as(many(flats(as(possible(in(order(to( capture(as(many(different(lifestyles(and(all(the(different(flat(types.((The(flat(types(themselves( diverged(from(each(other(thermally(in(the(following(way:( •

Some(were(more(compact(than(others(as(the(scheme(included(both(1(and(2(bedroom( units(with(different(layouts(

•

Roof( flats( had( higher( ceilings( and( larger( volumes;( they( also( contained( roof( lights,( which(were(subject(to(more(solar(gain(during(the(day.(((

•

Flats( in( the( middle( of( the( block( on( the( 2nd( floor( were( supported( thermally( by( flats( above,(below(and(on(either(side(

•

There(were(differences(between(the(flats(in(terms(of(solar(orientation(and(solar(gain.(( Some(had(more(southerly(aspects(than(others.((((

Due( to( the( costs( involved( with( monitoring,( building( performance( evaluation( (BPE)( funding( was(sourced(for(only(3(of(the(21(flats.((Nevertheless(the(3(chosen(still(represented(a(diverse( mix( thermally( to( compare( one( flat( against( the( other.( ( After( writing( to( the( tenants,( 3( flats( were(identified(from(block(2.(((

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Flat(A(–(a(mid<floor(flat(surrounded(above,(below(and(on(either(side(by(neighbouring( flats,(housing(a(couple(one(of(whom(was(out(at(work(during(the(day.((This(flat(has(a( more(south(westerly(orientation(

•

Flat( B( –( a( gable( end( mid( floor( flat( with( good( south( facing( orientation,( housing( a( couple(who(were(at(home(all(day.((((

•

Flat(C(–(a(gable(end(2nd(floor(in(the(roof(flat(with(good(south(facing(orientation(and( roof( lights( representing( a( flat( with( the( highest( solar( gain( of( all( 21( flats,( housing( a( couple(who(were(at(home(all(day.((((

Section( 2.2( provides( more( details( about( the( 3( flats( that( were( studied,( in( particular( their( location,(layout(and(orientation.((( As( the( design( team( intended( to( assess( comfort( conditions( in( the( flats( during( summer( periods,(the(2(gable(end(flats(which(were(subject(to(relatively(higher(solar(gain(than(some(of( the(other(flats(were(ideal(candidates(for(this(level(of(study.((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (

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1.5.1* The*Monitoring* The( monitoring( comprises( two( distinct( elements,( the( hard( monitoring( with( the( use( of( sensors( and( equipment( which( records( the( facts( in( an( objective( manner,( and( the( soft( monitoring(which(involves(discussions(and(interviews(with(tenants(and(the(design(team(and( quality(checks(of(installations.((( Table(1.2:(The(Monitoring( Hard*Monitoring( •

Main(metering(and(sub(metering(<(heating,(lighting,(DHW,(cooking,(ventilation(and(appliances.((

•

Solar(thermal(system(performance(monitoring(

•

Performance( monitoring( of( MVHR( systems( <( air( flow( tests( &( energy( consumption( assessment.( In( addition(to(the(mandatory(TSB(tests(measurements(of(temperature(and(humidity(in(all(4(air(streams(of( the(ductwork(and(an(additional(measurement(after(the(heater(battery(in(the(supply(air.((Thus(providing( details(of(heat(exchanger(efficiencies(at(different(operating(temperatures.((

•

Internal( comfort( monitoring( <( temperature( and( humidity( monitoring( in( kitchen,( living( room( and( main( bedroom.(((CO2(monitoring(in(living(room(and(main(bedroom.(((

•

External(temperature(and(relative(humidity(monitoring(

•

Air(permeability(and(tracer(gas(tests(in(accordance(with(ATTMA.((2(tests(over(2(winters.((

•

Summer(time(temperature(and(comfort(monitoring(to(determine(comfort(conditions(during(hot(periods( and(to(see(how(well(the(mass(and(super(insulated(approach(performs.((((This(study(is(beyond(the(TSB( mandatory(requirement.((((

•

In<situ(U<value(thermal(resistance(monitoring(of(wall(construction(details(using(heat(flux(sensor(method( and(data(logger.(

•

Infrared(thermography(survey(of(the(3(flats(and(key(thermal(elements.(

Soft*monitoring( •

Design(and(construction(audit((

•

Design(team(review(of(SAP/PHPP(and(design(details(&(commissioning(data(for(services.((

•

Installation(check(of(services(&(fittings(by(team(

•

Building(user(survey((BUS)(questionnaire(to(all(18(flats((

•

Interviews(and(walkthroughs(with(occupants(to(determine(controls(issues,(mode(of(operation,(different( lifestyle(habits,(ease(of(use,(fine(tuning(of(energy(systems,(user(guide.((

•

Energy(audits(using(DomEARM(methodology((domestic(energy(and(reporting(method)(

(

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Co<heat(testing(was(not(viable(due(to(occupancy(and(the(nature(of(the(flats.(( As(the(flats(had(already(been(handed(over(and(were(fully(occupied(at(the(commencement(of( the(BPE(study(a(hard(wired(sensor(monitoring(solution(was(not(an(option(as(it(proved(to(be( too(expensive(and(disruptive(to(the(tenants(and(building.((The(solution(that(presented(itself( was(to(install(a(wi<fi(collection(data(hub(in(one(of(the(flats(which(transmitted(data(via(a(sim( card( to( an( external( web( site( which( was( then( transferred( to( the( EMBED( site.( ( ( Comfort( condition( sensors,( electrical( sub( meters( and( solar( monitoring( sensors( were( installed,( each( with(a(transmitter,(which(transmitted(data(every(5(minutes(to(the(centralised(collection(hub.((( Unfortunately(this(was(not(an(ideal(solution(considering(the(flats(had(been(designed(to(limit( electric( magnetic( radiation( (EMR)( but( it( was( the( only( system( that( was( technically( and( financially(feasible(to(carry(out(the(study.(((Fortunately(it(was(to(be(only(installed(for(2(years.((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (

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1.6

Monitoring Expectations

1.6.1* Energy*Criteria* As(the(scheme(was(designed(to(the(PHI(standard(the(team(had(clear(expectations(about(the( design.((The(prime(energy(criteria(were:( Table(1.3:(Prime(PHI(thermal(criteria( Criteria(

Description(

Notes( 2

Space(heating(demand(

<(15(KWh/m /yr((

Peak(heat(loss(

<(10(W/m (

Either(this(criteria(or(space(heating(demand(calculated( with(PHPP(

Air(tightness(

0.6(ach/hr(@(50(Pa(

Test(in(accordance(with(ATTMA(Standard(TSL1(

2

Either(this(criteria(or(peak(heat(loss(calculated(with( PHPP(

( Table(1.4:(PHI(energy(criteria( Criteria(

Description(

Primary(energy(demand(<(Includes(all( <(120( 2 electrical(consumption(in(the(home( KWh/m /yr(( sockets,(lighting,(appliances,(heating,( ventilation,(etc(multiplied(by(a(primary( energy(factor(of(2.7(which(cover( relative(losses(and(inefficiencies(in( generating(and(transporting(energy(to( its(point(of(use(–(for(example(electricity( factor(=(2.7(gas(=(1.1.(((

Notes( This(figure(is(a(PHI(certification(requirement(and( its(purpose(is(to(restrict(the(range(of(suitable( heating(and(domestic(hot(water(solutions(to( avoid(carbon(intensive(technologies.((( Conservative(assumptions(are(made(with(regards( to(hot(water(demand(and(appliances,(lighting(and( tenant(behavior.(((Therefore(this(figure(is(not(so( much(a(target(but(an(abstract(design(tool.((((

(

1.6.2* Optimum*Thermal*Comfort* As(well(as(clear(energy(targets(the(team(also(had(very(clear(comfort(criteria(expectations.((( •

Comfortable(conditions(during(summer(periods(to(avoid(overheating((

•

Optimum(air(humidity(

•

Optimum(air(quality(&(C02(levels(

•

Uniformity( of( air( temperatures( and( radiant( surface( temperatures( creating( a( thermal( stable(environment(

These(criteria,(together(with(air(speed(and(turbulence(are(determining(factors(of(a(building( and(its(design(in(influencing(internal(comfort(levels.((( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Summer(Comfort( There( are( various( overheating( criteria( that( design( teams( can( adopt( in( the( UK( and( Europe( when(designing(buildings(to(be(comfortable(during(summer(time(operation.(((For(domestic( buildings(however(there(is(no(universally(agreed(overheating(criteria(for(designers(to.((There( is( an( overheating( check( in( SAP( but( the( tool( is( quite( is( limited( and( is( for( demonstrating( compliance(only.(((( The(criteria(that(is(available(is(either(based(on(fixed(temperature(limits((such(as(those(set(in( CIBSE( Guide( A,( CIBSE( Guide( TM( 36,( or( the( Passivhaus( Institute)( or( there( is( the( adaptive( approach( as( detailed( in( BS( EN( 15251:( 2007.( ( The( adaptive( approach( allows( for( higher( temperatures( within( naturally( ventilated( buildings( during( warmer( weather( conditions( assuming(occupants(will(adapt.((( For(reasons(of(simplicity(the(fixed(temperature(criteria(was(adopted(as(follows:( The(Passivhaus(Institute(sets(an(upper(temperature(limit(averaged(throughout(the(building(<( not(exceeding(25OC(for(more(than(10%(of(the(time(when(using(the(PHPP(thermal(tool.( In( the( UK( CIBSE( Guide( A( details( bedrooms( should( not( exceed( 260C( for( more( than( 1%( of( occupied(hours.(((( ( Air(humidity( The(Passivhaus(Institute(states(that(Passivhaus(dwellings(should(achieve(humidity(levels(of( approximately(50%.((HSE((2011b)(states(that(40%(to(70%(humidity(does(not(affect(thermal( comfort.((http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm)( ( Air(quality(and(CO2(levels( The( more( airtight( dwellings( become( in( order( to( save( energy,( which( is( wasted( due( to( infiltration( losses,( the( more( emphasis( there( should( be( on( ensuring( adequate( ventilation( when( it( is( needed.( ( Good( air( quality( is( important( not( only( to( maintain( adequate( oxygen( levels( but( also( to( ensure( removal( of( odours,( VOCs( (volatile( organic( compounds),( moisture( and( other( components( that( can( build( up( in( the( home( and( may( be( detrimental( to( health.((((( Carbon(dioxide((CO2)(measured(in(parts(per(million((ppm)(is(considered(to(be(an(indicator(of( indoor(air(quality(during(occupied(periods.(((

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Most(industry(guidance(and(research(regarding(air(quality(is(based(around(commercial(and( industrial(buildings.((In(Germany(the(DIN(1946(is(used(which(states(1500(ppm(as(a(maximum( but(also(recommends(the(‘Pettenkofer(value’(of(1000(ppm(to(be(used(as(a(peak.(( British Standard BS EN 13779 provides four classifications of indoor air quality as shown in Table 2 which is based on external CO2(levels(of(350(–(400(ppm.( Table(1.5:(EN(13799(Air(Quality(Criteria( Classification((

Indoor(air(quality(standard(( Approximate(indoor(CO2(concentration((ppm)(*((

IDA1((

High((

700(to(750((

IDA2((

Medium((

850(to(900((

IDA3((

Moderate((

1,150(to(1,200((

IDA4((

Low((

1,550(to(1,600((

* taken from Table 4.2, CIBSE Guide A, including CO2 concentration rise plus external CO2

The( Building( Biology( standard( set( by( the( Baubiology( Institute,( which( sets( standards( purely( based( on( health( and( not( energy,( considers( that( a( healthy( indoor( environment( should( emulate( natural( levels.( ( The( Standard( of( Building( Biology( Testing( Methods( sets( indoor( air( quality(standards(as(follows:( Table(1.6:(Baubiology(Air(Quality(Criteria( Classification(

Description(

CO2(level(above(level(of(outdoor(air((ppm)(typical(range(

IDA1((

No(Concern(

<(600(

IDA2((

Slight(Concern(

600(<(1000(

IDA3((

Severe(Concern(

1000(<(1500(

IDA4((

Extreme(Concern(

>(1500(

( Approved(Document(Part(F(Means(Of(Ventilation((2006(edition)( The(MVHR(system(in(each(flat(was(originally(commissioned(in(line(with(the(requirements(of( table(1.1b(‘whole(building(ventilation(rates’.((At(the(time(during(the(design(process(no(CO2( criteria(was(fixed(and(set,(it(was(assumed(that(the(part(F(requirements(would(be(sufficient.(((( It( was( therefore( decided( as( part( of( the( BPE( exercise( to( assess( where( the( CO2( levels( lie( in( each(flat(against(the(part(F(commissioned(air(volumes.(( ( ( (

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Uniformity(of(air(temperatures(and(radiant(surface(temperatures(( Key(parameters(of(thermal(comfort(within(a(space,(which(is(determined(in(ISO(7730((derived( from(Fanger’s(equation),(are:( •

The(difference(between(radiant(temperature(and(air(temperature(remains(small(

•

The(difference(in(the(radiant(temperature(in(various(directions(remains(small((less(than(5( °C,(known(as(the(“radiation(temperature(asymmetry”),(

•

Perceived( temperatures( in( the( room( change( by( no( more( than( 0.8( °C( at( different( locations,(

•

The(indoor(air(temperature(stratification(is(less(than(2(°C(between(the(head(and(ankles( of(a(seated(person.(

In( a( Passivhaus( design,( due( to( the( high( thermal( performance( of( the( improved( thermal( insulation(adopted(and(the(use(of(triple(glazed(windows,(the(above(perimeters(can(easily(be( met.((In(a(Passivhaus(building(inner(surfaces(of(external(walls(and(roofs(are(to(be(designed(so( that( they( are( not( more( than( 1( °C( lower( than( inner( air( temperatures( and( window( surface( temperatures(are(not(more(than(3(<(3.5(°C(lower(than(inner(air(temperatures.(((( ( Table(1.7:(Comfort(Criteria( Criteria(

Description(

Notes( o

Summertime(overheating( Space(temperatures(to(not(exceed(25 C(for( PHI(overheating(criteria( criteria(1( more(than(10%(of(the(year( o

Summertime(overheating( Space(temperatures(to(not(exceed(26 C(for( CIBSE(Guide(A(criteria( criteria(2( more(than(1%(of(the(year( 1

Air(quality(

For(mean(CO2(conditions(to(be(below(1000( ppm(=(parts(per(million.((Whilst(CO2( 1 ppm(and(peaks(to(not(exceed(1500(ppm (( is(not(the(only(indicator(of(air(quality( it(is(considered(the(simplest(one(to( measure(

Air(humidity(

To(lie(between(40<70%(rh ((

1

1

rh(=(relative(humidity(

Uniformity(of(temperature( Inner(surfaces(of(external(walls(>(1(°C(lower(To(be(measured(via(thermal(imaging( than(inner(air(temperatures(( Window(surface(temperatures(are((>(3(–(3.5( °C(lower(than(inner(air(temperatures(

( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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1.6.4* MVHR*Heating,*Comfort*and*Efficiency*Criteria* MVHR(Heating( During(the(design(process(initial(calculations(found(typical(heat(loss(for(each(flat(to(be(in(the( region(of(500(Watts.((A(decision(had(to(be(made(to(determine(the(most(appropriate(heating( system(to(satisfy(such(a(low(heat(load.((A(centralised(system(was(ruled(out(by(ECC(as(they( did(not(wish(to(tie(tenants(into(a(single(energy(supplier.((Stand<alone(systems(such(as(heat( pumps,( and( biomass( systems( were( considered( too( large( and( costly( for( low( loads( and( not( suitable.((Modern(boiler(systems(would(not(be(appropriate(as(they(would(be(oversized,(even( the(smallest(units(available(on(the(market((circa.(12(kW)(would(be(oversized.((In(the(end(it( was(decided(to(save(on(capital(costs(and(to(not(install(a(conventional(heating(system(and(to( simply(install(an(electrical(post(heater(in(the(supply(air.(( At(the(time(of(the(design(the(team(understood(the(following:( “A#Passive#House#is#a#building,#for#which#thermal#comfort#(ISO#7730)#can#be#achieved#solely# by# post# heating# or# post# cooling# of# the# fresh# air# mass,# which# is# required# to# fulfil# sufficient# indoor#air#quality#conditions#(DIN#1946)#S#without#a#need#for#reScirculated#air.”# By( installing( a( small( post( heater( to( the( supply( air( of( the( MVHR( system( any( small( heating( requirements( would( be( met( without( the( expense( of( a( conventional( heating( system.( ( ( As( a( precautionary(measure(the(design(team(also(added(blanked(fused(spurs(in(the(main(rooms( so( that( a( small( panel( heater( could( be( fitted( if( required( at( a( later( date.( ( ( One( important( criteria(of(air(heating(is(to(ensure(that(supply(air(is!not$heated$above$50<54#̊C,#because#higher# temperatures( lead( to( dust( pyrolysis( and( burning( smells.( ( Any( post( heater( solution( would( have(to(be(controlled(in(a(suitable(manner(to(ensure(this.(((( The(team(was(therefore(keen(to(understand(that(this(type(of(heating(method(via(the(MVHR( system(worked(in(a(domestic(application(especially(in(small(compact(flats(as(it(offered(a(very( simple(and(cheap(solution(to(heating(low(heat(loss(buildings.((( MVHR(Comfort(and(Efficiency( The( PHI( certificate( for( certified( MVHR( systems( used( in( Passivhaus( designs( sets( out( clear( criteria(for(both(comfort(and(efficiency.((The(main(comfort(criteria,(to(avoid(cold(draughts( and(the(creation(of(convection(cells,(is(to(ensure(that(during(normal(operation,(without(the( use( of( a( post( heater( battery,( the( supply( air( to( the( space( does( not( fall( below( 16.5oC( in( particular(when(ambient(temperatures(are(at(<10(oC.( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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The(first(efficiency(criterion(is(that(the(heat(exchanger(efficiency(is(a(minimum(of(75%,(the( scheme(in(this(case(used(the(Zehnder(Comfoair(CA200(unit(which(had(a(PHI(tested(efficiency( of( 92%.( ( The( second( efficiency( criteria( is( that( the( unit’s( total( specific( electrical( power( consumption(does(not(exceed(0.45(Wh/m3( Table(1.7:(MVHR(Heating,(Comfort(and(Efficiency(Criteria( The( following( table( details( additional( PHI( design( criteria( in( reference( to( heating( and( the( MVHR(system.(((( Criteria*

Description*

Heating(comfort(

Space(temperatures(achieve(20(+/<(1( C(during( Can(be(assessed(via(temperature(sensors(and( cold(days(in(winter(when(called(for(by(tenants( sub(meter(on(MVHR(supply.( and(when(occupied(

Notes* o

o

Maximum(supply(air( Supply(air(temperature(<(52<54 C(when(heater(Can(be(assessed(via(data(loggers(in(ductwork( temperature( battery(is(enabled( and(thermal(imaging(camera( o

Minimum(supply(air( Supply(air(temperature(>(16.5 C(when(heater( Can(be(assessed(via(data(loggers(in(ductwork( temperature( battery(is(not(enabled( and(thermal(imaging(camera( Heat(exchanger( efficiency((

Achieves(a(minimum(of(92%(as(detailed(on(PHI(Can(be(assessed(and(calculated(via(data( certificate(during(operation(at(different( loggers(recording(temperatures(in(all(main( conditions( ducts( 3

Specific(electrical(fan( Not(to(exceed(0.42(Wh/m (during(operation(at(Can(be(assessed(and(calculated(via(sub(meter( power( different(conditions,(as(detailed(on(PHI( to(supply( certificate(during(operation(at(different( conditions(

(

1.6.5* Water*Consumption*Criteria* The(scheme(set(a(higher(standard(for(water(consumption(than(the(requisite(Code(4(of(the( Code(for(Sustainable(Homes((CSH).((Through(specification(and(design(and(the(use(of(low(flow( rate(fittings(for(sinks,(showers(and(WC(cisterns(80(litres/second/person/day(was(achieved(at( design(stage.((This(is(equivalent(to(Code(6(of(the(CSH.((( Table(1.8:(Water(Consumption(Criteria( Criteria*

Description*

Notes*

Water(consumption((

<(80(l/s/person/day(

Can(be(assessed(and(calculated(via(sub(meter(to( supply(

( ( (

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1.6.6* Tenant*Feedback*and*Living*Experience* As(well(as(the(hard(technical(and(building(physics(expectations(the(team(were(also(keen(to( understand( that( the( design( with( all( its( energy,( environmental,( healthy( building( and( permaculture( design( principles( is( a( pleasant( and( comfortable( place( to( live( in.( ( The( expectation(is(that(people(living(here(will(find(it(a(positive(place(to(live(that(not(only(reduces( their(energy(bills(but(also(increases(their(sense(of(well<being(and(overall(living(experience.(( The( building( user( surveys( (BUS),( walkthroughs( and( interviews( will( help( provide( this( useful( insight(into(how(the(scheme(is(perceived(by(the(people(who(live(there.(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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1.7

Summary of Key Facts, Figures and Findings

The(results(of(the(study(has(been(very(positive(and(has(found(the(flats(to(be(performing(well( in( terms( of( heating( consumption,( hot( water( consumption,( winter( and( summer( comfort( conditions( and( are( within( acceptable( margins( as( per( their( design( intent.( ( ( ( Primary( energy( consumption(on(the(other(hand(was(found(to(be(high(in(some(flats(and(this(was(mainly(due( to( sockets( and( appliances( and( tenant( lifestyle.( ( ( The( CO2( levels( although( commissioned( in( line(with(Part(F(were(slightly(higher(than(expected(and(perhaps(this(is(due(to(the(nature(of( the(small(compact(flats.(((The(air(permeability(tests(also(recorded(slightly(higher(figures(than( the( original( construction( tests( but( it( was( observed( that( there( were( differences( in( the( test( approach( between( different( organisations.( ( ( Despite( this( the( new( results( had( very( little( bearing(on(energy(consumption.(((( Tenants(have(also(recorded(very(positive(feedback(via(the(BUS(survey(and(have(found(living( at( Knights( Place( a( very( positive( experience.( ( Some( tenants( struggled( with( optimising( the( MVHR(system(and(supply(air(heater(battery(and(for(these(tenants(a(simple(wall(heater(panel( was(installed(which(improved(the(situation.((( Detailed(in(this(section(is(a(snap(shot(summary(of(some(of(the(key(facts,(figures(and(findings( but(not.((Further(detailed(analysis(can(be(found(in(the(relevant(sections(within(this(report.(((

* ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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1.7.1* Energy* The(study(so(far(has(found(that(the(flats(are(performing(in(line(with(the(PHI(design(energy( targets(with(regards(to(heating,(sub(metered(energy(data(has(found(this(to(be(the(case.((This( assessment( also( includes( a( bitter( long( and( cold( winter( with( March( 2013( being( the( coldest( since( 1962( with( an( average( monthly( temperature( of( 2.6oC( (Office( for( National( Statistics( <( ONS).(( Figure(1.3:(Heating(Energy(Comparison(2012(–(2013((kWh/m2.yr)(

Heating(Energy(kWh/sq.m.yr( 80!

69!

70! 60! 50! 33!

40! 30! 20!

15!

10!

11! 0!

0! PHPP! Design!

Flat!A!

Flat!B!

Flat!C!

OFGEM!

Heating!Energy!kWh/sq.m.yr!

( Analysis(of(the(energy(data((figure(1.3)(has(found(that(the(heating(criterion(is(being(met(and( even(exceeded.((Figure(1.3(shows(that(Flat(A(uses( no( heating(at(all(throughout(the( winter( period,(and(flat(C(is(under(the(15(kWh/m2/yr(at(10.5(kWh/m2/yr.((Flat(B(was(found(to(exceed( the(space(heating(demand(target(at(33(kWh/m2/yr,(which(is(because(the(tenants(choose(to( keep(their(windows(open(throughout(the(winter(period.((See(section(7(for(a(more(detailed( analysis(of(these(results.((( The( results( are( very( positive( indeed( especially( when( considering( the( severity( of( the( cold( winter(period.(((Figure(1.3(compares(in(graphical(format(the(flats(against(the(design(intent( and( what( would( be( expected( from( a( typical( home( in( accordance( with( data( from( OFGEM( (Office(of(Gas(and(Electricity(Markets)(in(their(report(‘Typical#Domestic#Energy#Consumption# Figures#2011’.(((It(can(be(clearly(seen(even(for(flat(B(with(the(windows(opens(that(it(is(still( some(way(under(the(typical(OFGEM(heating(consumption(data.((( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Figure(1.4:(Knights(Place(Calculated(vs(Monitored(Energy(Breakdown(in(kWh((June(12<(May( 13)( 8000 Predicted Energy demand Flats A-C (PHPP) Flat C

7000

6000 Flat B

5000 Flat A

4000

UK 'Medium consumption' according to OFGEM Data

3000

2000

1000

0 Heating Hot Water Household Ventilation Electricity

( Figure(1.4(shows(the(yearly(total(calculated(PHPP(energy(against(the(monitored(energy(from( June( 12( to( May( 13( in( kWh,( providing( a( clear( breakdown( between( heating,( water( and( household(electricity((sockets,(appliances(and(lights).(((It(can(be(clearly(seen(that(the(biggest( performance(gap(between(the(design(figures(and(in(use(lies(with(household(electricity.((As( lighting(loads(were(found(to(be(insignificant((see(section(7)(this(is(primarily(down(to(sockets( and(kitchen(appliances(and(tenant(behaviour,(an(area(where(the(design(of(the(building(and( services(has(little(influence.(((Both(Flat(A(and(Flat(C(are(more(than(double(the(design(figure( and(slightly(higher(than(the(OFGEM(data.( Deeper(analysis(of(these(figures(detailed(in(later(sections(found(that(Flat(C(had(a(high(socket( load(which(was(due(to(lifestyle(and(a(high(proportion(of(appliances(running(day(and(night( and(Flat(A(had(a(high(kitchen(and(cooker(load(which(was(due(to(the(tenant(being(a(chef.((( It(was(found(also(found(that(2(of(the(flats(had(higher(hot(water(loads(than(the(design(target( but(still(significantly(less(than(the(OFGEM(data.((It(was(found((see(section(6)(that(the(solar( systems(were(commissioned(incorrectly(and(the(back(up(immersion(thermostat(was(set(too( high( and( was( impeding( on( the( solar( thermal( efficiency.( ( In( addition( one( of( the( flats( in( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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question(had(a(very(high(water(consumption(load((see(section(7)(due(to(life(style(and(adding( to( this( the( summer( of( 2012( was( one( of( the( wettest( for( 100( years( (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2012/secondAwettestAsummer).(((( Therefore(despite(the(weather(conditions(and(tenant(lifestyle(in(comparison(to(the(OFGEM( data(the(result(could(be(said(to(be(positive.( Figure(1.5:(Air(Permeability(Comparison((kWh/m2.yr)(

m3/(h.m2)@50Pa(

Flats(A(?(C(Air(Permeability( 6.00! 5.00! 4.00! 3.00! 2.00! 1.00! 0.00!

Series1!

PHPP! Design! Flat!A!

BPE! Test! Flat!A!

PHPP! Design! Flat!B!

BPE! Test! Flat!B!

PHPP! design! Flat!C!

BPE! Test! Flat!C!

2010! Part!L!

0.41!

0.74!

0.46!

0.73!

0.57!

1.19!

5.00!

(

The(air(permeability(figures(for(all(3(flats(was(found(to(be(slightly(above(the(PHI(target(when( the(flats(were(retested((see(figure(1.5)(but(it(was(difficult(to(say(whether(this(was(due(to(any( change( in( the( fabric( or( slight( changes( in( the( testing( method.( ( It( was( noted( that( some( elements( of( the( ATTMA( air( permeability( test( were( open( to( interpretation( on( the( day( between( the( different( testing( organisations( and( this( is( discussed( further( in( section( 3.((( Nevertheless(the(new(figures(were(input(into(both(the(SAP(and(PHPP(calculation(tools(again( to(determine(the(effects(that(this(would(have(on(the(energy(targets(and(consumption.((As( they( were( only( a( relatively( small( increase( in( air( permeability( the( effects( were( found( to( be( negligible(in(the(energy(calculations(–(section(7(provides(a(more(detailed(explanation.(( (

* ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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1.7.2* Comfort** Temperature(in(Winter( Temperature(conditions(in(each(flat(was(found(to(be(very(good.(( On(the(coldest(day(of(the(first(winter(period(where(external(temperatures(reached(<2oC(the( temperature( range( in( flat( A( was( consistently( between( 19.5( –( 21.5oC( and( this( was( without( using(any(heating.(((It(can(be(seen(in(table(1.9(that(the(minimum(temperature(encountered( during( the( winter( period( in( flat( A( was( 18.68oC( and( the( heater( battery( was( not( engaged( throughout(this(winter.((((The(BUS(survey(and(interviews(with(tenants(in(flat(A(found(that( they(were(perfectly(happy(with(winter(comfort(conditions.( Average(temperatures(across(the(3(flats(were(19.94(–(20.94oC.(((Flat(B(recorded(a(minimum( temperature( of( 17.6oC( and( this( is( likely( due( to( the( fact( that( the( tenants( open( windows( throughout( the( winter( period.( ( ( Flat( C( tenants( stated( that( they( found( the( bedroom( temperatures(a(bit(cooler(than(the(living(room(and(would(prefer(them(to(be(warmer.(((This( was( reflected( in( the( BUS( questionnaire( and( interviews( and( discussions.( ( It( was( found( that( some( tenants( struggled( to( understand( that( MVHR( system( was( providing( fresh( air( and( the( fact(that(it(was(also(the(main(heating(system(via(the(supply(air(heater(battery.((The(training( and(literature(stated(to(set(the(wall(thermostat(to(the(desired(temperature(of(20<21oC(and( leave(it(in(this(setting.((It(was(found(that(tenants(were(struggling(with(this(and(preferred(to( operate(the(system(in(a(responsive(way(i.e.(when(cold(to(turn(the(thermostat(up(and(when( warm( to( turn( it( right( down.( ( As( the( system( was( a( sow( response( system,( this( mode( of( operation(did(not(work(effectively.((In(addition(there(was(no(zonal(control(on(the(system(so( the( living( rooms( ran( slightly( warmer( than( the( bedrooms( as( they( had( more( internal( gains( from(other(electrical(equipment(such(as(televisions(and(digital(boxes.(((Further(details(can(be( found(on(this(in(sections(7(and(8.((For(these(tenants(a(small(electrical(wall(panel(heater(was( provided(in(the(living(room(and(bedroom,(which(resolved(this(control(issue.((The(electrical( panel(heaters(were(then(used(rather(than(the(electric(heater(battery(in(the(supply(air.((It(was( found( after( interviewing( the( tenants( again( that( they( were( perfectly( content( with( this( solution.(((In(total(4(of(the(18(flats(struggled(with(this(issue.((( ( (

(

( (

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Table(1.9:(Minimum,(maximum,(average(temperatures(winter(1(periods((1st(Nov(–(1st((April)( Flat*&*Space*

Min*temperature* Max*temperature* o o C* C*

Average* o temperature* C*

Notes*

Flat(A(living(room(

18.68(

22.26(

20.56(

Tenants(perfectly(content(with( winter(comfort,(no(heating( used,(minimum(temperature( could(be(when(unoccupied.(

Flat(B(living(room(

17.6(

22.8(

20.94(

Tenants(open(windows( throughout(winter(

Flat(C(living(room(

18.42(

22.62(

20.78(

(

Flat(C(bedroom(

18.03(

21.55(

19.94(

Tenants(stated(bedroom(was( cooler(than(living(room(and( daily(temperature(

( Note:(at(the(time(of(analysis(issues(were(encountered(with(retrieving(fully(yearly(maximum( and( minimum( bedroom( temperatures( via( EMBED( for( Flat( A( and( Flat( B( over( the( winter( period.(((The(temperature(data(would(not(plot(100%.((For(a(typical(winters(day’s(data(see( section(7(for(further(details.((( Temperature(in(Summer( Summer(conditions(have(been(equally(impressive.((As(well(as(a(long(cold(winter(the(summer( of( 2013( included( a( prolonged( heat( wave( in( the( UK( where( temperatures( exceeded( 30oC( in( Devon,(an(ideal(year(for(this(level(of(monitoring.((The(design(emphasis(to(ensure(optimum( comfort(conditions(during(the(summer(appeared(to(be(working.((( •

Super(insulated(design(to(keep(solar(gain(out(

•

Optimum( window( ratios( so( there( is( not( too( much( solar( gain( during( summer( but( adequate(in(winter(and(good(daylight(levels(

•

High(thermal(mass(for(night(cooling(and(to(stabilise(temperatures(

•

Window( openings( on( 2( facades( of( the( building( in( each( flat( to( enable( cross( flow( ventilation( ( ( ( ( ( (

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Table(1.10:(Summertime(overheating(number(of(hours(exceeding(25(&(26oC(1st(Jan(–(31st(Dec( 2013( o

*

Percentage*of*hours*>*26 C*

Flat*

CIBSE*Guide*A*criteria* Recorded*conditions*

o

Percentage*of*hours*>*25 C* PHI*Criteria*

Recorded*conditions*

Flat(A((

1%(

0.43%(

10%(

2.6%(

Flat(C((

!%(

2.43%(

10%(

8.6%(

( Table(1.10(shows(that(flat(A(achieved(the(CIBSE(criteria(of(not(exceeding(26oC(for(1%(of(the( year.(((Results(from(Flat(C(were(also(good(but(not(quite(as(good(as(Flat(A(as(it(was(found(that( internal(conditions(were(exceeding(26oC(by(2.43%(of(the(time.((The(reasons(for(this(were:( •

The( tenants( did( not( enable( an( effective( ventilation( strategy( as( they( were( worried( about(their(cat(climbing(out(of(windows(

•

They(had(a(higher(proportion(of(south(facing(glazing(and(roof(lights(than(Flat(A(

•

They(had(no(blinds(on(the(roof(lights(to(reduce(some(solar(gain(

Taking( this( into( consideration( it( shows( that( these( internal( conditions( could( have( been( improved(upon.((Both(sets(of(tenants(were(interviewed(with(regard(to(the(summer(extreme( and(it(was(found(that(neither(had(any(complaints(about(their(summer(comfort(conditions,( thus(suggesting(an(element(of(adaptation(on(behalf(of(the(tenants.(( Comparing( to( the( PHI( criteria( it( can( clearly( be( seen( that( both( flats( are( within( the( 10%( overheating( limit.( ( This( is( an( excellent( result( considering( that( Flat( C( does( not( have( a( very( effective(ventilation(strategy(and(also(the(heat(wave(weather(extreme,(which(is(beyond(the( design( weather( file.( ( This( clearly( shows( that( the( strategy( of( high( mass( with( night( cooling,( cross(flow(ventilation,(and(super(insulated(envelope(to(keep(solar(gain(out(works(with(a(PHI( certified( building.( ( The( BUS( results( also( recorded( positive( comfort( conditions( during( the( summer( period( and( the( survey( was( carried( out( no( long( after( the( summer( heat( wave.(( Further(analysis(on(this(and(the(weather(files(use(can(be(found(in(section(7.(( CO2(and(Air(Quality( The(main(emphasis(of(assessing(C02(levels(was(to(determine(how(the(bedrooms(performed( at( night( when( 1( or( 2( people( were( guaranteed( to( be( present( in( the( room( for( a( prolonged( period.( ( Analysis( of( the( results( found( CO2( levels( in( the( flats( to( have( mean( levels( of( 800( –( 1000( ppm( with( peaks( of( up( to( 1200( <( 1400( ppm( at( night( during( very( cold( winter( periods.(( This( was( higher( than( initially( expected( when( comparing( with( the( standards( found( in( 1.1.2( but( upon( further( analysis( it( found( these( levels( to( be( relatively( reasonable( for( an( occupied( bedroom(at(night(in(a(small(compact(flat.((((Section(7.0(provides(a(more(detailed(analysis.( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Humidity( Humidity(results(have(been(very(positive(in(Flat(A(and(Flat(C(with(both(flats(rarely(dropping( below(40%(RH((relative(humidity)(and(rarely(exceeding(60%(RH.((Flat(B(on(the(other(hand( has(seen(RH(levels(drop(as(low(as(30%(in(winter,(which(is(due(to(the(windows(being(open(in( winter.( ( This( cold( air( load,( in( addition( to( the( air( supply( from( the( MVHR( system,( requires( additional(heating,(which(in(turn(creates(a(higher(volume(of(dry(air(in(the(flat.((Section(7.0( provides(a(more(detailed(analysis.( MVHR(Comfort(and(Efficiency( The( following( table( details( additional( PHI( design( criteria( in( reference( to( heating( and( the( MVHR(system.(((( Table(1.11:(MVHR(Heating,(Comfort(and(Efficiency(Criteria(Results( Criteria*

Description*

Findings*

Heating(comfort(

Space(temperatures(achieve(20(+/<( o 1 C(during(cold(days(in(winter(when( called(for(by(tenants(and(when( occupied(

Table(1.9(shows(that(from(average(temperature( readings(that(this(was(achieved.((Some(cooler(bedroom( temperatures(were(noted(and(this(was(resolved(with(a( the(addition(of(a(panel(heater(for(flat(C.(

o

Maximum(supply(air( Supply(air(temperature(<(52<54 C( temperature( when(heater(battery(is(enabled( o

Data(from(loggers(found(this(condition(was(not( exceeded(

Minimum(supply(air( Supply(air(temperature(>(16.5 C( temperature( when(heater(battery(is(not(enabled(

Date(from(loggers(found(this(temperature(criteria(was( met(

Heat(exchanger( efficiency((

Was(difficult(to(determine(due(to(the(nature(of(the( monitoring(method(–(see(section(8(fir(further(details(

Achieves(a(minimum(of(92%(as( detailed(on(PHI(certificate(during( operation(at(different(conditions( 3

Specific(electrical(fan( Not(to(exceed(0.42(Wh/m ,(as( power( detailed(on(PHI(certificate(during( operation(at(different(conditions(

3(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

Flat(A(=(0.47(Wh/m Flat(C(=(0.55(Wh/m both(flats(slightly(higher(but(still(good(considering( rectangular(ductwork(was(used(

1.7.3* Water* Water( consumption( levels( for( Flats( A( and( B( were( found( to( be( in( line( with( the( design( expectations( of( below( 80( l/s/day/person.( ( ( Both( flats( containing( 2( people( were( recording( daily( figures( of( between( 100( –( 160( litres( per( day( and( so( were( mostly( below( the( design( target.(( Flat(C(on(the(other(hand(was(recording(daily(figures(of(320(litres(a(day(for(2(people.((This(is(in( excess( of( a( standard( household( usage.( ( Interviews( with( the( tenants( stated( that( they( were( not( having( excessively( long( showers( and( they( could( not( understand( it.( ( South( West( Water( had(attended(the(flat(to(check(for(leaks(and(had(confirmed(that(there(were(none.(((As(part(of( this( study( the( meter( readings( were( compared( with( the( consumption( readings( from( the( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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3((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

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tenants( water( bills( and( it( was( found( to( be( the( same,( thus( suggesting( that( these( particular( tenants(as(well(as(having(high(socket(and(appliance(loads(also(are(high(water(consumers.(

1.7.4* Tenant*Feedback* The(tenants(have(been(very(positive(about(their(experiences(living(in(the(Passivhaus(flats(at( Knights(Place(to(date.( “I#love#the#fact#that#the#flat#is#warm#all#the#time#and#whenever#I#come#in#from#outside#it#is# always#nice#and#warm#unlike#any#other#building#I#have#been#in”# “#I#have#never#felt#uncomfortably#hot#or#cold#a#single#day#since#moving#in”# In( addition( to( this( kind( of( feedback( the( BUS( questionnaire( also( produced( very( positive( results.( ( Figure( 1.6( shows( the( scores( received( for( comfort( conditions( throughout( the( year( and( the( BUS( survey( was( carried( out( not( long( after( the( 2013( summer( heat( wave( and( the( winter( ending( in( 2013,( which,( was( the( one( of( the( longest( and( coldest( for( 50( years.(((( Temperature(in(winter(received(an(orange(light(and(this(was(mainly(because(some(tenants( struggled(to(understand(the(MVHR(system(and(the(fact(that(it(was(also(the(heating(system( with( a( heater( battery( in( the( supply( air.( ( For( these( tenants( small( wall( panel( heaters( were( fitted(which(improved(the(situation.((( Figure(1.6:(BUS(Summary(Results(

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2 About the building: design and construction audit, drawings and SAP calculation review (

2.1

Knights Place and Passivhaus

The(building(design(is(based(on(‘Passivhaus’(principles.((( ‘A# Passive# house# is# a# building# in# which# a# comfortable# interior# climate# can# be# maintained# without#active#heating#and#cooling#systems’((Adamson(1987(&(Feist(1988).((( The( house( heats( and( cools( itself,( hence( ‘passive’.( ( Increased( insulation( standards,( exceptional(levels(of(airtightness(and(a(compact(building(skin(are(elemental(components(for( this( relatively( new( standard.( ( Heat( losses( can( be( reduced( to( a( minimum( resulting( in( a( requirement( for( space( heating( as( low( as( 15( kWh/m2/year.( ( In( addition( the( overall( primary( energy(requirements(of(a(Passivhaus,(which(includes(all(electrical(consumption(in(the(home( (appliance,(heating,(ventilation,(lights,(must(not(exceed(more(than(120(kWh/(m2/yr).( By(choosing(the(best(orientation(for(the(building(and(by(optimising(solar(gains,(the(energy( performance( of( the( design( is( such( that( a( conventional( heating( system( is( not( required( and( energy(consumption(is(minimised.(( Figure(2.1:((Site(Layout((

( (

2.2

Flats(B(&(C(location(on(

Flat( A( location( on(

st nd st Thermal Envelope and Orientation 1 (&(2 (floors( 1 (floor(

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The( scheme( consists( of( 2( blocks( of( flats( each( containing( 9( units.( ( Each( block( has( 3( storeys( and( there( are( in( total( 12( two<bed( and( 6( one<bed( flats.( ( ( ( A( typical( layout( can( be( seen( in( Figure(4(of(both(flat(types.((Block(1(is(orientated(toward(the(South(East(and(block(2(toward( the(South(West;(both(blocks(having(good(solar(orientation.((The(3(flats(that(are(part(of(the( BPE(study(are(located(in(block(2.((Referring(to(Figure(2.1,(Flat(A(is(in(the(middle(of(block(2(on( the(first(floor(and(flats(B(and(C(are(at(the(southerly(gable(end(on(the(1st(and(2nd(floors.(((

2.2.1* Windows*and*Glazing* All( flats( contain( full( height( glazed( doors( and( windows( that( were( sized( to( optimise( daylight( and( solar( gain( in( winter.( ( Full( height( glazed( doors( at( first( floor( and( second( floor( level( incorporate(Juliet(balconies(as(can(be(seen(in(Figure(2.2(which(shows(the(balconies(clearly(in( the(gable(end(of(block(2.(((( Figure(2.2:(Knights(Place(image((block(1(and(2)(

( ( Flat( B( location( on( ST

1 (floor(

Flat( C( location( on( nd

2 (floor(

(

Typical( roof( light( and( solar( panel( detail,( the( same(detail(can(be(found(on(block(2(also(

(

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The(idea(behind(the(doors(and(in(particular(the(Juliet(balconies(at(higher(levels(is(that(the( occupants(can(open(up(the(rooms(to(the(outside,(bringing(in(fresh(air(and(cooling(in(summer( and(increasing(their(interaction(with(the(landscape.((( All( windows( and( doors( are( high( performance( triple( glazed( with( thermally( broken( frames,( maximum(Uvalues:((0.85(W/m2K.(((Nordan(non(Passivhaus(certified(windows(were(chosen(by( the(client(as(these(were(ÂŁ100,(000(cheaper(than(Passivhaus(certified(units.((This(resulted(in( additional(thermal(calculations(for(the(design(team(as(the(manufacturer(had(no(U<value(data( for(the(doors(and(the(calculations(had(to(be(carried(in(accordance(with(BSEN10077.( They( were( also( found( to( have( thinner( timber( frames( and( ironmongery( that( was( not( very( robust.( ( The( latter( being( important( for( triple( glazed( units,( which( are( heavier( than( double( glazed( units( resulting( in( more( pressure( being( applied( to( the( ironmongery( when( used.( ( In( some(instances(some(handles(had(worked(loose(from(the(frame.( Figure(2.3:(Flat(C,(block(2(roof(light(details(

Roof(lights(on(roof(of(Flat(C( (

(

2.2.2** Wall*Constructions* The( wall( elements( are( predominantly( solid( block( (215mm)( with( an( external( wall( insulation( system((EWI)(of(250mm(EPS(grey.((Render(was(then(applied(to(the(external(face(of(the(EPS.(( Internal( surfaces( of( the( block( work( were( hard( plastered( and( skimmed.( ( ( The( U<values( calculated(for(this(wall(type(at(design(stage(were(0.122(W/m2.K.( A( small( proportion( of( the( wall( construction( is( made( up( of( a( cavity( wall,( which( only( affects( one(elevation(of(the(middle(flats(where(the(wall(meets(the(external(balcony,(in(this(instance( Flat(A(of(the(study.((This(wall(construction(consists(of(250mm(block(work(cavity(wall(filled( with( 250mm( mineral( wool( insulation,( an( additional( layer( of( 50mm( EPS( was( applied( to( the( outer( face.( ( The( U<values( calculated( for( this( wall( type( at( design( stage( were( 0.11( W/m2.K.(( Figure(2.4(highlights(where(both(wall(types(are(in(the(construction.(

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Figure(2.4:(Typical(Layout(of(1(and(2(bed(flats((( ( (

Blockwork(wall(with(EWI(

Balcony(cavity(wall(

(

Flat( A( location(

Flat(B(&(C(location(

and(layout(

and(layout(

* 2.2.3* Floor*and*Roof*Construction* The(roof(consists(of(a(simple(thermal(construction;(a(cold(roof(with(410mm(of(mineral(wool( insulation( at( ceiling( level( resulting( in( a( U<value( of( 0.089( W/m2.K.( ( Floor( construction( was( made( up( with( a( concrete( base( with( 200( mm( EPS( insulation( on( top( followed( by( 65mm( of( screed(with(hard(tiling(finish.((The(final(U<value(was(0.166(W/m2.K.(

(

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2.3

Air Tightness Strategy

Area*

Air*Tightness*Strategy*

Walls*

The(main(air(tightness(strategy(for(the(building(was(reliant(on(scratch(coat(plaster(and(wet(plaster(skim( direct( to( blockwork( walls.( ( The( building( had( been( designed( with( high( thermal( mass;( all( walls( internal( and( external( were( therefore( blockwork.( ( There( was( no( timber( stud( or( dot( and( dabbed( plasterboard( creating( air( gaps;( it( was( all( based( on( plaster( skim( making( direct( contact( with( the( mass.( ( This( also( ensured(that(the(mass(was(not(thermally(decoupled(as(typically(happens(when(applying(plasterboard( to( blockwork( walls.( ( It( is( also( recognised( as( a( robust( air( tightness( strategy,( the( plaster( layer( itself( forming(the(barrier.((Attention(is(required(in(all(corners(where(wall(meets(wall,(and(where(wall(meets( floor(and(ceiling(to(ensure(that(a(continuous(plaster(layer(is(maintained.((

Floor*

The( floor( was( screed( with( hard( tiling( on( top.( This( helped( to( maintain( the( mass( approach( and( was( considered(a(robust(detail.((The(main(weakness(was(the(element(where(the(walls(meet(the(floor(and( any(service(penetrations.((Air(can(travel(through(the(soil(and(ground(externally,(flow(beneath(the(base( of(the(wall(and(up(at(the(junction(point(where(the(wall(meets(the(internal(floor.(( The(air(tightness(strategy(at(the(junction(where(the(walls(met(the(floor(consisted(of(a(Pro(clime(DAS(air( tight(tape(sealed(to(floor(with(Orcon(F(a(specialist(air(tight(silicon(sealant.(

Roof*

At(pitched(roof(level(air(tightness(was(achieved(with(a(vapour(check(membrane(acting(as(the(air(barrier( and(taped(in(place(by(both(Tyvek(tape(and(Tescon(tapes.(

Services*

Services( penetrations( into( ground( slab,( such( as( cold( water( pipes( and( soil( vent( stacks,( complete( with( purpose(made(air(tight(collar(which(seals(service(to(damp(proof(membrane.((At(screed(level(back(filled( around(with(fire(expanding(mortar.((( Solar( pipework( penetrations( to( roof( with( purpose( made( air( tight( collar( sealing( service( to( air( tight( membrane.( Fresh(air(duct(penetrations(in(external(walls(with(purpose(made(air(tight(collar(sealing(duct(to(air(tight( plastered(wall.( Socket(boxes(and(chased(cables(into(walls(made(air(tight(by(ensuring(a(layer(of(plaster(behind(service.( All(cable(and(penetrations(into(flats(with(purpose(made(air(tight(collar(sealing(duct(to(air(tight(plastered( wall.(

Training**

Training( was( provided( via( workshops( and( presentations( to( the( contactor( and( sub( contractors( with( regards(to(the(scheme,(its(design(intent(and(what(was(expected(with(regards(to(air(tightness(

Pre* air* Every(flat(was(tested(for(air(tightness(once(all(components(of(the(air(barrier(were(in(place(and(before( tightness* the(false(ceilings(were(up.((Where(a(particular(flat(did(not(meet(the(specified(standard,(further(sealing( tests* up( work( and( air( testing( was( carried( out.( Prior( to( practical( completion( all( units( were( included( in( the(final(air(test(again.((

* 2.3.1* Air*Tightness*Strategy*Advantages* The(main(advantages(of(using(plaster(as(an(air(tightness(strategy(is(that(it(is(a(simple(strategy( to(apply(and(does(not(require(any(specialist(product(or(system(or(sub(contractor.((Plastering( is(also(a(well(established(trade(within(the(UK(hence(no(specialist(sub(contractor(is(required.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Tradesmen(simply(need(to(carry(out(their(job(diligently(paying(attention(to(ensure(that(there( are(no(gaps(in(the(plaster(skim.(((Another(advantage(it(has,(over(methods(of(air(tightness,(is( that(it(is(robust(and(not(so(easily(damaged(by(other(fit(out(trades(which(could(happen(with( tape(and(membrane(systems.((( (

2.4

Building Services Strategy

As(the(building(had(been(designed(with(a(fabric(first(approach(to(reduce(energy(this(meant( that(little(was(required(in(the(way(of(heating(and(services(were(kept(simple.( Service*

Details**

MVHR*

The( MVHR( system( comprises( the( Zehnder( CA200( and( has( operating( efficiencies( as( tested( and( calculated( by( the( BRE( under( SAP( appendix( Q( of:( heat( exchanger( efficiency( of( 93%( &( specific( fan( power(of(0.91(W/l/s( In( addition( the( unit( is( Passivhaus( Institute( (PHI)( certified( which( details( heat( exchanger( efficiency( of( 3

92%(&(specific(fan(power(of(0.42(Wh/m ( Initially(another(MVHR(system(was(specified(which(was(going(through(the(PHI(certification(process(at( the( time( of( design.( ( As( it( had( not( been( certified( at( the( time( of( starting( on( site( it( was( changed( to( a( certified(model.((The(CA200(unit(was(chosen(because(it(was(highly(efficient,(compact(and(suitable(for( small(flats,(and(more(importantly(the(suppliers(and(manufacturers(provided(good(technical(support( for(the(product.(( Cold(intake(and(exhaust(ducts(are(wrapped(in(75mm(of(mineral(wool(and(are(fully(vapour(sealed.((Air( is(supplied(via(rigid,(hard,(predominantly(rectangular,(metal(ducts(to(supply(disc(valves(in(bedrooms( and(living(rooms(and(is(extracted(in(the(same(manner(from(wet(rooms.((A(short(length(of(flexible(duct( with(flexible(duct(attenuators(connects(the(supply(and(extract(ducts(to(the(unit.((The(MVHR(unit,(due( to(flat(layout(and(the(fact(that(it(is(small(and(compact,(is(located(towards(the(middle(of(the(flat,(which( results(in(cold(duct(lengths(of(approximately(5(metres.(((( Air(volumes(were(commissioned(in(accordance(with(Part(F(to(both(high(and(minimum(settings.((The( units(run(continuously(in(minimum(setting(mode(throughout(winter(periods(with(an(automatic(hour( boost(in(the(morning(and(evening.((Tenants(can(override(the(boost(button(for(an(additional(hour(by( pushing(a(button(on(the(unit.((F7(filters(are(installed(in(the(supply(side(and(G4(filters(are(installed(on( the(extract(side.((Filters(are(changed(on(a(yearly(basis(by(ECC(maintenance(staff.(((

( Heating*

Heat( requirements( are( minimal( so( there( is( no( conventional( heating( system( installed.( ( ( Any( background(heat(required(during(winter(extremes(is(via(an(electrical(post(heater(element(called(the( PTC(Proxon(heating(element,(which(is(located(in(the(supply(air(duct(after(the(heat(exchanger.((Each( flat(has(an(average(peak(calculated(heat(loss(in(the(region(of(400(–(500(Watts(and(because(this(load( was(so(low(a(conventional(heating(system(was(not(installed.((The(Proxon(unit(is(1250(Watts(in(total,( which( modulates( up( at( 250( Watts( at( a( time,( as( heat( is( required.( ( ( Control( is( simply( via( a( wall(

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remain(below(52 C(to(prevent(dust(pyrolysis,(which(occurs(at(temperatures(higher(than(this.(((Hence,( the(air(volume(being(supplied(to(the(flat(ultimately(dictates(the(quantity(of(delivered(heat.((( This(type(of(heating(was(chosen(because(the(heat(loss(was(so(low,(it(did(not(warrant(a(conventional( heating( system( especially( by( a( costly( renewable( energy( heat( source.( ( It( was( inexpensive,( simple( to( install(and(did(not(take(any(room(in(the(flats.((The(modulating(electric(element(and(its(sophisticated( control(were(also(keys(to(its(choice.((Once(an(electric(heater(had(been(decided(which(did(warrant(any( form(of(wet(heating(system(a(decision(was(made(not(to(bring(gas(into(the(flats,(thus(creating(further( costs(savings.((( As(the(design(team(had(not(used(this(heating(strategy(before(in(conjunction(with(a(MVHR(system(in(a( domestic( application( it( was( decided( to( provide( a( back( up( plan.( ( Blanked( plate( fused( spurs( were( installed(in(the(living(rooms(and(bedrooms(where(a(small(panel(heater(could(be(installed(at(a(future( date(in(case(some(flats(struggled(to(optimise(the(MVHR(supply(air(heating.((

( Hot*Water*

A(single(Solartwin(thermal(solar(panel(serves(hot(water(requirements(for(each(flat.((It(is(anticipated( that(this(will(provide(50<60%(of(the(yearly(hot(water(load(in(each(flat.(((Each(panel(connects(to(a(140( litre( hot( water( cylinder( and( back( is( up( is( via( a( 3kW( electric( immersion( heater.( ( Control( of( the( immersion(element(is(via(a(wall(mounted(time(clock(controller.((( This(system(had(particular(benefits(for(ECC(as(it(was(totally(freeze(tolerant(not(requiring(anti<freeze(or( annual( top( up( maintenance( cycles.( ( In( addition( the( pump( is( PV( operated( not( requiring( any( mains( electric(to(run.(((

( Lighting* &* All(lighting(systems(installed(were(dedicated(low(energy(fittings.(((All(electrical(systems(were(designed( Electrics* and( installed( to( reduce( electro( magnetic( radiation( (EMR).( ( This( was( achieved( via( good( practice( low( EMR(design(installation:(<(radial(circuits(not(rings(mains,(no(wiring(beneath(beds,(correct(phasing(of(2( way(light(switching.( ( Pipework* All( pipework( and( ducts( were( specified(to( be(non(PVC.(( Hot(and(cold(water(pipework( was( therefore( services* &* Pex(pipe(and(drainages(were(ABS(plastic(both(considered(better(materials(environmentally(than(PVC.(( drainage* Hot(and(cold(pipework(was(fully(insulated(throughout.(((( (

( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Figure(2.5(Typical(MVHR(Layout(in(the(Flats((( Flat(C(MVHR(Plan(Layout((2nd(storey(flat)(

Flat(C(MVHR(3D(Layout((2nd(storey(flat)(

(

(

( MVHR(location(cold(ducts(rise(to(roof(level(

( Flat(B(MVHR(Plan(Layout((1st(storey(flat)(

Flat(B(MVHR(3D(Layout((1st(storey(flat)(

( ( (

MVHR(location,(cold(ducts(run(horizontally(to(external(walls( (

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2.5

Design Intent and Final Product

2.5.1* PHI*Standard* The(design(intent(was(to(design(and(deliver(an(exemplar(low(energy(building(that(achieved( PHI( ( certification( and( to( do( so( in( the( most( sustainable( way( considering( materials,( external( spaces,(comfort,(health(and((the(well(being(of(the(occupants.((( The(reason(why(the(Passivhaus(standard(was(adopted(by(the(design(team(was(because(it(is( the( only( recognised( low( energy( design( standard( in( Europe( that( can( actually( deliver( on( its( design(intent.((Currently(in(the(UK,(there(is(the(Standard(Assessment(Procedure((SAP)(and( the(Code(for(Sustainable(Homes((CSH)(neither(of(which(are(considered(design(tools(that(can( be(used(at(concept(stage.((SAP(is(a(compliance(tool(and(is(used(to(check(designs(and(ensure( they( meet( Part( L( of( the( Building( Energy( Regulations,( which( then( feeds( into( the( energy( section(of(the(CSH.((There(are(methods(and(tools(by(which(designers(can(design,(assess(and( develop( low( energy( strategies( at( concept( stages( which( are( based( on( experience( and( using( tools( such( as( IES( (Integrated( Environmental( Solutions)( thermal( modelling( software.( ( This( approach( however( still( does( not( have( any( fixed( universally( agreed( energy( benchmarks( during(the(design(process(that(can(be(comparable(to(other(projects.((It(relies(on(each(design( team’s( interpretation( of( what( elements( are( considered( low( energy.( ( By( following( the( PHI( standard,(not(only(is(there(a(design(tool(at(concept(stage(for(designers(to(be(incorporating( physics(and(low(energy(strategies(at(the(outset(but(within(it,(there(are(agreed(technical(low( energy( standards( that( designers( have( to( adopt( such( as( the( yearly( heat( loss( target( and( air( permeability(target.(( The(PHI(design(standard(was(developed(in(the(early(1990s(in(Germany(and(rapidly(grew(from( then(onwards.((In(2010(there(were(approximately(20,(000(PHI(certified(buildings(in(Europe( (Passivhaus(Trust(2011).((The(standard(has(been(tried(and(tested(for(over(20(years(and(it(has( been(found(via(post(occupancy(monitoring(similar(to(this(project(that(it(delivers(on(its(intent.(( The( attention( to( thermal( and( building( physics( detail( throughout( the( design( stages( is( also( continued(on(site(to(ensure(that(quality(of(the(design(is(actually(delivered.(((

2.5.2* IES*Thermal*Modelling* During( early( concept( stages( IES( thermal( modelling( was( carried( out( on( generic( super( insulated(housing(types(being(developed(by(G&S(for(ECC.((This(early(modelling(investigated(a( range( of( construction( types( ranging( from( heavyweight( block( and( plaster( building( to( light( weight( timber( frame( to( determine( the( optimum( year( round( comfort( and( energy( consumption.((It(soon(became(clear(that,(with(the(approach(that(G&S(were(developing(using( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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triple(glazing(and(a(highly(insulated(envelope(with(high(air(tightness(levels,(each(flat’s(heat( loss(levels(were(so(minimal(that(the(practical(choice(available(was(to(design(it(out(further.(( There(was(no(practical(mechanical(heating(solution(to(heat(such(low(levels.((It(was(therefore( decided(to(go(the(next(step(and(design(to(the(PHI(standard(and(make(use(of(MVHR(systems( for(fresh(air(in(winter.((This(approach(was(agreed(with(the(client(and(the(Passivhaus(Planning( Package((PHPP)((the(PHI(design(tool)(was(used(to(assist(with(the(design(of(Knights(Place.(((

2.5.3* Comfort** During( the( design( stages( various( strategies( were( assessed( in( order( to( limit( summertime( overheating(and(to(optimise(good(daylight(levels.((These(were(thermally(modelled(using(the( Passivhaus(Planning(Package((PHPP)(and(Integrated(Environmental(Solutions((IES)(software.(( A(heavy(weight(mass(strategy(was(developed(in(conjunction(with(cross(flow(ventilation.((All( internal(and(external(walls(are(heavy(weight(block(with(plaster(skim(in(direct(contact,(which( has( benefits( both( for( connecting( the( thermal( mass( to( the( internal( spaces,( and( providing( a( robust,(primary(air(barrier.((All(floors(are(hard(tiled(onto(a(solid(sub(floor.((Natural(ventilation( in( single( aspect( flats( is( limited( at( reducing( overheating( and( all( flats( at( Knights( Place( were( designed(with(a(double(aspect(to(encourage(cross(flow(ventilation.(( Carefully( scaled( windows( allow( for( optimum( daylight( and( solar( gain( levels( for( enhanced( environmental( performance.( ( This( together( with( the( highly( insulated( envelope( of( the( buildings,(and(high(levels(of(air(tightness(of(less(than(0.6(m3/m3/hr(enabled(the(buildings(to( achieve(space(heating(requirements(of(less(than(15(kWh/m2/yr.((( (

2.6

The Design Review Changes that Occurred

Once( the( client( had( accepted( the( PHI( standard( and( the( brief( was( set( there( was( little( to( nothing(that(could(be(changed(thermally(as(this(would(affect(achieving(the(PHI(standard(of( 15(kWh/m2/yr.(((ECC(and(the(design(team(were(fully(committed(to(the(PHI(standard(and(this( left(little(to(value(engineer(out.((((Building(services(were(also(minimal(hence(nothing(could(be( designed(out(without(affecting(the(building(performance.(((( The(only(change(that(did(occur(concerned(the(MVHR(system.((The(original(system(specified( was(a(unit(that(was(undergoing(PHI(certification(during(the(design(process.((At(construction( stage(it(still(had(not(been(certified,(it(was(therefore(decided(to(change(the(MVHR(system(to( one(that(had(been(certified(and(this(was(the(Zehnder(Comofair(CA200(unit.(( (

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2.7

Construction Management Review

2.7.1* Construction*Contract* The( procurement( for( the( project( was( a( JCT( Traditional( Intermediate( Form( of( Building( Contract,(2005(with(Design(Content.(ECC(employed(directly(all(Consultants(and(the(project( was( fully( designed( and( tendered( with( a( QS( Bill( of( Quantities.( ( The( Design( team( remained( with(ECC(and(the(Contract(Administrators(were(Gale(&(Snowden(Architects(Ltd.( The(IFC(2005(Traditional(Form(of(Building(Contract(was(chosen(by(ECC(compared(to(a(Design( and(Build(Building(Contract(because(ECC(wanted(to(remain(in(control(of(the(quality(of(the( design.((The(client(appreciated(that(a(Passivhaus(approach(demands(great(attention(to(detail( with(specialist(input,(which(extends(from(design(work(into(on(site(quality(control.((It(was(felt( that(a(D&B(Contract(was(not(suitable(for(the(high(demands(required(to(achieve(Passivhaus( Certification( because( the( level( of( skills( and( knowledge( for( this( type( of( approach( in( the( Construction(Industry(is(not(well(developed(at(the(present(time(in(the(UK.( The(design(team(included(information(above(and(beyond(what(would(be(considered(normal( for( a( Building( Contractor( tender( such( as( specifications( for( air( tightness( champion( and( air( tightness(testing,(and(the(Passivhaus(Planning(Package(assessment(report.((In(addition(ECC( paid(for(contractor(and(sub<contractor(air(tightness(training(once(the(contract(was(let.((( The( JCT( Intermediate( Form( of( Building( contract( was( used( rather( than( a( Design( and( Build( (D&B)( Contract( because( it( allowed( the( client( to( have( a( higher( degree( of( control( over( the( design(and(quality(of(the(building.(( Architects( instructions( were( issued( for( any( clarifications( for( the( Contractor( regarding( the( Contract( Documents.( ( Minor( changes( occurred( on( site( but( these( would( not( affect( the( performance( of( the( building.( ( Knights( Place( was( mainly( built( in( terms( of( thermal( performance(as(per(the(Contract(Documents.( The( Knights( Place( scheme( was( delayed( by( approximately( 14( weeks,( largely( due( to( poor( weather,(and(was(delivered(on(budget.(

2.7.2* Construction*Challenges* The( scheme( with( its( environmental( and( low( energy( design( intent,( and( its( aim( to( be( PHI( certified(presented(a(number(of(construction(challenges.(( The( construction( details( themselves( <( blockwork( walls,( EWI( &( render( and( hard( plaster( on( inner(surfaces(were(considered(by(both(the(designers(and(contractor(to(be(a(simple(enough( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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detail( to( construct,( and( to( be( a( concise( method( of( construction.( ( The( contractor( built( the( shell( and( blockwork( walls( and( a( specialist( installer( applied( the( EWI( and( external( render( system.((Although(it(was(a(simple(detail(there(were(complications(on(site.((( For(financial(reasons(the(contractor(made(the(decision(to(not(weather(protect(the(building( during(the(construction(process.((In(addition(the(contractor(also(delayed(start(on(site(by(8( weeks(after(the(original(programme(on(start(date.(((( Both( decisions( resulted( in( the( building( reaching( a( certain( stage( in( construction( during( the( mid(winter(period(where(the(walls(and(each(floor(slab(was(complete(but(there(was(no(roof( or( any( other( form( of( weather( protection.( ( The( winter( of( 2010( –( 2011( was( a( very( severe( winter(with(prolonged(periods(of(heavy(rain(and(snow((4<5(weeks)(and(temperatures(falling( to(as(low(as(<14oC.((The(roof(installation(was(then(delayed(because(of(the(snow.((To(be(fair(to( the(contractor,(the(cold(and(snow(conditions(were(very(unusual(for(the(Exeter(region.((The( construction(therefore(was(exposed(during(the(Christmas(period(and(became(saturated(with( rain(pouring(through(holes(in(slab(levels(made(for(soil(and(vent(pipes,(which(were(still(to(be( installed.((The(saturation(was(further(exaggerated(by(the(wet(plaster(on(the(internal(walls,( which(was(not(just(one(skim(but(consisted(of(a(scratch(coat(and(final(skim.((It(then(became( very(difficult(to(stick(air(tightness(tapes(for(service(penetrations(through(the(walls(and(where( ground(floor(met(the(external(walls.((It(was(a(very(challenging(period(for(the(contractor(on( site( and( one( that( is( not( likely( to( be( forgotten( in( a( hurry.( ( This( resulted( in( the( overall( construction( programme( being( delayed( by( 14( weeks.( ( Despite( these( issues( on( site( the( scheme(was(finished(and(achieved(the(air(tight(targets(specified.((It(is(important(to(note(that( these(challenges(are(not(a(result(of(the(construction(detail(but(more(a(result(of(how(it(was( managed( and( sequenced( as( these( weather( related( issues( can( happen( with( any( type( of( construction(method(if(not(managed(accordingly.((( The(following(is(based(on(contractor(interviews:((( Achieving(the(airtightness(specification(was(the(biggest(on(site(challenge(for(the(contractor.(( During(the(period(2010<2011(no(contractors(had(delivered(large(scale(social(housing(PHI(in( the(UK.((PHI(certified(schemes(were(few(and(far(between(in(the(UK(and(were(mostly(one<off( private( house( projects( by( dedicated( enthusiasts.( ( The( contractor( did( not( fully( appreciate( what( 0.6( air( changes( meant( and( the( challenges( involved( in( actually( achieving( the( level( on( site.( ( When( the( contractor( first( priced( the( scheme( back( in( 2008<2009( and( completed( the( competitive(tender(to(win(the(project,(the(economic(market(and(construction(industry(was( in(a(bad(shape.((There(was(very(little(understanding(of(PHI(design(and,(due(to(the(economic( climate,( contractors( were( putting( themselves( at( risk( when( pricing( if( a)( they( did( not( spend( enough(time(pricing(the(work(and(b)(they(did(not(educate(themselves(about(PHI(design(and( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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the(implications(it(would(have(during(construction.((The(contractor(admits(to(both(these(key( points.( ( Five( years( on( it( is( somewhat( different( now( in( the( UK,( more( PHI( certified( schemes( have( been( designed( and( delivered( and( there( is( a( greater( understanding( of( PHI( design( and( construction.(( The( other( issue( that( the( contractor( highlighted( is( the( fact( that( most( contractors( pay( too( much(attention(to(the(documents(drawn(up(by(the(QS(on(the(project,(the(‘bill(of(quantities’( and(not(enough(attention(on(the(design(specifications(and(drawings(especially(when(pricing.((( If(the(design(specifications(are(not(read(and(fully(digested(then(key(information(pertinent(to( achieving( the( standard( can( be( missed.( ( The( contractor( admitted( to( looking( at( the( scheme( when(setting(out(the(programme(and(sequencing(the(works(on(site,(saw(2(blocks(of(flats(and( based(on(past(experience(set(the(programme(for(40(weeks.((There(were(no(allowances(in(the( programme(or(price(for(air(tightness(detailing(and(installing(and(the(time(it(took(to(pressure( test( and( check( each( flat( prior( to( covering( up.( ( Some( flats( took( several( tests( prior( to( being( satisfied.((In(addition,(installing(the(air(tight(tapes(and(layers(also(added(extra(time(on(site.((( Between( handover( from( design( stage( to( construction( there( is( usually( a( lack( of( time( for( contractors(to(fully(grasp(the(scheme(and(detail(in(the(design.((The(fluidity(that(has(occurred( during(the(design(process(up(to(tender(issue(stops(and(the(contractor(takes(on(the(scheme.((( Typically( the( contractors( QS( then( takes( hold( of( the( project( and( begins( to( set( the( budget,( which( also( sets( the( programme.( ( ( This( programme( can( be( set( based( on( the( experience( of( previous( projects( and( not( necessarily( a( PHI( designed( project,( which( will( have( different( sequencing( requirements.( ( ( ( Prior( to( starting( on( site( the( project( can( change( hands( several( times(within(a(contractors(organisation(prior(to(be(handing(over(to(the(site(team.(( In(addition(many(sub(contractors(are(not(appointed(when(the(scheme(has(started(on(site(as( the( main( contractor( is( still( tendering( the( sub( contractors( packages.( ( With( the( programme( already(set(and(little(time(to(fully(understand(the(detail(the(project(commences(on(site(and( the(sub(contractors(are(appointed.(((It(is(highly(likely(that(is(the(scheme(is(not(fully(grasped( by( the( main( contractor( and( even( less( so( by( the( sub( contractors( who( will( have( not( made( sufficient(allowance(in(price(and(resource(to(do(the(job(properly.((( The(contractor(did(point(out(that(the(choice(and(quality(of(products(can(also(make(achieving( the(air(tightness(difficult(on(site.(((For(economic(reasons(Nordan(doors(and(windows(were( chosen(to(be(installed.((It(was(found(that(the(Nordan(doors(did(not(have(a(very(good(fit(into( their(frame(systems(and(leaked(air.((Despite(it(having(seals,(if(there(are(gaps(then(air(will(still( leak.(((The(Tyvek(tapes(that(were(part(of(the(roof(membrane(system(that(are(considered(an( air(tight(tape(product(which(have(been(tested(to(the(required(standard(were(found(not(to(be( as(robust(as(another(product(used(the(Tescon(tape.(((The(Tyvek(tape(was(found(in(places(to( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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have(not(adhered(so(well(to(the(membrane(as(the(Tescon(tape.((As(a(result(of(this(study(it( was( found( that( the( Tescon( tape( being( 4( times( the( price( of( the( Tyvek( tape( has( better( adherence(qualities(and(is(more(forgiving(and(reliable(when(applying(where(there(could(be( dust( or( damp( membranes.( ( A( cheaper( product( with( a( lower( quality( of( adhesive( and( tape( strength(would(also(require(a(higher(level(of(workmanship(and(site(supervision(on(site.(((It( was(also(observed(during(the(TSB(monitoring(air(test(at(Rowan(House(another(scheme(that( during(depressurisation(the(Tyvek(tapes(would(lose(their(adherence(to(the(membrane(and( the( Tescon( tapes( stayed( firmly( in( place.( ( It( is( an( important( consideration( when( using( membrane(and(tape(systems(that(suitable(products(are(used(that(are(robust(and(can(adhere( well(in(construction(environments(which(are(often(damp(and(dusty.((((( Another( challenge( was( that( the( external( access( walkways( to( the( flats( to( Knights( Place( had( not( been( constructed( in( accordance( with(the( Building( Contract( documents( and( details( and(whilst(not(directly(affecting(the(detailing(of(the(thermal(envelope(of(the(building,(some( water( ingress( has( been(experienced( in( certain( flats,( which(may( have( affected( the( thermal(performance(of( the( building.( (This( issue( it( was( found( was( also( having( a( negative( affect( on( the( way( the( tenants( viewed( the( scheme.( ( This( matter( is( ongoing( and( soon( to( be(resolved(with(remedial(works(being(undertaken(shortly.(

2.7.3* Construction*Changes* Discussions(with(the(team(found(that(there(were(two(main(changes(to(the(design(during(the( construction(process.(((These(were:( •

MVHR(ductwork(

•

Air(tight(tape(system(where(ground(floor(slab(meets(external(wall(

MVHR(Ductwork( The(specifications(asked(for(ductwork(to(be(installed(to(be(manufactured(to(DW144(class(C( (or( equivalent).( ( Unfortunately( the( ductwork( that( was( supplied( was( not( considered( an( air( tight( duct( system.( ( Despite( lengthy( correspondence( between( the( design( team( and( the( contractors( and( installers( it( was( not( changed( to( the( original( specification( and( the( installer( agreed(to(seal(all(air(gaps(with(a(suitable(duct(sealant(on(site.((This(was(closely(observed(on( site( to( ensure( that( it( was( carried( out.( ( Giving( credit( to( the( installer( all( duct( joints( where( suitably(sealed.(( It(is(important(that(ductwork(systems(are(suitably(air(tight(for(the(following(reasons:( •

Cold(air(can(exit(the(duct(prior(to(the(heat(recovery(process((

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•

It(can(reduce(air(quality(as(recirculated(air(is(pulled(back(into(the(duct(rather(than(it( being(100%(fresh(air(

•

It(can(affect(the(air(permeability(pressure(test(as(the(MVHR(is(switched(off(during(the( test,( whilst( the( grilles( in( the( room( are( usually( covered( during( the( test,( holes( in( ductwork(concealed(by(ceilings(can(provide(major(leakage(paths((

Following(on(from(this,(the(design(team(now(adopt(the(approach(where(the(MVHR(system(is( fully(designed(and(detailed(by(the(mechanical(consultant,(rather(than(by(the(supplier,(and( the(preferred(air(tight(ductwork(system(is(named(whether(it(is(a(product(such(as(Lindab(Safe( duct(with(gasket(seal(or(the(Comfotube(system(by(Zehnder(or(other(equivalent.( Tape(at(ground(floor(level( The( ground( floor( air( tight( detail( changed( during( construction.( ( The( detail( was( originally( considered(to(be(very(robust;(Figure(5(provides(the(full(details.(((The(original(detail(was(for( the(pro(clime(tape(to(make(the(junction(air(tight(by(sealing(the(DPC(to(the(wall(as(shown.(( During( construction( the( DPC,( although( a( durable( product,( became( repeatedly( damaged( by( various(trades,(in(particular,(where(it(bends(inside(the(wall(to(run(down(its(inner(face.((The( architect(deemed(this(to(be(too(high(a(risk(to(the(air(permeability(and(an(additional(measure( was( applied.( ( An( air( tight( tape( was( applied( to( the( top( of( the( screed( to( connect( to( the( plastered(wall(thus(now(making(the(screed(the(air(tight(barrier.((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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Figure(2.6(Ground(Floor(Junction(Air(Tight(Detail(( Damp(proof(course(membrane(

#

Pro(clime(DAS(air(tight(tape(

#

(

( As(a(result(of(this,(for(future(designs,(the(architects(have(now(decided(not(to(use(the(DPC(as( an( air( tight( barrier( and( to( look( into( alternatives( such( as( concrete( floor( construction( and( plastering(down(the(wall(to(meet(the(concrete(layer.(((

2.7.4* Construction*Positives* Despite( weather( related( issues( keeping( the( construction( dry,( the( blockwork( wall( with( EWI( and( internal( plaster( skim( was( considered( a( simple( construction( detail( to( build( and( also( to( maintain( air( tightness( integrity( during( its( build.( ( Any( construction( details( would( have( had( other(weather(related(issues(unless(a(strategy(was(used(to(keep(the(build(dry.((Discussions( with(the(contractor(found(the(following(construction(positives.( •

Using(plaster(as(the(air(tightness(layer(was(considered(more(robust(than(using(tapes( and( membranes( as( was( found( at( the( ground( floor( junction,( which( can( easily( be( damaged(by(various(trades(carrying(out(their(works(after(they(have(been(installed.((((

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•

Plaster( skim( was( a( simpler( system( to( monitor( on( site( than( tapes( and( membranes( relying(more(on(traditional(established(trades.(((Any(holes(in(the(air(tight(layer(could( still(be(seen(even(after(painters(had(painted(the(wall(unlike(membrane(systems(that( become(covered(up.(((

•

The(EWI(system(was(also(simpler(to(monitor(to(ensure(that(its(thermal(integrity(was( not(compromised(which(can(easily(happened(with(other(systems(such(as(cavity(wall.(

( The(PHI(design(and(certification(can(also(be(considered(a(construction(positive.((In(addition( to( the( design( comfort( and( energy( targets( the( PHI( method( tends( to( be( more( robust( during( construction.(((The(air(permeability(clearly(has(to(be(achieved(or(the(scheme(simply(fails(PHI( certification.((As(this(is(difficult(to(achieve(for(the(average(UK(contractor,(greater(emphasis(is( placed( on( the( contractor( and( all( sub<contractors( understanding( the( air( tightness( strategy.(( Training( and( education( has( to( be( provided( on( site( to( all( tradesmen( to( educate( them( with( regard(the(PHI(schemes(aspirations(and(targets.((Pre(air(tightness(checking(is(required(before( building( elements( are( covered( up( and( usually( an( air( tightness( and( Passivhaus( champion( is( required( on( site( to( over( see( this.( ( In( addition( the( design( team( dedicated( to( the( cause( of( delivering(the(scheme’s(thermal(and(energy(aspirations(were(duly(diligent(on(site(ensuring( that( all( details,( air( tightness( strategies,( insulation( systems( and( services( were( installed( correctly( and( in( line( with( the( specifications( and( drawings.( ( To( achieve( the( standards( rigourous( management,( checking,( quality( control( and( repeat( air( testing( at( various( stages( during(the(project(build(proved(to(be(necessary.( (

2.7.4* Lessons*Learnt*/*Alternative*Approaches* Due(to(the(challenges(on(site(building(with(mass(and(the(driving(rain(issue(G&S(are(currently( investigating( alternative( construction( methods,( which( are( less( prone( to( driving( rain( during( construction.((((One(system(that(is(used(in(Germany(is(insulated(blocks,(which(do(not(require( an(EWI(system(as(the(block(itself(forms(the(insulation(layer.((A(system(with(EWI(is(exposed(to( driving(rain(until(the(EWI(is(applied.((If(the(EWI(is(non<breathable(such(as(an(EPS((expanded( polystyrene)( the( wall( can( then( only( dry( out( to( the( inside( once( the( EWI( is( applied.( The( insulated(blocks(being(closed(cell(on(the(outer(face(prevent(rain(penetrating(deep(whereas( dense( concrete( blocks( have( larger( open( pores( where( rain( and( wet( trade( moisture( can( penetrate(deep(inside(them.(((In(addition(the(insulated(blocks(do(not(require(an(EWI(system( so(can(be(quickly(rendered(and(weather(protected(once(constructed.(((There(is(an(issue(with( the(supply(chain(in(the(UK(and(this(option(is(still(under(investigation.((((

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Other(lessons(as(previously(mentioned(include(changing(the(ground(floor(junction(detail(to( not( rely( on( the( DPC,( to( ensure( air( tight( ductwork( system( is( installed,( and( to( ensure( that( robust( air( tight( tape( systems( are( installed( that( can( adhere( well( in( construction( environments.( (

2.8

SAP and Passivhaus Review

A(SAP(and(PHPP(review(was(carried(out(which(included(actual(measured(data(from(the(first( air( permeability( tests.( ( ( Other( fabric( tests( were( carried( out( such( as( the( U<value( hukseflux( thermal(transmittance(test(but(it(was(decided(not(include(the(results(from(this(test(as(they( were(considered(to(be(unreliable.((( Table( 2.1( below( shows( the( original( CO2( and( heating( results( for( the( as<built( SAP( calculation( together(with(the(results(from(the(new(air(permeability(tests.((The(new(air(tests(found(that( the(air(permeability(was(slightly(higher(than(the(building(regulations(as(built(test,(taking(it( above(the(target(PHPP(design(figure(of(0.6(air(changes.((The(impact(of(this(on(the(SAP(results( was(investigated.(((( ( Table(2.1:(SAP(DER(and(Heating(Energy(Results(( 1

Flat(

After(TSB(air(test(1( After(TSB(Air(Test(1( 2 CO2(DER((kg/m /yr)( Heating(Energy(kWh/yr(

2

17.22(

184.4(

17.26(

193.87(

16.13(

293.01(

16.17(

303.99(

2

16.94(

721.82(

17.07(

748.86(

<(

642(

<(

726(

Flat(B((54(m )(SAP( Flat(C((54(m )(SAP( PHPP(Flat (

As(Built(Heating( Energy(kWh/yr(

2

Flat(A((42(m )(SAP(

2

As(Built(CO2(DER ( 2 (kg/m /yr)(

( 1 2

DER(=(Dwelling(Emission(Rate( PHPP(heating(energy(calculated(to(be(11.9(kWh/m2(

( ( (

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2.8.1* Results*Analysis* It( can( be( seen( that( the( increase( in( air( permeability( has( had( little( effect( on( the( SAP( DER( results.((There(is(a(small(increase(in(heating(energy(and(for(Flat(C,(which(has(the(highest(heat( loss,( this( equates( to( a( heating( cost( increase( per( year( of( £4.20( (using( 15( p/kWh( electric( heating(cost).((For(Flat(A(the(heating(cost(increase(is(£1.42.( The(one(thing(that(does(stand(out(in(the(table(is(the(difference(in(the(as(built(stage((heating( energy(between(the(flats.((The(heating(energy(for(Flat(A(is(184.4(kWh/yr(compared(to(721( kWh/yr(for(Flat(C;(the(heating(energy(for(Flat(A(is(just(over(a(quarter(of(that(used(in(Flat(C.((( Flat(A(is(a(flat(in(the(middle(of(the(block(surrounded(and(supported(thermally(by(the(other( flats.((Flat(B(is(at(the(gable(end(sandwiched(between(Flat(C(above(and(another(flat(below.(( Flat(C(is(at(the(gable(end(and(is(in(the(roof(space(with(less(thermal(support(than(the(other(2( flats.((The(Passivhaus(design(target(was(calculated(to(be(11.9(kWh/m2/yr;(this(equates(to(the( heating(energy(for(Flat(C.((The(heating(energy(required(for(Flat(A(from(the(SAP(assessment( was(184.4(kWh/yr,(and(discussions(with(the(tenants(and(measured(data(has(found(that(this( flat(has(not(enabled(the(heater(battery(once(throughout(the(2(year(monitoring(period.(( The(PHPP(tool(in(its(assessment(method(considers(each(block(as(a(whole(rather(than(each( flat(individually.((The(UK(Building(Regulations(Standard(Assessment(Procedure((SAP)(on(the( other(hand(considers(each(flat(individually.((By(considering(the(block(as(a(whole,(heat(loss( for(example(is(designed(to(be(no(higher(than(15(kWh/m2/yr(and(this(is(spread(across(all(the( flats.( ( In( reality( some( flats( are( likely( to( be( better( performing( than( others,( in( particular( the( mid(floor(flats(which(are(thermally(protected(more(by(the(other(flats(than(the(gable(end(flats( in(the(roof.(((The(heating(energy(for(one(flat,(Flat(A,(which(has(a(floor(area(of(44m2(and(at(15( kWh/m2/yr( equates( to( 660( kWh( per( annum.( ( Assuming( a( typical( electric( heating( cost( of( 15p/kWh(this(equates(to(£99(per(annum.((The(EPC(certificate(equated(heating(costs(to(be( £28(for(this(particular(flat(calculating((via(SAP)(heat(loss(to(be(a(third(of(the(PHPP(figure.((If( this(is(the(case(that(some(flats(are(lower(than(the(15(kWh/m2/yr(then(others(must(be(higher( as(the(SAP(data(and(EPC(certificates(are(suggesting.((Whilst(this(is(something(that(designers( need( to( be( aware( of( (especially( with( regard( to( informing( future( occupants( of( apartment( buildings(of(their(likely(energy(bills)(designers(should(not(forget(that(it(is(the(PHPP(that(has( enabled(the(scheme(to(be(low(energy(in(the(first(place(and(not(SAP.((SAP(may(reflect(each( individual(flat(but(it(is(only(a(checking(tool(and(not(a(design(tool.((( (

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2.9

Design Challenges

At( the( outset( the( site( itself( was( considered( the( design( challenge.( ( It( was( an( ‘infill( site’( in( Exeter(City(located(in(a(tight(land(area(between(other(council(homes.((The(site(was(sloping( and( very( compact.( ( Planning( constraints( stated( that( the( maximum( height( to( build( was( 2.5( storeys( and( the( ECC( wanted( to( put( as( many( flats( on( the( site( as( reasonably( possible( whilst( taking( into( account( access( roads,( car( parking( and( landscaping.( ( The( design( was( to( achieve( this( and( also( to( ensure( good( passive( solar( orientation( with( the( design( so( that( they( would( achieve( the( PHI( standard.( ( The( final( solution( was( two( blocks( of( 9( flats( as( can( be( seen( in( section(2,(Figure(1(both(orientated(in(a(southerly(direction(to(maximise(solar(gain.( The( other( main( design( challenge( was( the( MVHR( system( itself.( ( The( flats( were( small( and( compact( and( locating( the( MVHR( unit( in( order( to( minimise( cold( duct( runs,( noise( break( out( and(efficient(air(flow(design(was(challenging.((The(final(result(was(that(the(MVHR(unit(was( located(in(a(dedicated(blockwork(wall(cupboard(centrally(in(the(flat(as(can(be(seen(from(the( MVHR(layout(figures.((This(reduced(noise(break(out(to(living(spaces(but(it(did(result(in(slightly( longer( cold( duct( runs.( ( These( were( insulated( with( 75( mm( mineral( wool( insulation( and( thermal(losses(associated(with(the(cold(ducts(were(balanced(elsewhere(in(the(fabric(design.((( Another( important( requirement( was( to( ensure( that( there( was( clear( access( to( the( MVHR( system(to(ensure(maintenance(and(filter(renewal(is(not(obstructed.(((( An(additional(challenge(in(the(compact(flats(was(ceiling(height.((Ceiling(voids(are(required(to( run(ductwork(to(deliver(fresh(air(to(the(spaces.((Due(to(height(restrictions(the(ceiling(voids( could(not(be(lowered(in(the(living(rooms(or(bedrooms.((The(final(solution(was(to(lower(the( corridor( ceilings( and( then( connect( the( duct( to( the( living( room( and( bedroom( supply( disc( valves(through(the(wall.((((

2.10

About the Building - Conclusions and Key Findings

The(construction(review(found(that(there(was(little(change(between(design(drawings(and(the( finished( building.( ( Setting( the( energy( standard( to( the( PHI( standard( and( the( client( and( designers( being( committed( to( it,( the(procurement( for( the( project( being( a( JCT( Traditional(Intermediate(Form(of(Building(Contract,(and(the(extra(emphasis(the(design(team( paid(on(site(to(construction(installation(all(helped(to(ensure(the(scheme(stayed(on(track(to( achieve(its(original(intentions.(((( The(main(key(findings(to(successfully(delivering(a(Passivhaus(scheme(are:(

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Contractors(must(better(educate(themselves(with(regard(to(delivering(PHI(design(on(site.((If( the(design(team(spends(time(and(effort(in(designing(to(PHI(standard(and(then(a(contractor( prices(the(scheme(and(tries(to(deliver(as(per(a(conventional(project(it(is(either(going(to(be( very(difficult(on(site(and(cost(the(contractor(money(or(it(may(fail.((Better(educated(designers( alongside( better( educated( contractors( are( the( key( to( successful( delivery( of( PHI( certified( buildings.(( Designers(need(to(keep(details(simple(and(air(tightness(details(robust(and(clear(especially(on( large(schemes(where(multiple(trades(can(be(coming(and(going(after(the(air(tight(barrier(has( been(installed.((( The(air(tight(detail(that(worked(best(at(Knights(Place(was(the(plaster(direct(to(blockwork.((It( was(simple(to(understand,(simple(to(apply,(and(simple(to(monitor(and(was(robust(enough(to( withstand( a( certain( amount( of( light( damage.( ( This( is( not( to( say( that( tapes( and( membrane( systems(cannot(be(made(to(work(but(on(large(schemes(they(need(to(be(carefully(installed( and(protected.((( ( ( (

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(

3 Fabric Performance ( The( 3( flats( were( subject( to( fabric( testing( in( line( with( the( TSB( monitoring( requirements( in( order(to(test(the(fabric(1(to(2(years(after(handover(and(completion.((This(was(to(determine( how( well( it( performs( against( its( original( design( intent.( ( 3( tests( were( carried( out( and( these( were(as(follows:( •

Secondary( air( permeability( tests( in( line( with( Air( Tightness( Testing( &( Measurement( Association((ATTMA)(standards(–(a(test(in(winter(1(and(again(in(winter(2(

•

In#situ#U<value(measurements(of(2(wall(types(–(cavity(block(wall(and(block(wall(with( external(wall(insulation((EWI)(were(carried(out(in(accordance(with(ISO(9869(‘Thermal( Insulation( –( Building( Elements( –( InSSitu# Measurement( of( Thermal( Resistance( and( Thermal(Transmittance’.((((

•

3.1

Thermographic(imaging(of(the(key(thermal(details(internal(and(external(

Air Permeability Testing

The(air(permeability(testing(was(performed(one(year(after(the(flats(were(completed((after(the( first( winter)( and( occupied( and( then( again( 8( months( later( after( the( second( winter.( ( These( results(are(compared(with(the(original(building(regulations(air(test(results(completed(prior(to( handover(and(any(observations(found(are(discussed(and(recorded.((( It( is( apparent( when( air( pressure( testing( air( tight( buildings( that( have( been( designed( to( the( Passivhaus( standard( that( any( slight( changes( in( the( air( test( approach( whether( due( to( differences(in(interpretation(or(understanding(may(result(in(significant(percentage(changes(in( the(air(permeability(results.(((( It(is(recommended(that(this(report(is(read(in(conjunction(with(the(year(one(and(year(two(air( test(reports(‘B001(TSB(Knights(Place(Air(Test(One’(and(‘B002(TSB(Knights(Place(Air(Test(Two’(((((

* 3.1.1* Air*Permeability*Testing*Results* The(following(details(the(air(leakage(pressurisation(test(results(as(recorded(prior(to(building( completion(in(2011(and(the(TSB(test(in(June(2012(and(the(second(TSB(test(in(February(2013.( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Table(3.1:(Air(Permeability(Testing(Results(( Flat(

3

1(

3

Target(Air(Permeability(m ( 2011(Air(Permeability m ( 2 2 /(h.m )(@(50(Pa( /(h.m )(@(50(Pa(

3

3

2012(Air(Permeability((m ( 2 /(h.m )(@(50(Pa(

2013(Air(Permeability((m ( 2 /(h.m )(@(50(Pa(

Flat(A(

0.410(

0.295(

0.72(

0.74(

Flat(B(

0.460(

0.385(

0.73(

1.16

2

Flat(C(

0.570(

0.650(

1.615(

1.19

3

Flat(C(with(MVHR(isolated(

<(

( ( 4 0.9 (

1.

0.570( 0.650( Original(ATTMA(Building(Regulations(Air(Test((

2.

In( the( report( by( the( test( organisation( who( carried( out( the( test( it( is( detailed( that( confidence( in( these( results( are( low( as( generally( it( has( been( found( throughout( this( study( that( the( flats( with( the( highest( leakage(rates(are(those(in(loft(spaces.((((

3.

During(this(test(the(MVHR(ductwork(was(sealed(at(the(grille.(

4.

During(this(test(the(MVHR(ductwork(was(disconnected(as(per(the(original(test(in(2011(

5.

2012(TSB(test(carried(out(by(BSRIA,(2013(TSB(test(carried(out(by(RSK(Environmental(ltd.((

* 3.1.2* Air*Permeability*Testing*Results*Discussion* The(2012(and(2013(test(results(for(Flat(A(are(similar.((However(they(are(both(higher(than(the( 2011(test.((The(results(for(Flat(B(get(higher(each(year;(however(confidence(in(the(results(is( low.( ( The( results( for( Flat( C( increased( in( 2012( and( then( dropped( down( in( 2013.( ( The( test( results(in(2013(for(Flat(C(are(lower(when(the(MVHR(has(been(isolated.((( It(is(not(clear(whether(this(is(due(to(the(air(tightness(performance(deteriorating(over(time(or( whether(it(is(due(to(any(differences(in(test(approach.(((A(different(organisation(was(used(for( the(2012(test.(

3.1.3* MVHR*System*and*Ductwork* The(method(used(for(the(test(in(2012(and(2013(was(different(to(the(2011(test.((The(2012(and( 2013( tests( sealed( the( MVHR( system( and( ductwork( internally( by( covering( the( supply( and( extract( grilles( with( tape( in( the( rooms.( ( The( 2011( test( disconnected( the( ducts( at( the( MVHR( unit( and( sealed( the( external( air( cold( ducts( at( the( 2( cold( incoming( and( exhaust( ducts.( ( This( excluded(all(internal(ductwork(and(the(MVHR(system(from(the(air(test.((It(is(not(clear(which( approach(is(the(correct(one.((( The(following(observations(are(relevant(when(considering(which(elements(should(be(included( in(the(sealed(volume(to(be(tested:( •

The(cold(ducts(could(be(classed(as(part(of(the(thermal(envelope,(as(they(are(insulated.((

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( •

• •

•

The(supply(air(and(extract(ducts(in(the(space(under(normal(operating(conditions(will(be( pressurised(by(the(MVHR(system(during(operation(and(therefore(should(not(present(an( external(leakage(path( There( could( be( leakage( via( the( ductwork( and( the( MVHR( system( to( the( outside( as( both( elements(could(present(leakage(points.( Some(testing(companies(would(seal(at(the(external(grilles,(which(would(exclude(all(of(the( MVHR(system(and(ductwork(form(the(air(pressure(test.((In(this(particular(instance(it(was( not(possible(as(there(was(no(scaffold(in(place(to(access(the(grilles(externally.(((( During(the(2013(test(the(air(test(was(repeated(for(Flat(C(with(the(cold(ducts(and(MVHR( system(disconnected(and(sealed.((A(marked(difference(of(almost(20%(in(test(result(was( observed.((((

One( way( forward( would( be( to( develop( an( air( tightness( test( for( installed( domestic( MVHR( system(in(addition(to(the(building(regulations(air(permeability(test.(((

3.1.4* Leakage*into*Ceiling*Voids*and*Service*Riser** The(service(riser(goes(to(the(roof(in(all(3(flats,(as(this(is(the(riser(for(the(solar(hot(water(panel( flow(and(return(pipework.((Some(of(the(tapes(at(roof(level(may(have(weakened(and(the(test( is(suggesting(this(as(the(smoke(test(was(showing(the(leakage(to(be(going(into(the(ceilings(and( into(the(riser.((Unfortunately(at(Knights(Place(there(is(no(access(to(the(roof(to(examine(this.(( Rowan( House,( another( Passivhaus( scheme( built( to( similar( details( and( standards,( does( have( access(and(a(similar(taping(and(air(tight(sealing(method(was(adopted.((In(some(places(Tyvek( was( used( and( in( others( Tescon( was( used( on( the( vapour( permeable( barrier( and( airtight( barrier.((It(was(clear(from(observation(that(the(Tyvek(tape(had(peeled(back(in(places(and(was( not(as(firmly(placed(at(the(Tescon(tape.(((

3.1.5* Air*Permeablity*Conclusions* There( is( a( marked( increase( in( air( permeability( between( the( 2011( building( regulation( test( results(compared(with(those(carried(out(in(2012(and(2013.((It(is(difficult(to(determine,(due(to( access(restrictions(and(differences(between(test(approaches,(the(proportion(of(increase(that( is(attributable(to(any(air(tight(seals(deteriorating(and(the(proportion(of(increase(that(is(due(to( test( approach( differences.( ( The( inclusion( of( the( MVHR( and( ductwork( in( the( 2012( and( 2013( approach(would(result(in(an(increase(in(air(leakage(as(was(observed(at(Rowan(House(and(Flat( C( Knights( Place.( ( It( is( also( suspected( that( some( of( Tyvek( tapes( at( roof( levels( have( also( weakened(over(time.(( It(was(also(observed(that(the(differences(in(test(approach(between(organisations(were(due(to( the(individual(interpretation(of(ATTMA(requirements(by(the(tester(on(the(day.((It(is(not(clear( whether(or(not(to(include(ductwork(and(the(MVHR(system.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( At( Passivhaus( air( tightness( level( these( subtle( differences( can( lead( to( significant( percentage( changes(in(air(tightness(levels(recorded(and(can(either(result(in(pass(or(fail.(

3.2

Uvalue Measurement Testing

The( In<situ( U<value( thermal( resistance( monitoring( of( the( wall( construction( details( using( Hukseflux( heat( sensors( has( been( disappointing.( ( The( first( set( of( tests( during( the( 2012<13( winter(were(very(inconsistent(and(were(found(to(be(an(issue(due(to(poor(calibration(from(the( equipment(suppliers.((Additional(tests(during(the(2013<14(winter(recorded(a(U<value(of(0.2( W/m2.K.((Either(the(wall(is(this(U<value(or(the(test(or(equipment(is(flawed.(((It(is(likely(to(be( the(latter(as(the(thermal(imaging(survey(and(also(the(recorded(heating(energy(and(comfort( data(suggest(that(the(fabric(is(high(performing.((

3.2.1* Wall*Types*Measured* Wall( 1( <( Predominant( Construction:( solid( block( (215mm)( with( an( external( wall( insulation( system((EWI)(of(250mm(EPS(grey(–(Uvalue(0.122(W/m2K.(( Wall( 2( <( Balcony( Wall( Construction:( cavity( wall( with( 100mm( block( work,( 250( mm( mineral( wool(insulation,(50(mm(EPS(insulation(–(Uvalue(0.122(W/m2K.( Flat( A( was( chosen( for( the( EWI( wall( measurement.( ( An( area( was( identified( in( the( bedroom,( which(was(clear(of(furniture.((An(internal(cupboard(in(the(landlord’s(area(was(chosen(for(the( cavity(wall(measurement.(( Monitoring(of(both(wall(types(was(carried(out(over(a(14(day(period.((

3.2.2* UAvalue*Measurement*Results* Figure(3.1:((EWI(Wall(U<Value(rolling(average((28th(Feb(–(13th(March(2013)(

( 2

Note:(U<value((W/m .K)(against(time.((The(first(day(was(discarded.(

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( It(can(be(seen(from(Figure(3.1(that(the(measured(value(is(higher(than(the(designed(U<value( for(the(EWI(wall(of(0.122.((The(measured(U<value(ranges(from(0.29(for(reading(2(against(0.39( for(reading(1.((In(addition(there(is(a(marked(difference(between(the(2(readings,(which(are(on( the(same(wall.(((

Figure(3.2:((Cavity(Wall(U<Value(rolling(average((16th(Feb(–(24th(Feb(2013)(

( Note:(U<value((W/m .K)(against(time.((The(first(6(days(were(discarded.( 2

It(can(be(seen(from(Figure(3.2(that(the(measured(U<value(is(higher(than(the(designed(U<value( for(the(cavity(wall(of(0.11.((The(measured(U<value(ranges(from(0.60(for(reading(2(against(0.35( for(reading(1.((In(addition(there(is(a(marked(difference(between(the(2(readings,(which(are(on( the(same(wall.((( At( the( time( of( carrying( out( the( study( there( was( a( defect( in( the( construction( in( that( the( external(balconies(were(incorrectly(sealed(against(rain(penetration(and(there(has(been(an(on< going( issue( of( rain( penetrating( the( cavity.( ( ( It( is( likely( that( this( water( ingress( into( the( wall( fabric(is(tainting(these(results.((( The(test(was(repeated(on(the(EWI(wall(during(the(winter(of(2014.((This(time(the(results(from( both( sensors( were( consistent( with( each( other( but( the( reading( was( still( almost( double( the( design(value(coming(out(at(0.23.(

Figure(3.3:((Cavity(Wall(U<Value(rolling(average((Feb(2014)( 0.6! 0.5! 0.4! 0.3! 0.2! 0.1! 0!

UMvalue!1! UMvalue!2!

0(

50(

100(

150(

200(

250(

#

Note:(U<value((W/m .K)(against(time.((The(first(day(was(discarded.( 2

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3.2.3* Results*Discussion* The(EWI(wall(is(a(simple(detail(of(block(and(fixed(insulation(to(the(outer(face.((Its(installation( was(monitored(on(site(and(there(is(no(reason(to(believe(that(there(is(any(thermal(bridging.((( The(walls(did(get(particularly(wet(during(construction,(and(although(the(infrared(survey(was( carried(out(2(years(after(construction(providing(some(time(for(drying(out,(it(cannot(be(ruled( out(that(construction(moisture(is(affecting(the(test.(((In(addition(an(infrared(survey(did(not( pick(up(any(thermal(bridges(in(this(location(and(the(inner(surface(wall(temperature(was(19(<( 200C.((If(the(walls(were(wet(then(surface(temperatures(are(likely(to(have(been(much(cooler.(( The(tenants(do(not(use(any(form(of(heating(in(the(flat,(which(supports(the(theory(that(the( walls( are( not( under( performing.( ( Construction( humidity( shouldn't( make( that( much( of( a( difference,(because(the(EPS(only(absorbs(a(limited(amount(of(water(and(even(if(the(concrete( wall( is( replaced( with( a( wall( of( water( or( even( solid( aluminium( it( would( only( increase( the( U( value(by(0.02.( There(could(be(the(possibility(that,(due(to(the(high(mass(construction,(the(measurement(was( not( carried( out( for( a( long( enough( period.( ( 3<4( weeks( may( be( required( to( ensure( any( deviations(are(flattened(out.((( The(mineral(fibre,(used(in(the(cavity(wall,(is(affected(by(moisture(and(its(performance(will(be( reduced(if(wet.((Although(the(measurement(was(quite(high(in(the(wall((on(the(second(floor)( wetness(in(the(cavity(cannot(be(ruled(out(due(to(the(issue(of(the(leaking(balconies.( The( results( and( test( method( were( also( discussed( in( detail( with( various( experts( in( the( field( including( the( manufacturer( Huskeflux( in( Holland( and( the( National( Physics( Laboratory.(( Monitoring(and(testing(thermal(transmittance(in(this(manner(is(a(complicated(technique(as(it( involves( trying( to( extract( steady( state( data( from( a( dynamic( test( and( the( error( according( to( ISO( 9869( is( recognised( to( be( up( to( 28%.( ( ( The( wall( with( 250mm( EPS( grey( and( 215mm( blockwork( has( a( high( thermal( resistance( and( this( results( in( a( much( smaller( pulse( of( transmitted( energy( going( through( it( when( compared( to( an( averagely( insulated( wall.(( Discussions(with(experts(at(the(National(Physics(Laboratory,(who(carry(out(hot(plate(and(hot( box(testing(of(insulation(systems,(indicate(that(the(margin(of(error(is(likely(to(increase(as(the( pulse( of( energy( transmitted( through( a( wall( with( high( thermal( resistance( decreases.( ( In( addition( it( is( likely( that,( for( a( wall( of( this( level( of( high( mass,( a( 14( day( transmittance( test( period( is( insufficient( and( 4<6( weeks( might( be( more( appropriate( as( the( higher( the( mass( the( longer(the(time(constant.((In(addition(products(such(as(the(EPS(grey(system(that(was(used(at( Knights(Place(has(been(rigorously(independently(tested(and(the(U<value(figures(they(provide( are(unlikely(to(be(wrong.(((

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3.2.4*Conclusion* The(conclusion(is(that(the(test(needs(to(be(repeated(for(a(much(longer(time(period(such(as(4< 6(weeks.((Further(investigation(is(also(required(as(to(the(sensitivity(and(error(margin(when( using(this(test(method(with(high(mass(walls(which(have(high(thermal(resistance.(((

3.3

Thermographic Imaging

One(key(design(element(of(the(Passivhaus(standard(is(that(the(construction(is(thermal(bridge( free.((PHI(defines(it(as:( “A#building#envelope#is#considered#to#be#thermal(bridge(free#if#the#transmission#losses#under# consideration# of# all# thermal# bridges# are# not# greater# than# the# result# calculated# using# the# external# surfaces# and# regular# USvalues# of# the# standard# building# elements# alone.# # The# linear# thermal#conductivity#of#these#elements#should#be#lower#than#0.01#W/m/K”( Therefore( thermal( bridging( has( to( be( minimised( wherever( possible( through( design( and( equally( important( it( has( to( be( followed( through( during( construction.( ( As( this( had( been( achieved( via( good( design( practise( the( team( had( a( clear( expectation( that( this( would( be( achieved(during(construction.((((( In( addition( to( thermal( bridge( free( construction( the( scheme( also( had( set( uniformity( of( temperature(criteria(as(set(by(the(PHI(and(detailed(in(table(3.1(below:( Carrying( out( an( infrared( survey( on( each( flat( would( help( determine( how( well( this( was( achieved.( Table(3.1:(Uniformity(of(temperature(criteria(( Criteria(

Description(

Notes(

Uniformity(of(temperature( Inner(surfaces(of(external(walls(>(1(°C(lower(To(be(measured(via(thermal(imaging( than(inner(air(temperatures(( Window(surface(temperatures(are((>(3(–(3.5( °C(lower(than(inner(air(temperatures(

( All( 3( flats( were( subject( to( a( thermal( imaging( survey( during( the( winter( of( 2013.( ( Three( separate(thermal(imaging(reports(were(generated(which(are(detailed(in(the(appendices.( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

Table(3.2:(Thermal(Imaging(Key(Observations( Flat*A*

Flat*B*

Flat*C*

The( main( EWI( wall,( which( predominantly( makes( up( the( building,( shows( uniform( temperature( both( internally( and( externally(throughout.((No(thermal( bridges(were(observed.( ( The( cavity( wall( to( the( front,( which( is( compromised( by( leaking( balconies,(shows(evidence(of(slight( thermal( bridging( in( the( wall( itself( and( where( the( balcony( meets( the( wall.(((( ( Ceiling( corners( within( show( high( performance( and( no( evidence( of( thermal(bridging( ( All(inner(wall(surface(temperatures( were( between( 20( –( 21°C.( This( is( remarkable(considering(the(tenants( stated(that(they(do(not(use(the(air( heater(battery.(((Little(temperature( difference( was( observed( in( ceiling( corners.( ( The( bathroom( window( reveal( was( found( to( be( compromised( thermally( due( to( water( ingress( from(the(balcony(areas.( ( Window( and( door( frames( were( found(to(be(typically(at(18(°C.( ( An( imbalance( was( observed( between( the( air( heating( in( the( living(room(and(the(bedroom.((((

The( main( EWI( wall,( which( predominantly( makes( up( the( building,( shows( uniform( temperature( both( internally( and( externally( throughout.( ( No( thermal(bridges(were(observed.( ( All( inner( wall( surface( temperatures(were(between(20( –(21°C(with(the(exception(of(the( bedroom(which(is(at(18(°C.(((( ( Window( and( door( frames( were( found(to(be(typically(at(18(°C.( ( The( main( bedroom( was( considered( colder( by( the( tenants( than( the( rest( of( the( rooms(in(the(flat( ( The( tenants( open( windows( even( during( very( cold( conditions( as( was( observed( during( the( external( IR( survey.(( Early( in( the( morning( all( the( windows( were( open.( ( ( Both( tenants(are(heavy(smokers.((( ( MVHR( systems( which( have( electric(heater(batteries(to(heat( the( supply( should( be( insulated( when(running(in(ceiling(voids(to( effectively( take( the( heat( wherever( it( needs( to( be,( especially(if(duct(runs(are(long.(

The( main( EWI( wall,( which( predominantly( makes( up( the( building,(shows(uniform(temperature( both( internally( and( externally( throughout.( ( No( thermal( bridges( were(observed.( ( Ceiling( corners( within( show( high( performance( and( no( evidence( of( thermal( bridging( with( the( exception( of( one( corner( in( the( main( bedroom( where( a( thermal( weakness( was( observed.(( ( All( inner( wall( surface( temperatures( were( between( 20( –( 21°C( with( the( exception(of(the(bedroom(which(is(at( 18(°C.(((( ( Window( and( door( frames( were( found(to(be(typically(at(17(<(18(°C.( ( Thermal( weaknesses( were( observed( on(a(number(of(roof(lights(in(the(flat( and(the(surrounding(reveal( ( A( thermal( weakness( was( evident( between( the( kitchen( wall( and( the( landlords’(cavity(wall( ( IR( image( of( the( pipework( insulation( was( typical( of( all( the( flats( at( Knights( Place( as( the( insulation( to( the( pipework( generally( could( have( been( installed(better.((((( (

( Surface(temperatures(throughout(for(walls,(ceiling(corners,(wall(corners,(glazing(and(frames( were(all(found(to(be(consistent(with(the(design(intent(and(little(in(the(way(of(thermal(bridging( was(observed.(((The(small(elements(of(thermal(bridges(that(were(observed(were(as(follows:(

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( •

• •

A( linear( thermal( bridge( was( found( where( the( balcony( joined( the( cavity( wall.( ( This( was( expected( as( it( had( been( allowed( for( in( the( design.( ( It( appeared( exaggerated( during( the( survey(and(it(is(suspected(this(is(due(to(leaking(balconies(and(water(ingress(through(the( wall(construction.( Flat( C( had( an( unaccountable( thermal( bridge( in( the( corner( of( the( internal( walls( to( the( landlord’s(corridor.((It(is(suspected(it(is(due(to(air(leakage.((( Flat( C( roof( light( reveals( –( a( certain( amount( of( thermal( bridging( was( allowed( for( as( roof( light(reveals(are(difficult(to(detail(thermal(bridge(free.(

(

Figure(3.4:((Flat(A(Thermal(Images( External(Wall(Corner(Thermal(Detail(

Typical(Window(&(Frame(Thermal(Detail(

(

(

It(can(clearly(be(seen(that(there(is(little(in(the(way(of( The( bottom( most( corner( of( the( door( frame( is( at( 0 thermal( bridging( in( this( detail.( ( Corner( temperatures( 17.5 C.( ( This( is( the( weakest( point( thermally( and( falls( o o are(only(1 C(below(main(wall(temperatures.((( within(the(design(criteria(of(not(being(3.5 C(below(air( temperature.(

( ( ( ( ( ( (

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Figure(3.5:((Flat(A(Living(Room(Supply(Grille(Thermal(Images( 29.9 °C

Sp2 28 26

Sp1 24 22 20.5

(

(

.(((((

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

13:08:49((

An( IR( image( of( the( supply( grille( in( the( living( room( just( after( the(

Sp1(Temperature((

31.5(°C((

heater(battery(is(switched(on.((The(supplied(heat(is(clearly(evident.((*

Sp2(Temperature((

22.0(°C((

(

(

Figure(3.6:((Flat(A(Bathroom(Window(Reveal(Thermal(Images( 20.5 °C

Sp2

20

18

Sp1

16

Sp3

14

12.3

(

(

( (

(

Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

12:24:10((

Bathroom( reveal( showing( extent( of( water( leakage( from( balcony(

Sp1(Temperature((

16.6(°C((

areas.((This(bathroom(window(is(facing(onto(the(balcony(area(where(

Sp2(Temperature((

19.6(°C((

there( is( currently( an( installation( issue( with( the( tanking( of( the(

Sp3(Temperature((

19.7(°C((

balconies.((There(is(currently(leaking(water(which(is(penetrating(the( cavity( wall.( ( SP1( at( 16.6( °C( is( not( low( enough( however( for( condensation(to(occur.(

(

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Figure(3.7:((Flat(B(Gable(End(View( 15.4 °C

10

0

Sp2

Sp3

Sp4

Sp1

-10 -15.0

(

(

(

Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

07:44:58((

Flat(15(are(the(lower(windows.((These(windows(can(also(be(seen(to(be(

Sp1(Temperature(( <2.7(°C((

open( and( leaking( heat( (Sp3).( ( ( The( tongue( and( grooves( of( the( cladding(

Sp2(Temperature(( <2.2(°C((

and( patching( of( the( wood( is( visible( in( IR( image.( ( Generally( the( wall(

Sp3(Temperature(( 15.4(°C((

system(with(EWI(is(fairly(uniform(in(temperature.(((((

Sp4(Temperature(( 1.2(°C(( (

(

Figure(3.7:((Flat(B(Corner(Ceiling(Detail( 30.0 °C

Sp2

Sp1

25

20

15.0

(

(

(

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

11:16:01((

The( ceiling( corner( to( an( external( wall( shows( little( sign( of( thermal(

Sp1(Temperature(( 20.3(°C((

bridging.(((Throughout(the(flat(wall(surface(temperatures(were(recorded(

Sp2(Temperature(( 21.2(°C((

at( a( steady( 20( <( 21( °C( with( the( exception( of( the( bedroom( which( was( averaging(18(°C((see(figures(9(&(10).(

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Figure(3.8:((Flat(B(Corridor(Ceiling(with(MVHR(heated(ducts(above( 27.6 °C

Sp2

26

Sp1

24

22 21.0

(

(

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

11:11:57((

The( supply( air( ducts( with( heated( air( are( clearly( visibly( through( the(

Sp1(Temperature(( 28.4(°C((

corridor(ceiling.((Due(to(the(compactness(of(the(flat(and(the(very(short(

Sp2(Temperature(( 24.0(°C((

duct(runs(the(supply(air(ducts(were(not(insulated.(((

(

(

Figure(3.9:((Flat(C(Bedroom(1(Glazed(Door(Detail(at(Base( 26.0 °C 25

Sp1

20

Sp4

15

Sp2

10

Sp3

8.0

(

(

(

(

Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

09:28:11((

This(detail(at(the(base(of(the(floor(is(expected(to(be(cooler(than(the(

Sp1(Temperature(( 16.5(°C((

surrounding( environment.( ( It( is( a( glazed( door( with( a( high( vertical(

Sp2(Temperature(( 18.3(°C((

drop.((The(frame(Sp1(is(at(16.5(°C(and(relative(to(the(floor(adjacent(

Sp3(Temperature(( 19.1(°C((

the( frame( is( 1.8( °C( highlighting( an( exceptional( thermally( broken(

Sp4(Temperature(( 13.5(°C((

frame.(((Sp4(is(quite(low(in(temperature,(it(is(not(clear(whether(this( is( an( IR( reading( that( has( been( reflected( by( the( glazing( or( even( reflected(from(the(aluminum(spacer(bars(between(the(panels.((

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Figure(3.10:((Kitchen(Roof(Light(Reveals( 21.0 °C 20

Sp3

18

Sp1 Sp4

Sp2

16

14 13.9

(

(

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

09:45:32((

Sp2(highlights(a(cold(thermal(bridge(point(in(the(corner(of(the(reveal(

Sp1(Temperature((

20.0(°C((

as(was(found(with(the(bedroom(windows.(

Sp2(Temperature((

13.8(°C((

Sp3(Temperature((

18.1(°C((

Sp4(Temperature((

17.5(°C((

(

(

Figure(3.11:((Kitchen(Wall(Against(Cavity(Wall(to(Landlords(Corridor( 19.8 °C

Sp5 19

Sp3 Sp2

18

Sp1 Sp4

17

16 15.7

(

(

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

09:44:02((

An( unusual( thermal( bridge( is( evident( here.( ( The( wall( is( the( cavity(

Sp1(Temperature((

16.0(°C((

wall( to( the( landlord’s( corridor.( ( ( It( is( possible( that( some( cold( air( is(

Sp2(Temperature((

16.0(°C((

entering(the(cavity.((

Sp3(Temperature((

17.5(°C((

Sp4(Temperature((

18.3(°C((

Sp5(Temperature((

18.7(°C((

(

(

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Figure(3.12:((Kitchen(Ceiling( 22.0 °C 22

Sp4

21

Sp1

Sp3

20

19

Sp2 18.0

(

(

( Date((

07/02/2013((

Observations*

Image(Time((

09:46:11((

In(this(IR(image(the(timber(holding(the(plasterboard(can(be(seen((as(

Sp1(Temperature((

20.2(°C((

with( other( ceiling( images),( although( noticeable( in( the( image( they(

Sp2(Temperature((

20.4(°C((

are(not(presenting(a(significant(thermal(bridge.(((

Sp3(Temperature((

19.8(°C((

Sp4(Temperature((

19.3(°C((

(

( ( Figure(3.13:((Knights(Place(External(Thermal(Images( Knights(Place(Thermal(Image(

Cavity(Wall(Balcony(Thermal(Image( 30.0 °C

Sp3

20

Sp2

10

Sp1

0 -0.9

(

(

It(can(clearly(be(seen(that(there(is(little(in(the(way( The(thermal(bridge(where(the(balconies(meet(the(external( of(thermal(bridging(in(this(detail.((The(street(light( wall(can(clearly(be(seen.( can(be(clearly(seen(in(the(foreground.(((

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3.4

Conclusions and Recommendations

3.4.1* Air*Tests* The( additional( air( tests( for( this( project( have( highlighted( that( to( achieve( PHI( air( tightness( levels(it(is(important(that(elements(of(the(design(no(matter(how(small(are(not(open(to(the( interpretation(of(the(testing(organisation(on(the(day.(((Further(clarity(is(required(on(how(to( approach(the(MVHR(system(and(ductwork(during(the(test.((Covering(the(grilles(up(at(ceiling( level( for( instance( will( still( include( the( ductwork( in( the( ceiling( void( and( the( MVHR( system( which(both(could(provide(air(paths(to(outside.(( The(air(test(has(also(highlighted(the(importance(of(good(quality(and(air(tight(ductwork(and( potentially(Part(F(of(the(Ventilation(Regulations(needs(to(include(more(detail(on(ensuring(that( air(tight(ductwork(is(installed(for(domestic(MVHR(systems.((( Certain( tape( systems( have( also( been( highlighted( as( weak( points( in( the( air( tight( barrier( and( the( inclusion( of( any( system( that( could( potentially( weaken( over( time( needs( to( be( carefully( considered(by(design(teams(and(specifiers.(((

3.4.2* UAValue*Thermal*Transmittance*Monitoring* Tests(carried(out(to(date(have(been(inconclusive.((Discussions(with(industry(experts(suggest( that(the(test(methodology(might(not(be(sensitive(enough(for(walls(with(high(mass(and(high( thermal(resistance(of(this(nature.((If(this(is(the(case(then(further(research(is(required(to(test( walls(of(this(nature(inSsitu.(((It(is(considered(unlikely(that(the(test(results(are(correct(given(the( product( used( and( its( manufacturing( test( reliability.( ( ( In( addition( low( heating( energy( consumption( was( found( and( the( thermal( imaging( and( temperatures( recorded( by( sensors( show(uniform(surface(temperatures(in(the(region(of(20(–(21oC.((A(further(possibility(could(be( that(construction(moisture(has(affected(the(results.(((

3.4.3* Thermal*Imaging* The(thermal(imaging(survey(was(found(to(be(very(useful.(((It(assisted(with(the(U<value(test( and( helped( to( ensure( that( the( PHI( design( intent( of( high( uniform( surface( temperatures( was( achieved.((It(also(helped(with(the(analysis(of(Flat(B’s(heating(energy(consumption(which(was( higher(than(the(other(2(flats;(the(thermal(imaging(showed(that(Flat(B’s(windows(were(open(in( the(early(hours(of(the(morning(of(a(cold(winters(day,(supporting(the(tenants’(observation(that( they(prefer(to(keep(their(windows(open(all(the(time,(regardless(of(the(external(temperature.(

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4 Key findings from the design and delivery team walkthrough (

(

4.1

Original Aspirations

As(discussed(in(previous(sections(the(original(intent(was(to(design(and(deliver(exemplar(low( energy(and(sustainable(buildings(for(the(City(of(Exeter.((A(key(aspect(of(this(intent(was(for(the( building(design(to(be(passive(and(therefore(simple(to(use,(operate(and(maintain.((Rather(than( relying(on(mechanical(heating(and(cooling(systems,(passive(design(places(the(emphasis(in(the( building(envelope;(with(high(insulation(levels,(high(air(tightness,(good(orientation(to(capture( solar( winter( gain( and( optimum( glazing( ratios( for( maximum( daylight( whilst( avoiding( overheating( in( the( summer.( ( The( PHI( design( had( minimised( heating( with( this( passive( approach,(so(there(was(no(need(for(a(conventional(heating(and(boiler(system.((The(only(form( of( heating( provided( was( a( small( electric( heating( element( in( the( supply( air.( ( The( main( mechanical(systems(were(the(MVHR(system(for(wintertime(fresh(air(and(the(solar(hot(water( panel( system( for( hot( water( requirements.( ( In( summer( the( building( relied( on( natural( ventilation(and(thermal(mass(for(passive(summer(comfort(control.(

4.1.1* MVHR*Operation*and*Maintenance*Intent* The(intention(was(that,(given(the(flats(did(not(require(a(conventional(heating(system(the(flats( would( be( very( simple( to( operate( and( maintain.( ( Occupants( would( not( have( to( master( any( complicated(heating(programmes.((The(only(control(that(was(required(to(operate(the(space( heating( was( a( simple( thermostatic( control( on( the( wall( in( the( living( room.( ( This( thermostat( controlled(the(electric(heating(element(in(the(supply(air(to(flats.(((Ideally(this(should(be(set(at( the(tenants’(optimum(comfort(level,(such(as,(21°C(and(then(left(alone.((( The(MVHR(system(ventilation(was(commissioned(to(minimum(Part(F(fresh(air(requirements( and( this( became( the( main( setting( for( the( winter( period.( ( In( addition,( two( time( clock( boost( modes(were(set(for(a(one(hour(boost(in(the(morning(and(a(one(hour(boost(in(the(evening.((A( boost(button(was(also(provided(to(override(the(day(setting(and(enable(a(boost(for(one(hour( at(any(time(of(the(day.((This(boost(mode(could(be(enabled(for(either(fresh(air(purposes(or(to( boost(heating(if(the(thermostat(was(calling(for(heat.((((( Regarding( maintenance,( Exeter( City( Council( now( had( no( gas( boiler( system( to( maintain( and( instead( had( a( MVHR( system( to( maintain.( ( It( was( thought( that( this( would( form( a( simpler( maintenance(regime,(as(the(yearly(maintenance(check(would(be(simply(to(replace(the(filters( once(a(year.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( For( the( end( users( to( understand( how( to( control( the( system( a( small( laminated( card( was( provided(and(placed(by(the(thermostat(to(provide(simple(operation(details.(((

4.1.2* Hot*Water*System*Operation*and*Maintenance*Intent* The(hot(water(system(consisted(of(an(open(vented(140(litre(hot(water(cylinder(which,(unlike( pressurised( stainless( steel( systems,( does( not( require( yearly( maintenance( checks.( ( The( solar( panel( system,( provided( by( Solartwin,( was( a( freeze( tolerant( system( using( rubber( microbore( pipework.((This(system(has(no(antifreeze(to(check(and(top(up(each(year,(thus(again(reducing( ECC(maintenance(requirements.((The(variable(speed(pump,(used(to(move(hot(water(from(the( panel(to(the(cylinder,(is(PV(powered,(requiring(no(mains(electric.((As(it(has(variable(speeds(it( ramps(up(when(there(is(more(solar(energy(and(down(when(there(is(less,(simply(operating(by( itself(when(the(sun(is(shining.((The(backup(electric(element(was(to(be(controlled(via(a(simple( wall(mounted(time(clock(controller(set(to(a(one(hour(boost(in(the(morning(and(a(one(hour( boost(in(the(evening.((( In( addition( the( hot( and( cold( water( loads( had( been( designed( to( be( in( the( region( of( 80( l/s/person/day(via(the(use(of(low(flow(taps,(shower(heads(and(WCs.((((

4.1.3* Passive*Design*Operation* The( flats( were( designed( to( harvest( solar( gain( in( winter( minimising( heat( requirements.( ( The( MVHR(system(was(to(provide(fresh(air(loads(in(winter,(hence(windows(were(to(be(kept(shut( during(these(periods.((During(warmer(weather(windows(could(then(be(opened(for(both(fresh( air(and(summer(comfort(control.((( This( passive( design( operation( was( put( into( a( simple( user( guide,( which( also( explained( that( windows(could(be(opened(in(winter(if(desired(but(this(would(incur(an(energy(penalty.((( (

4.2

Changes that Occurred

There(was(little(that(changed(from(design(to(construction(other(than(the(ground(floor(tight( tape( strategy( which( is( discussed( in( more( detail( in( Section( 2.( ( As( this( was( the( case,( it( was( expected(by(the(team(that(the(scheme(would(deliver(on(its(design(intent.((( (

4.3

Handover Evaluation

This(BPE(project(for(Knights(Place(commenced(after(the(scheme(had(been(handed(over(and( the(flats(were(occupied.((Therefore(there(was(no(opportunity(to(clearly(review(the(handover( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( in(accordance(with(TSB(requirements.((Interviews(with(the(design(team(and(ECC(revealed(that( the(scheme(was(handed(over(in(the(following(manner:(

4.3.1* Pre*Occupancy* •

Community(liaising(at(pre(planning(stage(

•

Passivhaus(building(design(and(operation(workshops(held(with(prospective(tenants(

•

Pre<occupancy(training(for(selected(tenants(by(contractor(

4.3.2* PostAoccupancy* •

Prior(to(1st(winter(additional(training(

•

In(spring(a(feedback(workshop(was(held(

•

After(the(hot(summer(another(BPE(workshop(

•

Simple(user(guide(/(Operations(manual(was(provided(

•

Exeter(City(Tenant(Support(

•

BUS(surveys(–(positive(feedback,(a(couple(of(flats(struggled(with(optimising(MVHR((

Training(was(provided(to(both(tenants(and(ECC(staff(at(the(outset(by(the(contractor(and(Gale( &(Snowden(Architects.((It(was(felt(by(all(that(a(significant(amount(of(effort(went(into(provided( training( for( the( tenants.( ( ( ( This( was( both( at( the( outset( and( during( the( first( 2( years( of( occupancy.((The(BPE(project(itself(also(assisted(with(this.((( Concerns(were(raised(as(to(what(would(happen(a(few(years(down(the(line(when(there(is(a( turnover(of(ECC(staff(or(tenants(move(on(and(new(ones(arrive.(((As(with(any(project,(training( and(handover(can(be(intense(during(the(first(year(or(2(and(then(dwindle(as(time(passes.((It( was(thought(the(following(would(assist(with(this:( •

Simple(colour(A3(user(guide(in(frame(

•

You(tube(guide(to(the(PHI(design(and(systems(

•

Enhanced(training(to(maintenance(staff(

It( was( observed( by( all( that( the( following( are( important( elements( to( ensuring( successful( handover(and(operation(with(any(scheme:( •

Design(teams(staying(on(board(1<(2(years(after(handover(to(assist(with(further(training( and(fine(tuning(of(any(systems(

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BPE( monitoring( has( proved( invaluable( to( ECC( providing( clear( objective( data( to( comfort(levels(and(energy(consumption.(((

(

4.4

Commissioning Documentation Evaluation

Section(7(provides(further(details(about(commissioning(and(associated(documentation.((The( only( commissioning( documentation( that( was( provided( for( the( scheme( was( for( the( MVHR( systems.( ( The( systems( were( commissioned( in( accordance( with( Part( F( of( the( Building( Regulations( and( suitable( paperwork( was( provided( which( detailed( the( commissioned( air( volumes.((These(air(volumes(met(the(Part(F(requirements.((( No( paperwork( was( provided( which( detailed( the( setup( of( the( solar( panel( systems.( ( Services( installation( checks( as( part( of( this( monitoring( project( found( that( the( systems( were( actually( poorly(commissioned(and(further(details(can(be(found(in(Section(8.( (

4.5

Design Intent to Reality (Energy, Comfort, Water, Air Quality)

Regarding(the(energy(design(intent(Sections(1(and(6(clearly(details(how(the(building(performs( when( comparing( design( intent( to( reality.( ( For( further( information( please( refer( to( these( relevant(sections.(( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (

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4.6

Design Intent to Reality (Maintenance)

4.6.1* Maintenance* Key( observations( made( during( discussions( with( ECC( maintenance( officers( about( the( MVHR( systems(are(included(in(the(table(below.((As(the(maintenance(officers(spends(the(majority(of( their( time( resolving( breakdowns( and( complaints( the( following( points( reflects( the( inherent( negative( nature( of( their( work.( ( The( maintenance( officers,( generally,( doe( not( speak( to( the( tenants(when(things(are(working(well.(( ECC*observations*

Response*

ECC(struggled(initially(back(in(2012,(after( the( end( of( the( first( year’s( warranty,( to( find(a(local(24(hour(call(out(maintenance( contractor( to( maintain( and( service( the( MVHR( systems( and( to( change( filters( at( economic(cost.((

Servicing( and( maintenance( is( important( to( take( into( consideration( when(introducing(new(technologies(and(systems(to(clients(because(if( the( systems( cannot( be( maintained( and( serviced( easily( then( system( performance(and(user(satisfaction(will(be(impaired.(((

ECC( has( more( experience( maintaining( boiler( systems( in( their( existing( building( stock;( MVHR( is( new( to( them.( ( Despite( condensing( boilers( being( more( complex( there( are( more( local( contractors( who( are(familiar(with(these(systems(and(offer( good(rates(to(maintain(them.(

As(above.((New(build(properties(built(to(new(Part(L(requirements(are( likely(to(have(different(comfort(systems(to(existing(building(stock(with( conventional(gas(boilers;(these(may(be(biomass,(heat(pumps(or(MVHR( and( will( all( require( education( by( the( maintenance( department( and( local(contractors.(

As( Passivhaus( has( grown( in( the( UK( in( the( past( 3<4( years( more( mechanical( contractors( have( become( familiar( with( installing( and( service(MVHR(systems(and(ECC(has(found(a(local(contractor(to(service( the(MVHR(systems(

MVHR( Filter( warning( light( was( set( to( Tenants( have( now( been( shown( how( to( switch( this( off( and( educated( come(on(every(6(months(and(it(was(not( further(in(the(MVHR(operation( clear(to(the(tenants(what(this(meant(and( how(to(turn(it(off.((( ECC( also( reported( that( filters( are( expensive( as( only( one( manufacturer( makes( them,( which( is( the( MVHR( manufacturer.((((

It(is(something(that(the(industry(needs(to(address(as(filters(themselves( can( be( bought( relatively( cheaply.( ( In( addition( the( filters( come( in( a( filter(frame,(which(is(a(throw(away(item(every(time(they(are(replaced.(( A(more(economical(way(of(doing(this(would(be(to(purchase(bulk(filter( in(a(roll(or(strips,(which(is(then(cut(and(installed(in(the(filter(frame(or( the( supplier( offers( money( back( for( the( old( filter( to( reuse( the( frame( and(reduce(wastage.(((

( ( ( ECC(also(reported(the(following:( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( •

During(the(first(year(there(were(minor(issues(with(the(solar(panels’(pumps(being(noisy( in(some(flats(and(these(were(addressed(by(the(installer.(((

•

Some( tenants( had( struggled( with( hot( water( controls( and( understanding( MVHR( technology.((This(is(discussed(in(the(next(section.(

•

Door(and(window(fittings(were(not(very(robust(and(had(come(loose(in(several(flats.((

(

4.7

Design Intent to Reality (Control and Operation)

Discussions(with(occupants(regarding(MVHR(found(the(following:( Occupant*Observations*

Response*

The( majority( of( tenants( operating( the( building( This( was( found( to( be( positive( feedback( suggesting( the( design( and( systems( had( no( issues,( leaving( the( MVHR( intent(of(simplicity(is(working.((( to(run(and(do(its(own(thing(and(the(same(with( the(heating(element(in(the(supply(air.( The( majority( of( tenants( were( happy( with( This( was( found( to( positive( feedback( suggesting( the( design( comfort(levels(throughout(the(year(stating(that( intent( of( Passive( design( and( simplicity( is( working.( ( The( results( they( did( not( have( to( do( anything( apart( from( of(the(BUS(questionnaire(also(support(this.((( open(windows(in(summer.((They(found(the(flats( always(warm(in(winter.( Some(tenants(struggled(to(grasp(the(concept(of( Further( education( and( training( was( provided( to( the( MVHR( MVHR( and( what( it( was( doing.( ( They( saw( the( systems(and(its(operation.((( unit( in( the( cupboard( running( all( the( time( thinking( it( was( wasting( energy.( ( They( also( struggled( to( understand( that( the( MVHR( could( provide( heating( as( well( as( fresh( air.( ( This( is( despite( the( fact( that( they( can( all( operate( the( heating( in( their( cars( without( confusion,( which( operates(in(a(similar(way.((As(with(a(car(system( the(temperature(is(set(and(if(a(boost(is(required( the(fan(is(turned(up.(((( MVHR( filter( warning( light( was( set( to( come( on( Further(education(and(training(was(provided(to(the(occupants( every( 6( months( and( it( was( not( clear( to( the( regarding( MVHR( systems( and( its( operation.( ( ( It( was( also( tenants(what(this(meant(and(how(to(turn(it(off.((( observed( that( the( user( guide( did( not( cover( this( warning( light( accurately(and(tenants(then(used(the(main(MVHR(manual.((This( ( manual(however(did(not(reflect(accurately(the(system(installed,( as( the( boost( button( was( a( modification( away( from( standard( Zehnder(set(up.((This(was(reported(to(the(supplier.((( Heating( controls( were( not( responsive( enough( Some( tenants( used( the( thermostatic( controller( in( a( similar( in(2(flats.( manner(to(a(traditional(boiler(system(–(turning(the(thermostat( down( and( allowing( comfort( temperatures( to( drift( downwards( and( then( turning( up( when( they( wanted( it( warmer.(( Unfortunately(the(heater(in(the(air(supply(could(not(respond(in( this( manner,( as( the( air( volume( was( too( low( to( produce( rapid(

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( bursts(of(heat.(((A(paper(entitled(‘MVHR#Efficiency#Monitoring# Passivhaus# Knights# Place’( analyses( the( use( of( air( heating( in( further( detail.( ( Two( flats( (Flat( C( as( part( of( this( study( and( another(outside(this(study)(were(identified(to(be(struggling(to( optimise( the( air( heater( in( the( MVHR.( ( For( these( 2( flats( it( was( decided(to(install(a(panel(heater(in(the(living(room(and(one(in( the(bedroom.((The(tenants(then(chose(to(use(the(panel(heaters( and(not(the(air(heating(element.((Fortunately(the(scheme(had( included( blank( plate( fused( spurs( in( case( panel( heaters( were( required( for( such( a( scenario.( ( Feedback( suggested( that( both( sets(of(tenants(were(happier(with(this(system(as(it(was(easier( to(control(and(more(responsive(than(the(air(heating(system.((( ( Hot( water( systems( –( tenants( were( generally( happy(with(hot(water(systems(and(appreciated( the(‘free(energy’(contribution(from(the(sun.((A( wall( mounted( solar( temperature( display( also( informed(the(tenants(when(the(solar(panel(was( loading(the(cylinder.((

The( solar( panel( system( was( a( positive( contribution( to( the( scheme( and( the( tenants( and( clearly( works( as( the( measured( energy( data( suggests.( ( Unfortunately( detailed( monitoring( of( the(solar(panel(itself(was(not(successful.(

Hot(water(immersion(controller(–(some(tenants( Upon(investigation(it(was(found(that(the(immersion(controller( reported(this(as(being(difficult(to(operate(as(the( was( too( small( to( be( operated( effectively.( ( The( display( screen( display(was(too(small(( was( tiny( making( it( difficult( for( tenants( to( see( and( operate.(( Additional( training( and( set( up( was( provided( for( tenants( that( struggled(with(the(immersion(controller.((( Summer( comfort( was( good( during( summer( The( majority( of( tenants( found( summer( conditions( to( be( conditions( comfortable;(this(was(supported(by(the(BUS(survey.((They(can( easily(ventilate(the(flats(by(opening(windows(and(if(they(open( them(on(both(sides(of(the(flats(a(cross(flow(of(air(is(generated.(((( Summer(comfort(was(a(bit(warm(in(some(flats(

Some(tenants(found(that(their(flats(got(a(bit(warm(in(summer.(( Upon(investigation(it(was(found(that(in(one(flat(the(tenants(did( not( open( their( windows( enough( because( they( were( were( worried( about( their( cat( getting( out.( ( In( other( flats( they( had( covered( their( window( cills( with( plants( and( ornaments( and( as( the( windows( opened( inwards,( they( could( not( open( them( very( well.((It(was(also(observed(in(some(flats(that(when(the(windows( were(put(on(the(minimal(latch(position,(the(pressure(difference( from( one( side( of( the( building( to( the( other( pushed( them( shut.(((( There( was( no( means( to( hold( it( fixed( into( this( latch( position.(((( Further(training(was(provided(to(these(tenants.(((

( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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4.8

Design & Delivery - Conclusions and Key Findings

The(conclusions(drawn(show(that(simplicity(in(design(and(operation(is(the(key(to(a(PHI(design( working(successfully.((This(is(especially(so(for(occupants(who(have(no(understanding(of(PHI( design( and( have( had( no( particular( aspiration( to( live( in( a( PHI( certified( building.( ( For( the( majority( of( tenants( they( found( their( flats( comfortable( throughout( the( year( and( easy( to( operate( and( use.( ( Despite( repeat( training( some( tenants( were( still( struggling( to( grasp( the( MVHR( and( heating( control( and( PHI( design.( ( ( It( was( thought( that( due( to( this( (and( other( weaknesses(found(in(air(supply(heating)(that(separating(out(heating(from(the(MVHR(system( for(future(designs(of(small(compact(flats(would(be(the(way(forward.((The(other(weakness(was( the(lack(of(zone(control(and(the(heater(battery(only(operating(in(a(very(small(defined(range( and(being(limited(by(the(small(air(volume(delivered.((Having(2(separate(systems(allows(the( MVHR( to( run( independently( and( occupants( do( not( need( to( fiddle( with( it.( ( Any( small( heat( requirements(can(then(be(controlled(by(tenants(using(a(panel(heater.((( The( design( team( found( the( PHI( design( methodology( successful( in( delivering( a( low( energy( building.(((This(was(found(from(the(measured(BPE(data(for(heating(and(hot(water.((The(PHI( design(was(found(to(be(particularly(useful(during(construction(and(helped(to(ensure(that(the( thermal(strategy(was(achieved(during(construction.((Some(tenants(lifestyles(highlighted(that( more( education( was( required( in( this( area( to( reduce( energy( consumption,( as( the( building( design(was(limited(at(influencing(socket(and(equipment(loads.((( It( was( also( found( that( the( hot( water( controllers( were( too( small( and( complicated( to( understand(and(use(and(for(future(schemes(this(would(be(addressed.(((( The( ECC( maintenance( department( struggled( initially( with( the( MVHR( systems( as( there( were( few(mechanical(contractors(that(could(maintain(them.((This(has(now(changed(as(the(industry( has(caught(up(with(domestic(MVHR(systems.((( Moving( forward( it( was( thought( training( that( could( be( captured( and( recorded( would( be( a( good(way(for(occupants(to(remind(themselves(of(how(to(operate(their(flats.((During(the(initial( training( sessions( some( tenants( had( not( absorbed( all( the( advice( and( repeat( sessions( were( usually(required.((A(video(with(a(colour(A3(user(guide(in(a(frame(would(assist(with(this.((This( would(also(help(with(new(occupants(many(years(down(the(line(when(training(can(potentially( become(watered(down.((( It( was( also( thought( by( all( parties( involved,( that( post( occupancy( monitoring( and( support( of( new(builds(was(invaluable(to(the(landlord(ECC,(to(the(occupants(themselves(and(also(to(the( designers.( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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5 Occupant surveys using standardised housing questionnaire (BUS) and other occupant evaluation (

5.1

Tenant Feedback Comfort

The(tenants(have(been(very(positive(about(their(experiences(of(living(in(the(Passivhaus(flats( at(Knights(Place(to(date.( “I#love#the#fact#that#the#flat#is#warm#all#the#time#and#whenever#I#come#in#from#outside#it#is# always#nice#and#warm#unlike#any#other#building#I#have#been#in”# “#I#have#never#felt#uncomfortably#hot#or#cold#a#single#day#since#moving#in”# In(addition(to(this(kind(of(feedback(the(BUS(questionnaire(also(produced(very(positive(results.(( Figure(5.1(shows(the(scores(received(for(comfort(conditions(throughout(the(year(and(the(BUS( survey(was(carried(out(not(long(after(the(2013(summer(heat(wave(and(the(winter(ending(in( 2013,(which,(was(the(one(of(the(longest(and(coldest(for(50(years.(( Figure(5.1:(Comfort(Overall(Score(

( The( full( set( of( BUS( results( for( Knights( Place( can( be( found( http://portal.busmethodology.org.uk/Upload/Analysis/jnlzcjl2.htz/index.html.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

here(

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( Temperature(in(winter(received(an(orange(light(and(this(was(mainly(because(some(tenants( struggled(to(understand(the(MVHR(system(and(the(fact(that(it(was(also(the(heating(system( with(a(heater(battery(in(the(supply(air.((For(these(tenants(small(wall(panel(heaters(were(fitted( which(improved(the(situation.(((Health(perceived(also(received(an(orange(light(but(this(could( simply(be(due(to(the(nature(of(the(question(and(its(ambiguity(and(the(over(55’s(age(group( that(mainly(inhabits(Knights(Place.(((((( Figures(5.1<5.4(show(the(scores(received(for(comfort(conditions(throughout(the(year(and(the( BUS(survey(was(carried(out(not(long(after(the(2013(summer(heat(wave(and(the(winter(ending( in(2013(which(was(the(one(of(the(longest(and(coldest(for(50(years.(( Figure(5.1:(Comfort(Overall(Score(

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(5.2:(Temperature(in(Winter:(stable/varies(

( Figure(5.3:(Air(Quality(in(Winter(Score(

( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(5.4:(Temperatures(in(Summer(Score(

( These(comfort(conditions(recorded(in(the(BUS(questionnaires(were(also(observed(from(the( measured(data(as(can(be(seen(in(Figures(5.5(and(5.6(which(show(temperature(conditions(in( winter( and( summer( respectively.( ( Figure( 5.5( shows( temperature( conditions( not( dropping( below( 19.5oC( on( a( cold( winter’s( day( in( Flat( A,( which( does( not( engage( the( electric( heater( battery(throughout(the(heating(season.((The(pink(line(in(Figure(5.5(is(fan(power(only.(((Figure( 5.6(for(the(same(flat(shows(the(stability(of(summer(conditions(during(the(heat(wave(period.(( Internal( temperatures( within( this( flat( did( not( exceed( 26oC( for( more( than( 1%( of( the( time,( which( kept( in( line( with( CIBSE( Guide( A( overheating( criteria.( ( This( was( found( during( a( heat( wave(year,(a(worse(summer(weather(scenario(than(allowed(for(in(the(design.((( ( ( ( ( ( ( (

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( Figure(5.5:(Flat(A(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(on(a(Cold(Winters(Day((<2oC)(

( Figure(5.6:(Flat(A(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(During(Hot(Summer(July(Week(

(

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( In( addition( to( this( positive( feedback( regarding( comfort,( 2( flats( during( the( survey( scored( uncomfortable( conditions( during( winter.( ( Upon( further( investigation( this( turned( out( to( be( Flat( C( and( another( flat( in( block( 2( that( was( not( part( of( the( BPE( monitoring( study.( ( Flat( C( temperature( results( on( a( cold( winter’s( day( are( seen( in( Figure( 5.7.( ( The( temperature( difference(between(bedroom(and(living(room(can(is(2<3oC.((The(pink(line(in(Figure(5.7(shows( the( heater( battery( switching( on( and( off( and( towards( the( end( of( the( day.( ( When( the( living( room(is(up(to(temperature(it(switches(off(and(a(corresponding(drop(in(temperature(can(be( seen( in( the( bedroom.( ( One( of( the( reasons( for( the( higher( temperature( in( the( living( room( is( due(to(the(occupants(being(at(home(during(the(day(and(using(the(living(room(more(than(the( bedroom.((This(would(result(in(heat(gains(from,(not(only,(themselves(but(also(from(the(home( entertainment(systems(they(use(as(part(of(their(sedentary(lifestyle.((The(bedroom(was(mainly( empty( during( the( day( with( little( internal( heat( gain.( ( In( addition( to( this( the( thermostat( was( located(in(the(living(room(and(was(the(only(form(of(control(for(the(heating(element(in(the( supply(air.((When(the(living(room(was(up(to(temperature(the(heating(element(would(switch( off(affecting(the(bedroom.(( Figure(5.7:(Flat(C(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(on(a(Cold(Winters(Day((<2oC)(

(

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( A( paper( written( by( G&S,( as( part( of( this( project( entitled( ‘MVHR# Efficiency# Monitoring# Passivhaus# Knights# Place’,( investigates( the( effectiveness( and( controllability( of( supply( air( heating( for( the( scheme( and( concludes( that( for( small( compact( flats( as( is( found( at( Knights( Place(it(is(very(sensitive(to(correct(operation(and(correct(air(volumes.((( The( BUS( survey( also( highlighted( that( some( tenants( were( struggling( with( control( over( the( heating( system( as( can( be( seen( in( Figure( 5.8.( ( The( percentile( score( is( amber( and( also( approaching(the(upper(mean(limit(suggesting(that(it(needs(looking(into.(((As(a(result(of(these( findings,( the( measured( data( and( the( detailed( study( into( the( MVHR( and( heating,( additional( panel(heaters(have(been(provided(in(the(bedroom(and(living(room(and(the(thermostat(has( ben(relocated(to(the(hallway(in(some(flats.((( Figure(5.8:(Control(Over(Heating((

( Some(of(the(results(appear(negative(in(their(presentation(but(in(actual(fact(are(very(positive,( and(reflect(how(the(tenants(have(interpreted(the(form.((For(instance(the(flats(were(designed( for(very(good(natural(daylight(levels.((The(BUS(questionnaire(recorded(back(that(the(flats(had( too(much(natural(daylight.((After(discussing(this(with(the(occupants(it(became(apparent(that( the( tenants( thought( that( they( were( giving( the( flats( the( highest( score( for( daylihgt( levels,( rather( than( too( much( daylight.( ( In( reality( it( is( unlikley( that( flat( is( going( to( suffer( from( too( much(daylight.(((( Another( example( was( regarding( the( air( movement( in( winter( and( whether( it( was( still( or( draughty.((The(presentation(results(show(this(as(negative((see(Figure(5.9)(stating(that(air(in( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( winter(is(too(still.((A(Passivhaus(however(is(designed(to(minimise(draughts(from(hot(and(cold( temperature( difference( found( in( typical( poorly( insulated( properties.( ( Inner( surface( temperatures( of( walls( and( windows( are( designed( to( be( no( lower( than( 1oC( and( 3.5oC( (respectively)(internal(air(temperatures.((This(is(achieved(via(highly(insulated(walls(and(triple( glazing( and( results( in( uniform( temperatures( throughout.( ( Occupants( then( benefit( from( a( thermally(stable(environment(in(winter.(((The(still(conditions(highlighted(in(Figure(5.9(are(not( poor( conditions( but( are( in( fact( uniform( conditions( as( supported( by( the( air( quality( results.(( Further(discussions(with(the(tenants(showed(that(they(thought(were(giving(the(hightest(score( on(the(form(for(air(movement,(as(for(them(the(flat(was(not(draughty.( ( Figure(5.9:(Air(in(Winter:(still/draughty((

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( ( Storage(scored(quite(poorly(and(recorded(a(red(as(can(be(seen(in(figure(5:10(below.((The(flats( were(quite(compact(and(both(stoarge(cupboards(contained(mechanical(plant.((The(hot(water( cylinder(was(in(one(and(the(MVHR(unit(was(in(another.((This(is(important(to(consider(when( designing(small(compact(flats(that(sufficient(storage(is(provided.( Figure(5.10:(Storage((

(

5.2

User Guides / Operation & Maintenance Manual / Training

As(detailed(in(section(4(training(was(provided(to(both(tenants(and(ECC(staff(at(the(outset(by( the(contractor(and(the(architect.((It(was(felt(by(all(that(a(significant(amount(of(effort(went( into( provided( training( for( the( tenants.( ( ( ( This( was( both( at( the( outset( and( during( the( first( 2( years(of(occupancy.((The(BPE(project(itself(also(assisted(with(this.((( As(well(as(providing(to(the(tenants(a(simple(user(guide(about(the(scheme(and(its(Passivhaus( criteria( a( more( detailed( manual( folder( was( provided( which( described( each( of( the( energy( systems( within( the( flat( i.e.( the( MVHR( system,( solar( system( etc.( ( It( was( found( upon( review( that(the(user(guide(was(very(good(consisting(of(a(couple(of(pages(description(about(the(PHI( design( and( its( operation( but( the( manual( was( a( little( too( detailed( and( complicated.( ( For( example(the(MVHR(section(was(simply(the(full(technical(document(from(the(supplier(but(it( did(not(cover(the(heater(battery.((((The(description(of(the(heater(battery(control(was(covered( elsewhere(in(a(small(laminated(card(and(this(worked(well(with(the(tenants.(((

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( Some(tenants(had(no(problem(with(the(MVHR(system(and(heating(others(despite(the(training( could(not(grasp(the(concept(of(mechanical(ventilation(with(heat(recovery,(even(more(so(that( it(was(doing(heating(as(well((see(section(4.7).(((They(did(not(understand(why(the(fans(were( running(all(the(time(or(why(they(needed(it.(((Some(operated(the(thermostat(on(the(wall(like(a( conventional(heating(system(turning(it(up(and(down(and(expecting(instant(heat(when(they( turned(it(up.((The(nature(of(the(air(heating(system(was(that(it(was(a(slow(response(system( and(the(thermostat(should(be(left(at(20<210C.(((((( It(was(felt(by(the(BPE(team(that(in(this(situation(separating(out(the(heating(system(from(the( supply( air( would( make( this( system( simpler( to( understand( for( tenants.( ( ( ( In( fact( the( MVHR( system( could( be( left( alone( to( ventilate( whilst( small( heat( requirement( could( be( me( via( an( independent(panel(heater.((( The(hot(water(element(controller(was(very(small(and(difficult(to(read(the(display(and(operate( the(buttons(for(some(tenants.(((The(documentation(that(came(with(the(product(was(also(a( very(small(folded(booklet(and(was(difficult(for(some(tenants(to(understand.((A(review(of(this( product( by( the( team( also( found( the( same( observation.( ( Small( things( like( this( can( lead( to( inefficient(operation(of(the(solar(thermal(system(if(the(electric(element(is(not(set(up(correctly( for(back(up(operation.((((( Even(when(there(is(repeat(training(with(accompanying(literature(it(will(take(a(while(for(some( tenants( to( adapt( to( living( in( home( that( is( so( different( to( what( they( have( been( previously( living(in.((((Keeping(controls,(training(and(user(guides(simple(will(help(with(this(transition.((A( video(with(a(colour(A3(user(guide(in(a(frame(would(also(assist(with(this.((This(would(also(help( with( new( occupants( many( years( down( the( line( when( training( can( potentially( become( watered(down.((( (

5.3

Occupant Surveys - Conclusions and Key Findings

The(BUS(survey(clearly(shows(that(the(scheme(is(working(for(energy,(comfort,(air(quality,(and( simplicity(of(use.(((The(small(concerns(found(with(some(occupants(such(as(complicated(hot( water(controller(and(optimising(MVHR(heating(will(be(taken(on(board(for(future(designs(to( ensure(that(these(positive(findings(become(even(better(for(any(new(schemes.( ( (

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(

6 Installation and commissioning checks of services and systems, services performance checks and evaluation (

( The( following( systems( relating( to( energy( use( were( installed( at( Knights( Place.( ( Their( installation(and(commissioning(will(be(evaluated(in(this(section:( •

Solar(thermal(system(

•

Hot(and(cold(pipework(systems(

•

MVHR(system(

6.1

Solar Panel System

6.1.1* Monitoring*Equipment* Of(all(the(mechanical(and(electrical(systems(at(Knights(Place(the(solar(panel(system(was(the( most(complex(to(monitor(in(line(with(the(TSB(requirements.((The(Solartwin(system,(consisting( of(mirobore(rubber(flow(and(return(pipework,(operates(at(very(low(flow(rates(and(also(has(a( variable( volume( system.( ( The( pump,( operating( via( a( PV( cell,( ramps( up( the( flow( rate( the( sunnier(it(becomes.((((Gale(&(Snowden(and(the(manufacturer(put(a(lot(of(time(and(energy( into(finding(the(most(appropriate(solution(for(monitoring(this(system(discussing(it(with(many( equipment( suppliers( and( reviewing( many( technical( data( sheets.( ( A( solution( was( eventually( found(which(consisted(of(a(pyranometer(being(installed(at(roof(level(to(collect(solar(data(and( a( Supercal( 531( integrator( with( pulse( output( and( an( OG2( flow( meter.( ( The( equipment( was( installed( but( it( was( never( commissioned( to( work( correctly.( ( Unfortunately( at( the( time( Solartwin(went(into(administration(and(the(installer(Solartwin(used(did(not(understand(fully( the( equipment( being( installed.( ( Despite( the( best( efforts( of( G&S( the( equipment( sat( doing( nothing( for( the( duration( of( the( monitoring( period,( hence( disappointingly( the( solar( system( could(not(be(measured.(

6.1.2* Installation*and*Commissioning*Check* At(the(outset(of(the(monitoring(project(the(solar(panel(systems(were(inspected(in(each(of(the( 3(flats.((During(one(inspection(it(was(noted(that(the(top(of(the(cylinder(on(an(averagely(sunny( day(was(recording(temperatures(of(79oC((see(Figure(6.1).(((This(was(thought(to(be(unusual( and(upon(more(detailed(inspection(it(was(found(that(the(electric(immersion(was(set(to(75oC( and(not(60oC.((This(only(became(apparent(by(removing(the(cover(plate(of(the(cylinder(casing( and(then(removing(the(plate(covering(the(immersion.((A(setting(of(75oC(would(result(in(the( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( hot( water( being( overheated( in( the( morning( and( evening( and( overriding( the( solar( panel( performance(reducing(its(efficiency.((In(addition(the(system(was(set(to(dump(heat(back(to(the( panel( when( the( cylinder( temperature( reached( 800C.( ( Depending( on( the( sensitivity( of( the( sensors(it(is(likely(that(some(of(the(heat(being(generated(electrically(was(being(dumped(back( out(to(the(panel.(((( Once( this( was( highlighted( ECC( were( informed( and( all( immersions( were( then( reset( to( 60oC.(( Discussions( were( then( held( with( the( installers( to( establish( why( the( immersion( heater( had( been(set(up(incorrectly.((It(became(apparent(that(the(installers(did(not(feel(that(it(was(their( responsibility,( as( the( cylinders( arrived( on( site( with( that( setting,( even( after( they( had( been( reminded( that( the( specification( had( specifically( stated( a( MCS( (micro( certification( scheme)( accredited( installation( and( it( was( expected( that( the( solar( systems( were( to( be( installed( and( commissioned( in( an( efficient( manner.( ( Despite( this( the( installer( still( did( not( accept( any( responsibility.((( Figure(6.1:(Solartwin(solar(display( ( Top(reading(=(solar(panel(temperature( ( Middle( reading( =( top( of( cylinder( temperature( ( Bottom( reading( =( bottom( of( cylinder( temperature(

( ( (

6.2

Hot and Cold Water Pipework

The( installation( of( the( hot( and( cold( pipework( was( inspected.( ( It( was( found( to( be( robustly( installed,( following( the( specifications( and( drawings( but( there( was( an( issue( with( the( insulation.((Insulation(was(found(to(be(installed(and(covered(the(pipe(completely(on(straight( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( pipe(runs,(but(wherever(there(was(a(valve,(tee(junction(bend(or(other(fitting(the(insulation( was(poorly(fitted(or(not(fitted(at(all(as(can(be(seen(in(Figure(6.2.( Figure( 6.2:( Pipework( and( valves( with( no( insulation( ( (

( Discussions( with( the( design( team( found( that( even( to( get( the( mechanical( contractor( to( insulate(to(this(level(was(a(struggle(on(site.((The(mechanical(contractors(did(not(allow(for(a( professional(insulation(company(to(fit(the(pipe(insulation(as(you(would(get(with(a(commercial( scheme( and( plant( room.( ( Despite( the( scheme( value( being( over( £2M( the( sub( contractors( approached(it(with(a(very(domestic(mentality.((The(insulation(installed(was(‘Armaflex’,(which( has( clear( details( for( installing( on( bends,( tee( junctions( and( around( fittings;( unfortunately( these(were(not(followed.(((Correct(insulation(of(pipework(is(important(because(of(the(risk(of( condensation(forming(on(cold(water(pipework(and(it(also(reduces(unwanted(heat(loss(in(hot( water(pipework(systems.(( (

6.3

MVHR

The(MVHR(systems(were(subject(to(detailed(inspection(and(testing.((This(consisted(of:( •

Design(drawing(review(

•

Commissioning(documentation(review(

•

Installation(review(and(inspection(

•

Air(balance(check(

•

Temperature(data(logging(of(all(4(air(streams(and(after(electric(heater(battery(

•

MVHR(Heat(exchanger(efficiency(review(in(line(with(PHI(and(BRE(calculation(methods(

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( •

Air(supply(heating(review(

•

Air(quality(review(

6.3.1* Design*Review* Details(of(the(MVHR(design(can(be(found(in(section(2.((The(system(was(found(to(be(installed( in(line(with(the(design(documents(and(drawings.((Flexible(attenuators(were(installed(where( the(duct(connects(to(the(spigots(of(the(unit.((The(insulation(on(the(cold(ducts(was(found(to(be( robustly(installed(and(vapour(sealed.((The(MVHR(system(was(installed(in(its(own(blockwork( cupboard( and( sufficient( access( was( allowed( for( maintenance( and( filter( renewal.( ( An( issue( arose(during(construction(with(regard(to(the(ductwork(quality(and(further(details(on(this(can( be( found( in( section( 2( and( a( document( entitled# ‘Knights# Place# &# Rowan# House# Ductwork# Observations’(provides(further(details(on(this.(

6.3.2* Commissioning*Review*and*Air*Balance*Check* Prior( to( handover( each( MVHR( system( was( commissioned( in( accordance( with( Part( F( of( the( Building( Regulations.( ( This( paper( work( was( completed( and( found( to( be( in( accordance( with( Part(F.((These(documents(are(available(and(are(included(in(the(appendices.((As(part(of(the(TSB( check(which(was(approximately(one(year(later((June(2012)(the(air(volumes(were(measured( again( in( Flat( A( and( Flat( C.( ( It( was( not( possible( to( measure( Flat( B( due( to( the( lack( of( cooperation(of(the(occupants(who(were(out(whenever(the(test(engineer(arrived.((Table(1(and( Table(2(detail(the(original(commissioned(air(volumes(and(the(TSB(checks.((( ( Table(6.1:(Flat(A(commissioned(air(volumes( Flat*A*

Measured*air*flow*

Design*air*flow*high*

Measured*air*flow*

Design*air*flow*rate*

high*rate*(l/s)*

rate*(l/s)*

low*rate*(l/s)*

(l/s)*

Original*Part*F*commissioned*air*volumes*(2011)* Total(supply(

21.1(

21.0(

9.7(

9.5(

Total(extract(

21.2(

21.0(

9.6(

9.5

(

TSB*air*volume*check*(15/06/12)* Total(supply(

26.8(

21.0(

11.6(

9.5(

Total(extract(

33.5(

21.0(

12.9(

9.5

(

( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( ( Table(6.2:(Flat(C(commissioned(air(volumes( Flat*A*

Measured*air*flow*

Design*air*flow*high*

Measured*air*flow*

Design*air*flow*rate*

high*rate*(l/s)*

rate*(l/s)*

low*rate*(l/s)*

(l/s)*

Original*Part*F*commissioned*air*volumes*(2011)* Total(supply(

21.1(

21.0(

12.3(

12.1(

Total(extract(

21.1(

21.1(

12.2(

12.1

(

TSB*air*volume*check*(15/06/12)* Total(supply(

29.4(

21.1(

16.7(

12.1(

Total(extract(

27.9(

21.0(

13.4(

12.1

(

It(can(be(seen(for(both(flats(that(the(air(volume(measurement(has(increased(for(both(the(low( rate(and(high(rate(and(supply(and(extracts(are(out(of(balance(with(each(other.((In(Flat(A(the( extract(is(approximately(11%(higher(than(the(supply.((In(Flat(C(it(is(the(other(way(round(and( the(supply(is(approximately(25%(higher(than(the(extract.((Discussions(with(the(organisation( that(carried(out(the(measurements(found(that(it(was(carried(out(on(a(very(windy(day(and(this( could( have( affected( the( results.( ( The( original( intent( was( for( the( supply( and( extract( to( be( balanced(so(that(no(cold(air(is(pulled(in(through(the(fabric(and(that(no(warm(moist(air(pushed( out(into(it.((This(retest(has(shown(the(importance(of(fine(tuning(and(checking(air(volumes(one( year(after(handover.((Air(volumes(can(change(for(various(reasons(such(as:( •

Sometimes(original(building(regulations(test(is(rushed(and(not(carried(out(correctly(

•

The(original(test(could(have(taken(place(with(filters(dirty(from(site(work(

•

Occupants(or(maintenance(personal(alter(disc(valve(settings(

•

Filters(block(up(and(knock(air(balance(out(

( In(addition(the(MVHR(systems(are(constant(volume(systems,(which(are(typically(found(in(the( domestic(MVHR(market.((When(filters(block(up(the(system(pressure(increases(and(results(in( reduced( air( volumes.( ( One( alternative( would( be( to( have( domestic( systems( that( can( be( variable( speed( in( operation,( maintaining( air( volumes( even( when( the( filter( pressure( is( increased.((Another(alternative(is(to(have(CO2(controlled(systems(which(ramp(up(and(down( when(air(quality(conditions(dictate.((A(balance(has(to(be(found(however(between(increased( capital(costs(and(increased(complexity.((CO2(variable(volume(systems(can(be(more(complex( to(commission(and(sensors(can(be(expensive.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( It(was(noted(that(original(commissioning(figures(allowed(for(a(4%(flat(volume(infiltration(rate( as(detailed(in(Table(1b(of(Part(F.((This(is(questionable,(as(the(scheme(has(been(designed(to( the(Passivhaus(air(tightness(standard,(hence(infiltration(should(be(minimal(and(not(included( in(this(calculation.((If(it(is(not(included(minimum(design(air(volumes(in(accordance(with(Part(F( for(Flat(A(would(increase(from(9.5(l/s(to(13(l/s(and(for(Flat(C(would(increase(from(12.1(l/s(to( 17(l/s.((It(was(decided(to(review(these(measured(air(volumes(against(air(quality.(

6.3.3* CO2*and*Air*Quality* CO2(and(Air(Quality( The(main(emphasis(of(assessing(C02(levels(was(to(determine(how(the(bedrooms(performed(at( night(when(1(or(2(people(were(guaranteed(to(be(present(in(the(room(for(a(prolonged(period.(( Analysis(of(the(results(found(CO2(levels(in(the(flats(to(have(mean(levels(of(800(–(1000(ppm( with( peaks( of( up( to( 1200( <( 1400( ppm( at( night( during( very( cold( winter( periods.( ( This( was( higher( than( initially( expected( when( comparing( with( the( standards( found( in( 1.1.2( but( upon( further(analysis(it(found(these(levels(to(be(relatively(reasonable(for(an(occupied(bedroom(at( night(in(a(small(compact(flat.((( This( study( has( found( that( to( achieve( air( quality( levels( as( detailed( in( relevant( standards( between(600(–(1000(ppm(at(night(in(flats(that(are(small(and(compact(the(following(will(be(the( result:( •

Relative(humidity(is(likely(to(drop(as(low(as(30%rh(

•

MVHR(fan(noise(will(increase((

•

Additional(fan(power(energy(consumption((although(likely(to(be(small)(

( The(fact(that(the(flats(are(so(small(also(exaggerates(the(CO2(concentrations.(((If(the(flats(were( increased(in(size(but(the(number(of(wet(rooms(remained(the(same(the(CO2(ppm(count(will( reduce( with( the( larger( volume( inside( the( flat( to( dissipate( the( C02( levels.( ( ( It( has( been( recognized(for(some(time(now(that(the(UK(construction(industry(build(homes(with(less(floor( area(than(the(equivalent(on(the(continent.( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(6.3:(Flat(C(CO2(during(winter(2012<13(

( Figure(6.4:(Flat(B(CO2(&(Temperature(July(12(–(June(13(

( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(6.5:(Flat(C(CO2(&(RH(levels(during(cold(winter(month(

( Figure(6.6:(Flat(A(CO2(&(RH(levels(during(cold(winter(month(

( (

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(

6.3.4* Humidity* Humidity(results(have(been(very(positive(in(Flat(A(and(Flat(C,(with(both(flats(rarely(dropping( below(40%(RH((relative(humidity)(and(rarely(exceeding(60%(RH.((Flat(B(on(the(other(hand(has( seen( RH( levels( drop( as( low( as( 30%( in( winter,( which( is( due( to( the( windows( being( open( in( winter.( ( This( cold( air( load( in( addition( to( the( air( supply( from( the( MVHR( system( requires( additional( heating,( which( in( turn( creates( a( higher( volume( of( dry( air( in( the( flat.( ( It( also( highlights( that( if( MVHR( air( volumes( were( increased( to( reduce( CO2( levels,( then( relative( humidity(would(also(drop(to(levels(deemed(uncomfortable.((During(this(study(another(flat(at( Knights( Place,( reported( a( heating( problem( and( it( was( decided( to( increase( the( MVHR( air( volume( to( enable( more( heat.( ( Unfortunately( the( breakout( noise( also( increased( from( the( MVHR( system( and( out( of( the( grilles.( ( The( tenant( did( not( find( this( acceptable,( as( they( had( already( been( accustomed( to( a( certain( noise( level( within( the( flat.( ( This( highlighted( that( increasing( air( volumes( in( this( manner( would( not( be( an( option( unless( the( tenants( found( air( quality(unacceptable.(((

6.3.5* Temperature*Logging*and*MVHR*Efficiency*Review* The(duct(data(loggers(were(removed(towards(the(end(of(the(monitoring(period(for(the(3(flats( and(some(interesting(results(were(found.((Figures(6.7(and(6.8(show(the(efficiencies(recorded( and( temperatures( in( the( different( air( ducts( during( the( first( winter.( ( Both( the( BRE( (Building( Research( Establishment)( efficiency( calculation( method( and( the( PHI( efficiency( calculation( method( were( calculated( with( the( temperature( results( found.( ( There( appears( to( be( no( temperature(conditions(where(the(supply(air(is(seen(to(drop(below(16.5oC.((( The( results( show( that( supply( air( temperatures( are( high( enough( to( avoid( cold( draughts( and( have( enabled( a( detailed( analysis( of( the( efficiency( of( the( MVHR( systems( inSsitu( using( calculation( methods( between( the( BRE( and( PHI.( ( InSsitu# testing( of( equipment( in( the( field( is( always( going( to( be( difficult( as( systems( are( set( up( and( installed( differently( from( home( to( home(and(are(reliant(on(the(sensitivity(of(the(sensors(used(and(in(this(case(where(they(are( located(in(the(system.((A(detailed(analysis(has(also(shown(that(heater(batteries(in(the(supply( air(of(the(MVHR(system(can(be(very(sensitive(to(small(changes(in(air(volumes(and(due(to(this( the(use(of(them(and(how(they(are(designed(into(such(systems(requires(careful(consideration.( A( paper( entitled( ‘MVHR# Efficiency# Monitoring# Passivhaus# Knights# Place’( provides( further( details(on(the(efficiency(and(temperature(results(and(also(the(detailed(assessment(of(electric( heating( in( the( supply( air.( ( As( a( result( of( this( study( it( has( been( decided( not( to( use( electric( heating(elements(further(in(the(supply(air(for(small(compact(social(housing(schemes(despite( their(obvious(advantages(in(terms(of(cost(and(simplicity.(

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( Figure(6.7:(Flat(C(PHI(&(BRE(MVHR(Efficiency((1st(Nov(2012(–(31st(Dec(2012)( 120.0!

100.0! BRE!EfRiciency!%!(Ts!M!Tout)!/!(TinM Tout)!

Eff(%)(

80.0!

PHI!EfRiciency!%!(Tin!M!Texh)!+!(Pel/ (V.C))/(TinMTout)!design!fan!data!

60.0!

40.0!

PHI!efRiciency!%!(Tin!M!Texh)!+!(Pel/ (V.C))/(TinMTout)!measured!fan!data!

0.0!

1! 83! 165! 247! 329! 411! 493! 575! 657! 739! 821! 903! 985! 1067! 1149! 1231! 1313! 1395! 1477! 1559! 1641! 1723! 1805! 1887! 1969!

20.0!

( (

st

st

Hourly(data((1 (Nov(2012(–(31 (Dec(2012(

Figure(6.8:(Flat(C(PHI(&(BRE(MVHR(Efficiency((1st(Nov(2012(–(31st(Dec(2012)( 45! 40! 35! Exhaust!Air!Temp!degC!(Tex)! 30! Extract!Air!Temp!degC!(Tin)!

C(

25! Intake!Air!Temp!degC!(Tout)!

O

20!

Supply!Air!Pre!Heater!Temp!degC!(Ts)!

15!

Supply!Air!Post!Heater!Temp!degC! (Th)!

10!

0!

(

1! 76! 151! 226! 301! 376! 451! 526! 601! 676! 751! 826! 901! 976! 1051! 1126! 1201! 1276! 1351! 1426! 1501! 1576! 1651! 1726! 1801! 1876! 1951! 2026!

5!

st

(

st

Hourly(data((1 (Nov(2012(–(31 (Dec(2012)(

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6.3.6* Specific*Fan*Power*Analysis* In(the(paper(entitled(‘MVHR#Efficiency#Monitoring#Passivhaus#Knights#Place’(an(analysis(was( carried(out(on(specific(fan(power(for(the(unit.(( Fan(power(can(be(extrapolated(using(energy(readings(from(the(sub(meter(on(the(electrical( feed(to(the(MVHR(system,((see(figure(6.9).((The(fan(power(of(the(MVHAR(unit(in(each(flat(was(( very( similar( peaking( at( 0.002( kWh( at( 5( minute( peak( intervals( which( equates( to( about( 24( Watts.((In(addition(the(MVHR(air(volumes(for(Flat(A(and(Flat(C(were(measured(again(a(year( after( operation( and( were( found( to( be( slightly( higher( than( the( original( Building( Regulations( test.((The(whole(house(minimum(air(volume(for(Flat(A(was(12(l/s(and(for(Flat(C(was(14(l/s.((( Figure(6(.9(Typical(Measured(MVHR(Fan(Power(over(a(24(hour(period(

( ( (

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( When(assessing(the(specific(fan(power(against(these(air(volumes(and(the(sub(meter(data(of( 24(Watts(this(equates(to:( Flat(A((24/12(or(2.0(W(l/s((

(

(

Flat(C(24/14(or(1.71(W/l/s.(((

Both( results( are( much( higher( than( the( BRE( specific( fan( power( of( 0.91( W/l/s( suggesting( inefficient( operation.( ( ( When( assessing( specific( fan( power( following( the( PHI( calculation( of( 0.42(Wh/m3,(the(results(were:(( Flat(A((24/(3.6x12)(=(0.55(Wh/m3((

(

Flat(B(=(24/(3.6x14)(=(0.47(Wh/m3.(((

( Both(of(these(figures(for(each(flat(are(not(too(far(removed(from(the(PHI(figure.(((( The( natural( question( is( why( is( monitored( specific( fan( power( so( much( higher( than( the( BRE( figure.((Either(it(is(correct(and(operating(at(a(lower(efficiency(because(of(a(higher(pressure( drop(due(to(the(nature(of(the(ductwork(distribution(or(it(is(correct(and(operating(within(its( normal(operating(band(and(the(BRE(figure(is(unrealistically(too(low.(((The(BRE(test(allows(for( 125mm(diameter(ductwork,(at(Knights(Place(due(to(space(restrictions(rectangular(ductwork( was( used( which( would( have( a( higher( pressure( drop( then( circular.( Discussions( with( the( supplier(found(for(the(unit(to(operate(at(a(specific(fan(power(of(0.91(W/l/s(it(would(have(to( have( an( unrealistically( low( pressure( drop( of( 10( Pascals( when( running( at( 12( l/s.( ( Another( possibility( is( a( limitation( in( the( sub( meter( and( that( it( cannot( read( energy( consumption( accurately( at( such( low( levels.( ( ( This( analysis( does( highlight( a( performance( gap( in( the( data( used( as( part( of( the( SAP( assessment;( if( it( is( unrealistic( than( it( will( show( the( building( performing(better(than(in(reality.((( (

6.4

Installation & Commissioning - Conclusions and Key Findings

The( installation( and( commissioning( check( of( the( services( at( Knights( Place( has( made( some( detailed(and(important(findings:( •

Mechanical( installation( contractors( need( to( make( sufficient( allowance( to( install( insulation( correctly( to( pipework( systems( ensuring( that( insulation( is( wrapped( neatly( around(all(fittings(and(valves.(((

•

Designers(may(consider(undersizing(pipework(to(reduce(heat(loss,(provided(that(there( is( no( knock( on( pressure( issue( and( they( ensure( that( bathrooms( and( kitchen( etc( are( located(close(to(each(other(to(reduce(long(pipe(runs.(((

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( •

MVHR(air(volumes(need(to(be(correctly(commissioned(prior(to(handover(with(clean( filters(in(place(

•

Disc( valves,( if( used,( should( be( lockable( so( that( they( cannot( be( tampered( with( afterwards(

•

Performance(data(used(for(SAP(from(Appendix(Q(needs(to(provide(realistic(efficiency( figures(

•

The( use( of( supply( air( heater( batteries( in( small( compact( flats( needs( to( be( carefully( considered( as( they( are( very( sensitive( to( small( air( volumes( changes( and( may( not( provide( sufficient( duty( when( required.( ( It( was( also( found( that( some( occupants( struggled(to(optimise(the(MVHR(air(supply(heater.(

( Key( systems,( including( the( MVHR( air( balance( and( the( solar( panel( operation,( should( be( checked(6(months(to(1(year(after(handover(to(ensure(that(they(are(operating(correctly(and( efficiently.((( ( ( (

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7 Monitoring methods and findings ( This(section(provides(a(summary(breakdown(of(the(key(findings(from(the(hard(monitoring(–( energy,(water,(temperature,(humidity(and(CO2.(((

7.1

Energy

7.1.1* PHI*Studies*on*the*Continent* Prior(to(assessing(the(energy(consumption(of(the(3(flats(at(Knights(Place(other(studies(on(PHI( certified( design( were( researched.( ( This( included( a( study( by( the( Passivhaus( Institute,( which( monitored(and(assessed(32(PHI(designed(houses(in(Hannover(3(years(after(hand(over.((Figure( 7.1(provides(details(of(heat(load(analysis(for(these(homes.(( Figure(7.1(Measured(Heating(Consumption((kWh/m2/yr)(32(PHI(homes(in(Hannover( st

nd

rd

Red(=(PHI(design(mean,(Green(=(1 (year(mean,(Blue(=(2 (year(mean,(black(=(3 (year(mean(

( It(can(be(seen(that(for(the(3(year(period(the(mean(heat(loss(figure(is(below(the(PHI(target(of( 15(kWh/m2/yr.(((However(it(is(important(to(note(that(some(homes(use(more(than(the(15(kWh( target(and(some(use(less.((This(study(emphasises(the(effect(that(different(life(styles(have(on( heating(consumption.((Some(occupants(prefer(to(have(their(thermostat(set(to(23oC(whereas( others( prefer( 20oC.( ( Some( occupants( are( at( home( all( day( some( are( not.( ( Some( occupants( prefer( to( open( windows( even( in( winter( with( the( MVHR( system( running( others( keep( the( windows(closed.((With(these(findings(from(the(continent(in(mind(we(will(now(look(in(more( detail(at(the(energy(analysis(at(Knights(Place.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

7.1.2* Knights*Place*Energy* The(study(so(far(has(found(that(the(flats(are(performing(in(line(with(the(PHI(design(energy( targets(with(regards(to(heating,(sub(metered(energy(data(has(found(this(to(be(the(case.((This( assessment( also( includes( a( bitter( long( and( cold( winter( with( March( 2013( being( the( coldest( since( 1962( with( an( average( monthly( temperature( of( 2.6oC( (Office( for( National( Statistics( <( ONS).(( Figure(7.2:(Heating(Energy(Comparison(2012(–(2013((kWh/m2.yr)(

Heating(Energy(kWh/sq.m.yr( 80!

69!

70! 60! 50! 33!

40! 30! 20!

15!

10!

11! 0!

0! PHPP! Design!

Flat!A!

Flat!B!

Flat!C!

OFGEM!

Heating!Energy!kWh/sq.m.yr!

( Analysis(of(the(energy(data((figure(7.2)(has(found(that(the(heating(criterion(is(being(met(and( even( exceeded.( ( Figure( 7.2( shows( that( Flat( A( uses( no( heating( at( all( throughout( the( winter( period,(and(flat(C(is(under(the(15(kWh/m2/yr(at(10.5(kWh/m2/yr.((Flat(B(was(found(to(exceed( the(space(heating(demand(target(at(33(kWh/m2/yr.((Further(analysis(of(Flat(C(found(that(the( occupants(preferred(to(keep(their(windows(open(in(winter.((Despite(being(informed(of(the( energy(penalty(associated(with(this(approach(they(still(carried(on(which(was(simply(down(to( habit(as(‘this(is(what(they(had(always(done’.((A(thermal(imaging(survey(at(07:00(am(at(<20C( external( air( temperatures( also( found( the( windows( to( be( open.( ( Despite( windows( open( in( winter(the(heating(consumption(for(Flat(B(was(still(very(good.( The( results( therefore( are( very( positive( indeed( against( this( cold( winter( and( figure( 7.2( compares(in(graphical(format(the(flats(against(the(design(intent(and(what(would(be(expected( from( a( typical( home( in( accordance( with( data( from( OFGEM( (Office( of( Gas( and( Electricity( Markets)( in( their( report( ‘Typical# Domestic# Energy# Consumption# Figures# 2011’.( ( ( It( can( be( clearly(seen(even(for(flat(B(with(the(windows(opens(that(it(is(still(some(way(under(the(typical( OFGEM(heating(consumption(data.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(7.3:(Metered(and(Primary(Energy(Comparison((kWh/m2.yr)( 250!

600!

198!

200!

534!

500! 400!

150! 300!

88!

100! 50!

42!

78!

200!

55!

239! 120!

210! 149!

100! 0!

0!

PHPP! Flat!A! Flat!B! Flat!C! OFGEM! Design!

PHPP! Flat!A! Flat!B! Flat!C! OFGEM! Design!

Metered!Energy!kWh/sq.m.yr!

Primary!Energy!kWh/sq.m.yr!

(

Metered(energy(=(energy(in(each(flat(as(it(is(used(

(

Primary(energy(=(metered(energy(x(2.7(factor(to( take( account( energy( generation( losses( as( per( PHPP(calculation(

The(primary(energy(demand(target(was(found(to(be(higher(for(all(3(flats((see(figure(7.3).(((Flat( B(was(only(slightly(above(the(target(whereas(flat(C(was(found(to(be(more(than(4(times(above( it.(((It(was(found(that(the(majority(of(this(energy(load(was(due(to(sockets(and(appliances(and( therefore(tenant(lifestyle(and(behaviour.((((It(is(worth(noting(that(although(this(figure(is(a(PHI( certification( requirement( its( main( purpose( is( to( restrict( the( range( of( suitable( heating( and( domestic( hot( water( solutions( to( avoid( carbon( intensive( technologies( rather( than( to( predict( tenant(energy(consumption.(((Conservative(assumptions(are(made(with(regards(to(hot(water( demand(and(appliances,(lighting(and(tenant(behavior.(((Therefore(this(figure(is(not(so(much(a( target(but(an(abstract(design(tool.((The(fact(also(that(the(3(figures(are(so(different(between( the(flats(shows(the(impact(the(different(lifestyles(have(on(energy(consumption.((( ( ( ( ( ( (

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( Figure(7.4:(Knights(Place(Calculated(vs(Monitored(Energy(Breakdown(in(kWh((June(12<(May( 13)( 8000 Predicted Energy demand Flats A-C (PHPP) Flat C

7000

6000 Flat B

5000 Flat A

4000

UK 'Medium consumption' according to OFGEM Data

3000

2000

1000

0 Heating Hot Water Household Ventilation Electricity

( Figure(7.4(shows(the(calculated(PHPP(energy(against(the(monitored(energy(from(June(12(to( May( 13( in( kWh( providing( a( clear( breakdown( between( heating,( water( and( household( electricity( (sockets,( appliances( and( lights).( ( ( It( can( be( clearly( seen( that( the( biggest( performance( gap( between( the( design( figures( and( in( use( lies( with( household( electricity.( ( As( lighting( loads( were( found( to( be( insignificant( this( is( primarily( down( to( sockets( and( kitchen( appliances(and(tenant(behaviour,(an(area(where(the(design(of(the(building(and(services(has( little(influence.(((Both(Flat(A(and(Flat(C(are(more(than(double(the(design(figure(and(slightly( higher(than(the(OFGEM(data.( Again(it(can(be(seen(Flat(A(in(particular(shows(no(heating(load(at(all;(the(small(energy(load( highlighted(is(simply(fan(power(alone.((The(meter(for(heating(is(a(sub(meter(on(the(electrical( feed( to( the( MVHR( system( that( also( contains( the( electrical( post( heater( battery.( ( Flat( C( is( almost(on(target(with(the(calculated(figure,(which(also(includes(fan(power.((Flat(B(is(almost( double( the( PHPP( design( target( but( still( significantly( less( than( the( medium( consumption( according(to(OFGEM((office(of(gas(&(electricity(markets)(data.((OFGEM(figures(were(provided( to(help(put(the(whole(study(into(a(UK(context.(((

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( Deeper(analysis(of(these(figures(detailed(in(later(sections(found(that(Flat(C(had(a(high(socket( load( which( was( due( to( lifestyle( and( a( high( proportion( of( appliances( running( day( and( night( and(Flat(A(had(a(high(kitchen(and(cooker(load(which(was(due(to(the(tenant(being(a(chef.((( It(was(found(also(found(that(2(of(the(flats(had(higher(hot(water(loads(than(the(design(target( but(still(significantly(less(than(the(OFGEM(data.((The(BPE(study(found((see(section(6)(that(the( solar(systems(were(commissioned(incorrectly(and(the(back(up(immersion(thermostat(was(set( too( high( and( was( impeding( on( the( solar( thermal( efficiency.( ( In( addition( one( of( the( flats( in( question( had( a( very( high( water( consumption( load( (see( section( 7)( due( to( life( style( and( the( summer(

of(

2012(

was(

one(

of(

the(

wettest(

for(

100(

years(

(http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2012/secondAwettestAsummer).(((( Therefore(despite(the(weather(conditions(and(tenant(lifestyle(in(comparison(to(the(OFGEM( data(the(result(could(still(be(said(to(be(positive.((( (( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(7.5:(kWh(sub(meter(results(–(typical(winter(days( th

o

o

nd

((((((((((20 (Jan(Cold(Day((<2 C(<(+4 C)(Energy(Breakdown(

o

o

2 (Jan(Mild(Winter(Day((<3 C(<(+10 C)(Energy(Breakdown(

35.00!

30.00!

30.00!

25.00!

25.00!

20.00!

20.00! 15.00!

kWh(

15.00! 10.00!

10.00!

5.00!

5.00! 0.00!

0.00!

Flat!B!

Flat!C!

Flat!A!

(

Flat!B!

Flat!C!

Flat!A!

Further(analysis(of(these(figures(can(be(seen(in(Figure(7.5(in(the(detailed(energy(breakdown,( which(is(measured(data(in(kWh(from(the(sub(meters.((This(shows(that(Flat(C(had(a(high(socket( load(which(was(due(to(the(tenants’(lifestyle(and(a(high(proportion(of(appliances(running(day( and(night(and(Flat(A(had(a(high(kitchen(and(cooker(load(which(was(due(to(the(tenant(being(a( chef.( ( It( could( be( argued( that,( as( the( flats( had( higher( than( anticipated( household( electrical( consumption( from( sockets( and( appliances,( this( would( have( resulted( in( higher( internal( heat( gains.((Therefore(the(heat(loads(should(have(been(lower(than(the(PHPP(design(figures.(((This( may( have( been( the( case( as( the( winter( 2012( was( extreme,( being( one( of( the( coldest( and( longest(for(more(than(50(years.((This(type(of(weather(scenario(was(not(included(as(part(of(the( original(design(calculation;(a(more(moderate(winter(typical(of(the(South(West(was(included.( It(can(also(be(seen(in(figure(7.5(that(Flat(B(has(a(higher(MVHR(kWh(load.((This(is(the(heating( element( as( the( sub( meter( was( measuring( both( the( MVHR( fan( power( and( the( heating( element.((The(heating(load(in(Flat(B(is(higher(than(the(other(2(flats(on(the(coldest(day(and( also(is(switching(on(during(the(mild(winter’s(day(which(is(not(the(case(for(Flat(A(and(Flat(C.((( This(is(because(Flat(C(keeps(the(windows(opens(throughout(the(winter(period.((( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

( Figure(7.6:(kWh(sub(meter(results(–(warm(day(and(year(one’s(energy(data( st

o

o

((((((((((1 (June(Warm(Day((+7 C(<(+20 C)(Energy(Breakdown( Year(one(data((June(12(<((May(13)(Energy(Breakdown(

16.00!

7000.00!

14.00!

6000.00!

12.00!

5000.00!

10.00!

4000.00!

8.00! 3000.00!

kWh(

6.00!

2000.00!

4.00! 2.00!

1000.00!

0.00!

0.00!

Flat!B! Flat!C! Flat!A!

(

Flat!C!

Flat!A!

Figure(7.6(shows(2(graphs.((The(one(on(the(left(is(an(energy(breakdown(in(kWh(from(the(sub( meters.((As(can(be(expected(heating(is(off(and(water(load(is(also(low(as(the(solar(panel(will(be( doing(the(work.((The(graph(on(the(right(shows(the(yearly(sub(meter(data(for(the(period(from( 1st(June(2012(–(to(31st(May(2013.((Unfortunately(the(occupants(in(Flat(B(moved(out(prior(to( the( full( year( study( and( the( flat( remained( empty( for( some( time( after.( ( This( graph( therefore( concentrates( on( the( comparison( between( Flat( A( and( Flat( C( only.( ( It( shows( that( the( main( energy(load(for(the(year(for(Flat(A(is(from(the(sockets,(cooker,(kitchen(appliances(and(water( and(none(for(heating.((For(Flat(C(the(predominant(load(is(from(sockets,(followed(by(kitchen( appliances(followed(by(water(and(then(heating.((A(DOMEARME(survey(was(carried(out(and(it( found(that(the(occupants(of(Flat(C(had(a(more(energy(intensive(life(style(when(compared(to( the(other(flats.((( ( ( (

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( Figure(7.7:(Flat(C(Socket(load(–(typical(24(hour(profile(

( Figure(7.7(shows(the(socket(load(profile(for(a(typical(day(and(it(was(found(to(have(a(24(hour( base( load( of( 120( Watts,( equivalent( to( £160( a( year( running( costs.( ( The( DOMEARME( survey( discovered(a(large(number(of(appliances(plugged(in.((In(the(living(room(there(was(a(plasma( TV( screen( with( DVD( player( and( recorder,( SKY( box( and( virgin( box( and( there( were( similar( appliances( in( the( bedroom.( ( The( 2( occupants( admitted( to( having( not( very( active( lifestyles,( and(they(watched(TV(up(to(7(hours(a(day(often(in(different(rooms.((They(both(had(tablets,( mobiles,(phones(and(lap(tops(which(were(used(on(a(regular(basis(throughout(the(day.((The( laptop(was(often(used(with(the(TV(running(in(the(background.((The(occupants(also(preferred( to(record(TV(programmes(to(watch(at(their(own(leisure.((This(resulted(in(many(systems(not( running(in(standby(but(on(full(power(even(when(the(TV(was(not(being(watched.((As(part(of( this( study( the( effect( that( their( lifestyle( was( having( on( their( energy( consumption( was( highlighted(to(the(tenants.((( ( ( ( ( (

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7.2

Water

Water(consumption(for(Flats(A(and(B(were(found(to(be(in(line(with(the(design(expectations(of( below( 80( l/s/day/person.( ( Both( flats( containing( 2( people( were( recording( daily( figures( of( between(100(–(160(litres(per(day(and(so(were(mostly(below(the(design(target.(((There(were(a( couple(of(instances(where(the(figure(for(Flat(A(hit(200(litres(day(and(this(coincided(with(peak( heat( wave( days( suggesting( that( the( tenants( were( showering( more( than( normal( due( to( the( hot( weather.( ( Throughout( the( year( both( flats( averaged( well( below( the( design( figure.(((( Unfortunately( at( the( time( of( the( analysis( it( was( not( possible( to( assess( the( full( years( consumption(due(to(issues(with(displaying(a(full(year(in(EMBED(so(only(daily(or(week(snap( shots(could(be(determined.((Nevertheless(a(picture(could(still(be(seen.(( Figure(7.6:(Flat(A(<(Typical(Water(Consumption(Day(

( Flat( C( on( the( other( hand( was( recording( daily( figures( of( 320( litres( a( day( for( 2( people.( ( This( obviously( is( in( excess( of( what( a( normal( household( would( be( using.( ( Interviews( with( the( occupants( stated( that( they( were( not( having( excessively( long( showers( and( they( could( not( understand(it.((South(West(Water(had(attended(the(flat(to(check(for(leaks(and(had(confirmed( that( there( were( none.( ( This( high( water( consumption( however( does( tie( in( with( the( high( electrical( load( found( on( the( electric( immersion( heater( as( can( be( seen( in( figure( 7.4.( ( These( same( occupants( also( have( the( highest( socket( and( appliance( load( suggesting( a( resource( intensive(lifestyle.(( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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7.3

Comfort

7.3.1* Temperature*in*Winter* The(consistency(of(winter(temperature(conditions(in(the(spaces(in(the(flats(was(found(to(be( very( impressive.( ( Temperature( and( comfort( conditions( were( analysed( across( the( winter( period( and( results( detailed( below( show( conditions( for( a( typical( winter’s( day( and( for( an( extreme(cold(winter’s(day(for(the(South(West(area.(( Figure(7.7:(External(Temperature(Profile(for(Extreme(Cold(Winters(Day((<1.7oC(to(<0.4oC)(

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(7.8:(External(Temperature(Profile(for(Average(Winters(Day((1.72oC(to(8.0oC)(

( Figure(7.9:(Flat(A(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(on(a(Cold(Winters(Day((<1.7oC(to(<0.4oC)(

( Figure(7.9(shows(Flat(A(temperature(levels(on(the(cold(winter’s(day(scenario.((Throughout(the( 24( hour( period( the( temperature( range( is( consistently( between( 19.5( –( 21.5oC( and( this( is( without(any(heating.((This(flat(does(not(engage(the(post(heater(battery(and(the(temperature( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( stat( on( the( wall( is( set( to( frost( mode.( ( The( pink( line( in( the( figure( is( fan( power( only.( ( This( consistency(and(stability(of(temperature(was(found(throughout(the(winter(period.( Flat(C(was(also(found(to(be(consistent(with(internal(temperature(conditions(also.((Figure(7.10( shows(the(temperature(profile(across(the(average(winter’s(day(scenario.((The(pink(line(is(the( MVHR(system(and(the(heater(battery(switching(on(can(be(seen(for(a(short(period(at(about( 05:00(am(and(this(is(the(only(time(it(enables(throughout(the(24(hour(period.(( Figure(7.10:(Flat(C(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(on(Average(Winters(Day((1.72oC(to(8.0oC)(

( In( some( instances,( a( temperature( difference( of( 2<3oC,( between( bedroom( and( living( room( temperatures,(was(observed(in(Flat(C(during(extreme(cold(days((see(figure(7.11).((The(living( room( was( at( 20oC( whereas( the( bedroom( recorded( temperatures( of( 18oC.( ( ( This( difference( was(not(anticipated(as(it(was(expected(that,(with(the(highly(insulated(envelope(design,(the( flats(would(be(more(uniform(in(temperature(even(between(rooms.(((One(of(the(reasons(for( the(higher(temperatures(in(the(living(room(is(due(to(the(occupants(being(at(home(during(the( day( and( using( the( living( rooms( more( than( the( bedrooms,( contributing( heat( gains( from( not( only( themselves( but( also( from( the( home( entertainment( systems( they( use( as( part( of( their( sedentary( lifestyle.( ( Bedrooms,( however,( were( mainly( empty( during( the( day( with( little( internal( heat( gain.( ( The( occupants( of( Flat( C( did( record( the( fact( that( they( would( like( more( control(of(their(heating(and(higher(bedroom(temperatures(when(it(got(cold(outside.(((

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( This(issue(was(investigated(further(and(the(balance(of(using(electrical(air(heating(elements(in( the( supply( air( stream( of( MVHR( systems( was( researched( as( part( of( the( analysis( of( the( temperature( data( loggers.( ( A( paper( was( produced( entitled( ‘MVHR# Efficiency# Monitoring# Passivhaus# Knights# Place’# which( provides( the( details( of( this( investigation.( ( Following( the( feedback(from(the(occupants(it(was(decided(to(install(a(small(panel(heater(in(the(living(room( and( one( in( the( bedroom.( ( With( this( system( the( occupants( now( rely( less( on( the( air( heating( system( and( have( more( zonal( control( between( the( living( room( and( bedroom( during( cold( winter(extremes.(( Figure(7.11:(Flat(C(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(on(a(Cold(Winters(Day((<1.7oC(to(<0.4oC)(

( Once( the( heater( panels( were( installed( in( Flat( C( the( temperature( conditions( were( reviewed( again(on(a(cold(winter’s(day.((The(following(graphs((figures(7.12(&(7.13)(provide(the(details(of( what(was(observed.((For(both(cold(days(it(can(be(seen(that(the(MVHR(heater(is(switched(off( and(the(heater(panels(via(the(sockets(switch(on(intermittently,(mainly(during(the(evening.((A( temperature(rise(in(response(to(the(heater(panels(switching(on(is(also(observed.((Occupants( reported( that( they( were( happier( with( this( system( as( they( could( feel( the( heat( quicker( in( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( response(to(their(actions.((This(is(the(opposite(to(what(was(being(observed(with(the(MVHR(air( heater(in(this(particular(flat(on(a(cold(winter’s(day(as(can(be(seen(from(Figure(7.11.( Flat(B(was(found(not(to(be(as(consistent(in(temperature(as(the(other(2(flats(but(as(this(flat( open(opens(windows(day(and(night(throughout(winter(this(is(to(be(expected.( Figure(7.12:(Cold(day(1(Temperature(and(heater(profile(Flat(C((<1oC(to(+5.69oC)(

( Figure(7.13:(Cold(day(1(Temperature(and(heater(profile(Flat(C((+1.88oC(to(+6.5oC)(

#

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7.3.2* Temperature*in*Summer* Summer( conditions( have( been( equally( impressive.( ( The( winter( of( 2012( was( long( and( cold,( which(was(in(stark(contrast(to(the(summer(of(2013,(which(included(a(prolonged(heat(wave(in( the(UK(where(temperatures(exceeded(30oC(in(Devon.((This(made(it(an(ideal(year(for(this(level( of( monitoring.( ( The( design( criteria( of( ensuring( optimum( comfort( conditions( during( the( summer(appeared(to(be(working.((These(design(criteria(included:( •

Super(insulated(design(to(keep(solar(gain(out(

•

Optimum( window( ratios( to( balance( good( levels( of( daylight( and( good( levels( of( solar( gain(in(winter(with(not(too(solar(gain(during(summer((

•

High(levels(of(thermal(mass(to(assist(in(night(cooling(and(to(stabilise(temperatures(

•

Window( openings( on( 2( facades( of( the( building( in( each( flat( to( enable( cross( flow( ventilation(((

•

Set(overheating(criteria(to(not(exceed(( o 26oC(for(more(than(1%(of(the(year((CIBSE(Guide(A)( o 25oC(for(more(than(10%(of(the(year((PHI)(

Figure(7:14(provides(details(of(the(design(summer(year(weather(file(that(was(used(during(the( design(process.(( At(the(time(of(the(analysis(the(occupants(of(flat(B(had(moved(out(so(the(summer(time(study( concentrated(on(flats(A(and(flat(C.((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(7.14:(Design(summer(year(weather(file(

( ( Figure(7.15:(Recorded(external(air(temperatures(–(hot(summer(period(July(2013(

( It(can(be(seen(comparing(figures(7.14(with(7.15(that(the(summer(period(of(2013(exceeded( the(design(weather(file(that(was(used(to(design(the(building.((This(weather(file(was(used(in( the(both(the(IES(software(and(PHPP(design(tool.(( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( ( Figure(7.16:(Flat(A(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(During(Hot(Summer(July(Week(

( Figure( 7.17( shows( internal( temperature( conditions( for( Flat( A( during( the( highest( heat( wave( week(in(July(2013(when(external(temperatures(peaked(at(31.4oC.(((The(temperatures(in(Flat(A( did(not(exceed(26oC(for(more(than(1%(of(the(time.((This(is(excellent,(as(the(design(did(not( allow(for(this(kind(of(weather(scenario(when(designing(and(assessing(for(overheating.(((( Results(for(Flat(C(were(also(good,(although(not(quite(as(good(as(for(Flat(A;(they(showed(that( internal(conditions(were(exceeding(26oC(by(2.43%(of(the(time.((This(was(due(to:( •

The(occupants(not(opening(windows(at(night(to(stop(their(cat(getting(out(

•

Flat(C(having(a(higher(proportion(of(south(facing(glazing(and(roof(lights(than(Flat(A(

•

The(tenants(not(having(blinds(on(the(roof(lights;(blinds(can(reduce(some(solar(gain(

( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( ( Figure(7.17:(Flat(C(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(During(Hot(Summer(July(Week(

( ( Taking( this( into( consideration( it( shows( that( these( internal( conditions( could( have( been( improved( upon.( ( Both( sets( of( occupants( were( interviewed( with( regard( to( the( summer( extreme( and( neither( set( had( complaints( about( their( summer( comfort( conditions.( ( This( was( also(found(in(the(BUS(questionnaire(where(summer(conditions(were(found(to(be(comfortable( by( all( occupants.( ( This( also( shows( that( occupants( are( adaptable( to( summer( conditions( and( can( tolerate( higher( internal( temperatures( when( conditions( are( warmer( outside.(((( Nevertheless(it(was(decided(to(investigate(flat(C(further(to(determine(whether(these(internal( conditions(could(have(been(improved(on.(((( Table(7.1:(Summertime(overheating(number(of(hours(exceeding(25(&(26oC(1st(Jan(–(31st(Dec( 2013( * Flat*

o

Percentage*of*hours*>*26 C* CIBSE*Guide*A*criteria* Recorded*conditions*

o

Percentage*of*hours*>*25 C* PHI*Criteria*

Recorded*conditions*

Flat(A((

1%(

0.43%(

10%(

2.6%(

Flat(C((

!%(

2.43%(

10%(

8.6%(

(

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( Table(7.1(shows(the(actual(summertime(overheating(results(when(compared(against(the(PHI( and(CIBSE(design(criteria.((Comparing(to(the(PHI(criteria(it(can(clearly(be(seen(that(both(flats( are(within(the(10%(overheating(limit.((This(is(an(excellent(result(considering(that(Flat(C(does( not(have(a(very(effective(ventilation(strategy(and(also(the(heat(wave(weather(extreme,(which( is( beyond( the( design( weather( file.( ( This( clearly( shows( that( the( strategy( of( high( mass( with( night( cooling,( cross( flow( ventilation,( and( super( insulated( envelope( to( keep( solar( gain( out( works( with( a( PHI( certified( building.( ( The( BUS( results( also( recorded( positive( comfort( conditions( during( the( summer( period( and( the( survey( was( carried( out( no( long( after( the( summer( heat( wave.( ( Further( analysis( on( this( and( the( weather( files( use( can( be( found( in( section(7.(( Figure( 7.18( below( provide( details( of( the( peak( external( temperatures( during( the( day( and( at( night.( ( It( can( be( seen( that( even( during( the( hottest( day( period( of( 31.4oC( there( is( a( corresponding(night(temperature(of(16.5oC.((This(is(sufficient(temperature(difference(to(drive( a(night(cooling(strategy.((3(of(the(nights(throughout(the(heat(wave(period(drop(to(13.0oC.(( ( Figure(7.18:(Recorded(day(&(night(temperatures(–(hot(summer(period(July(2013(

( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( Figure(7.19:(Flat(C(Temperatures(&(CO2(ppm(–(hot(summer(day(July(2013(

( It( can( be( seen( from( figure( 7.19( that( the( CO2( levels( spikes( at( night( in( the( bedroom( thus( suggesting(that(the(windows(are(shut.((The(external(air(temperature(is(16.5oC(and(thus(with( this(temperature(differential(between(inside(and(outside(should(have(sufficient(driving(force( to(help(cool(the(mass(down(at(night(if(the(windows(were(open.((The(bedroom(temperature(at( night(sits(just(below(26oC(also(suggesting(the(windows(are(shut.((( Figure(7.20:(Flat(C(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(During(Normal(Summer(Week(

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( Figure(7.20(shows(temperature(conditions(in(Flat(C(during(a(normal(summer(week((external( temperatures( 25oC).( ( Internal( mean( temperature( conditions( were( below( 25oC( highlighting( that(highly(insulated(envelopes(can(maintain(comfortable(conditions(during(the(summer.((( Figure(7.21:(Flat(B(Internal(Temperature(Conditions(During(Hot(Summer(July(Week(

( Flat(B(was(also(assessed(during(the(heat(wave(period.((The(tenants(had(moved(out(and(the( MVHR(system(was(left(running.(((This(provided(an(opportunity(to(assess(how(well(the(MVHR( system( would( cope( at( controlling( temperature( conditions( with( no( natural( ventilation( via( opening(windows.((The(following(can(be(observed(in(Figure(7.20:( •

The(peaks(and(troughs(are(not(so(dramatic(as(a(naturally(ventilated(flat((

•

The(mean(and(maximum(temperatures(are(higher(than(Flat(B(

•

Internal(temperature(conditions(continue(to(climb(even(when(external(temperatures( begin(to(fall(

If( this( flat( was( also( to( include( internal( gains( from( people( and( equipment( then( it( would( technically(be(in(an(overheating(scenario.((The(air(change(rate(via(the(MVHR(system(needs(to( be(increased(to(compete(with(natural(ventilation.((The(MVHR(system(is(operating(at(0.4(air( changes(per(hour(whereas(natural(ventilation(can(typically(be(anything(between(0.5(to(5(air( changes(per(hour(sometimes(higher(depending(on(window(control(and(weather(conditions.((( The( MVHR( can( be( used( in( a( mixed( mode( approach( to( provide( some( secure( night( time( ventilation( or( when( external( air( temperatures( are( higher( than( internal( space( temperatures( they(can(provide(the(minimum(fresh(air(requirement(and(windows(can(be(closed.(( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

7.3.3* CO2*and*Air*Quality* The(main(emphasis(of(assessing(C02(levels(was(to(determine(how(the(bedrooms(performed(at( night(when(1(or(2(people(were(guaranteed(to(be(present(in(the(room(for(a(prolonged(period.(( Analysis(of(the(results(found(CO2(levels(in(the(flats(to(have(mean(levels(of(800(–(1000(ppm( with( peaks( of( up( to( 1200( <( 1400( ppm( at( night( during( very( cold( winter( periods.( ( This( was( higher( than( initially( expected( when( comparing( with( the( standards( found( in( 1.1.2( but( upon( further(analysis(it(found(these(levels(to(be(relatively(reasonable(for(an(occupied(bedroom(at(( Figure(7.22:(Flat(C(CO2(ppm(during(winter(2012<13(

( Figure(7.22(shows(the(CO2(levels(in(flat(C(over(the(first(winter(period.((The(mean(throughout( the( period( is( 833( ppm( with( a( maximum( peak( of( 1402( ppm.( ( ( ( Figure( 7.18( for( flat( A( shows( higher(concentrations(of(CO2(than(flat(A(which(incidentally(is(a(smaller(flat((one(bedroom)(but( with( 2( people( living( in( it( as( per( flat( C.( ( Mean( CO2( is( 958( –( 1006( ppm( with( peaks( at( 1360( –( 1674(ppm.(((Figure(7.19(shows(CO2(levels(against(external(temperature(in(flat(B(for(the(same( winter( period,( mean( CO2( is( 500( –( 580( ppm( with( peaks( at( 950( –( 1208( ppm.( ( ( This( flat( also( opens(windows(in(winter.((( (

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( Figure(7.23:(Flat(C(CO2(ppm(during(winter(2012<13(

( Unfortunately(reliable(data(could(not(be(obtained(from(EMBED(for(flat(B(at(the(time(of(the( analysis(for(the(winter(period(so(a(summer(time(graph(was(plotted(–(see(figure(7.24:( Figure(7.24:(Flat(B(CO2(ppm(&(Temperature(winter(2012<13(

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( The(fact(that(the(flats(are(so(small(also(exaggerates(the(CO2(concentrations(as(can(be(seen(in( Flat(C.((If(the(flats(were(increased(in(size(but(the(number(of(wet(rooms(remained(the(same( the( CO2( ppm( count( will( reduce( with( the( larger( volume( inside( the( flat( to( dissipate( the( C02( levels.( ( It( has( been( recognized( for( some( time( now( that( the( UK( construction( industry( build( homes(with(less(floor(area(than(the(equivalent(on(the(continent.((In(addition(under(Part(F,( flat(A(was(commissioned(to(the(same(air(volume(a(flat(C(despite(the(fact(that(is(smaller.(((Flat( C(also(has(a(greater(volume(as(it(has(a(higher(floor(to(ceiling(height(being(built(into(the(roof.((( This(study(found(that(to(achieve(air(quality(levels(as(detailed(in(relevant(standards(between( 600( –( 1000( ppm( at( night( in( flats( that( are( small( and( compact( the( following( is( could( be( the( result:( •

Relative(humidity(is(could(to(drop(as(low(as(30%rh(as(more(air(will(require(heating(

•

MVHR(fan(noise(will(increase((

•

Additional(fan(power(energy(consumption((although(likely(to(be(small)(

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

7.3.4* Humidity* Humidity(results(have(been(very(positive(in(Flat(A(and(Flat(C(with(both(flats(rarely(dropping( below(40%(RH((relative(humidity)(and(rarely(exceeding(60%(RH.((Flat(B(on(the(other(hand(has( seen( RH( levels( drop( as( low( as( 30%( in( winter,( which( is( probably( due( to( the( windows( being( open( in( winter.( ( This( cold( air( load( in( addition( to( the( air( supply( from( the( MVHR( system( requires(additional(heating,(which(in(turn(creates(a(higher(volume(of(dry(air(in(the(flat.((It(also( highlights( that( if( MVHR( air( volumes( were( increased( to( reduce( CO2( levels( then( relative( humidity(would(also(drop(to(levels(deemed(uncomfortable.(((During(this(study(another(flat(at( Knights( Place,( reported( a( heating( problem( and( it( was( decided( to( increase( the( MVHR( air( volume( to( enable( more( heat.( ( Unfortunately( the( breakout( noise( also( increased( from( the( MVHR(system(and(out(of(the(grilles.((The(occupant(did(not(find(this(acceptable,(as(they(had( already( been( accustomed( to( a( certain( noise( level( within( the( flat.( ( This( highlighted( that( increasing( air( volumes( in( this( manner( would( not( be( an( option( unless( the( tenants( found( air( quality(unacceptable.((( Figure(7.25:(Flat(C(CO2(&(RH(levels(during(cold(winter(month(

( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( ( Figure(7.26:(Flat(A(CO2(&(RH(levels(during(cold(winter(month(

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( (

7.4

Conclusions and Key Findings for this Section

This(assessment(of(energy(and(comfort(conditions(has(found(the(following:(

7.4.1* Energy* Heating( energy( consumption( is( meeting( the( design( criteria.( ( Flat( A( uses( no( heating,( Flat( B( slightly(exceeds(the(design(figures(but(opens(windows(throughout(winter(and(Flat(C(is(very( similar( to( the( design( figures.( ( Hot( water( consumption( for( 2( flats( is( higher( than( the( design( figure,( which( is( likely( a( result( of( poor( summer( year( and( poor( solar( and( hot( water( commissioning.((When(compared(to(EMBED(data(the(figures(are(still(good.((( The(one(area(that(is(amiss(is(the(socket(and(appliance(loads,(which(are(outside(the(influence( of(design(and(are(more(due(to(occupant(behaviour(and(lifestyle.(((Energy(consumption(from( socket(and(appliances(for(all(3(flats(is(beyond(the(predicted(energy(demand.((Consumption( for(Flat(C,(in(particular,(is(more(than(3(times(the(predicted(figure.((It(was(expected(that(this( would(reduce(the(heating(energy(in(Flat(C(and(it(is(possible(that(this(is(highlighting(a(small( flaw(in(the(design(methodology(of(using(PHPP(for(a(block(of(flats.((Applying(15(kWh/m2(is(an( average( across( the( floor( space( and( is( not( reflected( in( reality( in( each( flat.( ( If( Flat( B( uses( no( heating( energy( than( this( heat( loss( is( likely( to( be( realised( in( another( flat,( which( will( have( a( higher(heat(loss(to(balance(out(the(heat(loss(figure(across(the(all(the(flats.((( The(heat(loss(calculation(in(SAP(provided(a(different(heat(loss(result(for(Flat(A(<(184(kWh/yr( when(compared(to(Flat(C(which(was(721(kWh/yr.((The(winter(conditions(for(the(period(also( have( to( be( considered( as( they( were( the( longest( and( coldest( for( more( than( 50( years.( ( ( This( naturally(will(increase(heating(energy(consumption(when(compared(to(the(predicted(figures( as(this(winter(extreme(was(not(included(in(the(calculations.((((

7.4.2* Water* Water( consumption( for( flats( A( and( B( were( found( to( be( within( design( limits,( but( water( consumption(in(Flat(C(exceed(the(design(limits(and(on(some(days(was(more(than(double.((The( reason(for(this(is(not(clear(and(it(is(being(investigated(further.((The(occupants(in(this(flat(do( have(the(highest(socket(and(appliance(loads(highlighting(a(resource(intensive(life(style.(((

7.4.3* Comfort** Comfort(conditions(–(temperature(and(humidity(were(found(to(be(stable(and(impressive(for( Flat(A(and(Flat(B.((Flat(C(struggled(to(optimise(the(MVHR(air(heater(during(the(coldest(days,( and( this( was( because( of( lack( of( zoning( control( and( the( system( not( being( very( responsive.(( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( This( was( easily( rectified( by( installing( a( small( wall( panel( heater( in( the( bedroom( and( living( room.(((Relative(humidity(levels(never(dropped(below(40%(RH(in(winter(for(both(flats.((Flat(B( on(the(other(hand(was(less(stable(in(temperature(as(windows(were(open(through(out(winter( and(although(the(heating(energy(was(higher(than(the(predicted(figures(as(a(result(of(this,(the( figures(were(still(impressive.((At(the(same(time(relative(humidity(levels(dropped(to(30%(RH( during(certain(periods(but(these(conditions(were(few(and(far(between.((( During(the(heat(wave(period(of(the(2013(summer(comfort(conditions(were(found(to(be(very( good( for( both( flats( analysed( Flat( A( and( Flat( C.( ( Despite( the( weather( temperature( profile( exceeding( the( design( weather( file( both( flats( were( still( within( the( PHI( summertime( overheating(criteria(of(not(exceeding(25oC(for(more(than(10%(of(the(year.((((Flat(C(could(have( been(better(had(they(opened(windows(more(during(the(summer(especially(at(night,(however,( the(occupants(preferred(to(keep(them(shut(because(of(their(cat.((In(both(flats(it(showed(that( natural( ventilation( in( a( super( insulated( envelope( with( high( mass( can( work( at( maintaining( stable(summer(temperatures(even(during(heat(waves.((If(future(climate(changes(scenarios(as( predicted( by( the( IPCC( (intergovernmental( panel( on( climate( change)( occur( which( could( typically( be( between( 2<4oC( this( research( has( shown( that( current( design( summer( years( will( need(to(be(updated(to(reflect(this.((( CO2( levels( were( initially( thought( to( be( high( but( upon( further( reflection( though( to( be( reasonable(for(small(compact(flats.((Any(increases(may(result(in(drier(RH(conditions(or(noisier( operating(MVHR(plant.((Further(investigation(about(keeping(CO2(levels(to(an(acceptable(level( in(small(compact(flats(is(recommended.(((( (

7.5

How would these results influence future designs

The(results(that(have(been(observed(from(this(sections’(monitoring(exercise(would(influence( future(social(housing(PHI(designs(in(the(following(ways:( •

The( heater( battery( would( not( be( part( of( the( MVHR( system;( any( heating( required( would(be(small(and(simple(but(separated(out(from(the(MVHR(system.(

•

If(roof(lights(are(to(be(used(than(blinds(should(be(fitted(and(provided.(

•

Keep(heating,(vent(and(hot(water(controls(simple(and(user(friendly((

•

Ensure(that(robust(and(quality(windows(are(installed(

•

Do( not( raise( tenant( expectations( too( high( –( provide( them( with( a( range( of( realistic( energy(patterns(based(on(different(user(lifestyles((

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8 Other technical issues (

(

8.1

Energy and Comfort

The(study(has(found(that(the(buildings’(energy(and(comfort(performance(is(in(line(with(design( predictions.( ( Measured( heating( and( hot( water( energy( performance( has( been( as( calculated( and(in(2(of(the(3(flats(water(performance(has(met(the(design(calculations.((The(3rd(flat,(which( has( higher( water( consumption,( also( has( a( high( socket( and( appliance( load( highlighting( a( lifestyle,(which(uses(more(energy(and(water(in(comparison(to(the(other(flats.((( Socket( and( appliance( loads( were( higher( in( the( flats( than( predicted( as( energy( rated( A+( appliances( had( been( assumed.( ( In( addition( some( lifestyles( are( becoming( more( energy( intensive,(as(discovered(in(Flat(C.((It(is(important(therefore(that(energy(expectations(are(not( raised(too(high(as(designers(will(have(less(influence(on(the(energy(habits(of(the(occupants,( whereas(education(and(training(will(have(more(impact.((Once(the(occupants(were(presented( with(the(facts(and(the(energy(graphs(detailed(herein(they(were(more(accepting(of(the(role( that(they(had(to(play(when(it(came(to(energy(consumption.((( (

8.2

(

Air Quality

C02(levels(were(slightly(higher(than(anticipated(and(they(were(commissioned(in(line(with(Part( F(of(the(building(regulations,(but(they(had(included(a(4%(infiltration(volume.((For(an(air(tight( dwelling(it(is(questionable(as(to(whether(this(should(be(included;(if(not(a(slightly(higher(air( volume(would(be(commissioned.((CO2(levels(measured(in(parts(per(million(in(small(compact( flats(are(also(going(to(look(higher(when(compared(to(larger(volume(dwellings.((An(interesting( study(now(would(be(to(see(how(these(results(compare(to(a(naturally(ventilated(dwelling(in( winter,(which(relies(on(occupants(opening(windows(when(it(is(cold.((( It(was(also(found(that(RH(levels(during(winter(were(typically(at(40<50%(RH.((Any(increase(in( air( volume,( carried( out( to( improve( air( quality( in( one( area( may( reduce( RH( levels( to( a( level( deemed(uncomfortable.((( Further(investigation(is(required(to(establish(the(optimum(air(volume(for(both(CO2(levels(and( RH(levels(in(compact(flats.((( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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8.3

The MVHR System

The( study( highlighted( that( air( volumes( had( changed( over( time( and( that( seasonal( commissioning(and(rechecks(after(hand(over(are(essential(for(dwellings(with(MVHR(systems.((( The(study(also(found(that(some(occupants(complained(of(dust(settling(on(surfaces,(more(than( they(had(previously(been(used(to,(and(generally(being(more(apparent.((As(this(feedback(came( from( more( than( one( occupant( it( was( investigated( briefly.( ( It( had( not( been( anticipated( that( dust(would(be(an(issue(as(the(air(is(being(filtered.((Some(reasons(for(this(may(include:( •

The( supply( air( passing( over( the( metal( heating( element( and( filter( is( creating( more( negative(ions(in(the(atmosphere.((More(negative(ions(attract(dust(to(settle(more(on( surfaces(and(it(becomes(more(noticeable.((((

•

The( opposite( to( the( above( could( be( happening( and( an( excess( of( positive( ions( are( being(generated(via(the(MVHR(system.((This(would(result(in(more(dust(floating(in(the( air( in( each( room( rather( than( settling( on( surfaces.( ( Negative( ions( neutralise( dust( particles(electrically(causing(them(to(fall(to(the(floor.(((

•

The( flats( contain( hard( floors( and( wall( surfaces;( there( may( not( be( more( dust( in( any( other(properties,(it(may(be(simply(more(noticeable(with(carpets.(

( Another( consideration( is( that( low( RH( conditions( in( offices( are( said( to( result( in( more( static( charge(build(up.((The(further(this(matter(was(investigated(it(became(apparent(that(this(was(a( research(project(in(itself.((( If( the( ultimate( aim( of( using( MVHR( systems( in( the( home( is( a( low( energy( and( healthy( environment( then( how( they( affect( the( negative/positive( ion( balance( in( the( home( requires( further(research.((((Studies(have(found(that(an(excess(of(negative(ions(in(the(atmosphere(can( improve( the( general( well<being( and( health( and( help( remove( contaminants( in( air( that( is( breathed.((If(this(is(proven(to(be(the(case(than(MVHR(systems(could(be(fitted(with(negative( ion(generators(to(assist(with(this.((( (

8.4

Solar System

The(hot(water(cylinders(were(found(to(be(poorly(commissioned(and(this(was(corrected(once( it(became(apparent.(((Had(they(not(been(corrected(it(would(have(led(to(poor(solar(thermal( performance.((There(appeared(to(be(no(paperwork(to(show(the(commissioning(process(for( the(solar(system(and(nothing(was(required(under(building(control.((( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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8.5

Windows

A(weakness(was(observed(with(the(windows.((The(windows(installed(were(designed(to(open( inwards(and(2(issues(were(associated(with(this.(((The(first(one(was,(when(opened(to(a(trickle( mode( setting( there( was( no( catch( to( hold( them( in( place( and( at( times( the( wind( pressure( differences(would(close(them.((A(simple(hold(open(catch(would(have(resolved(this(issue.(((The( other(issue(was(the(window(being(inward(opening.((On(the(continent(this(is(common(practise( and(has(the(advantage(that(windows(become(easier(to(clean(and(manage.((Plus(they(can(be( opened( and( external( slatted( shutters( can( be( closed,( completely( shutting( down( solar( gain( during(peak(periods(but(still(allowing(air(movement.(((Some(of(the(tenants(at(Knights(Place( had( filled( their( window( cills( with( plants( and( ornaments( or( installed( curtains( in( a( manner( which( made( window( operation( difficult( especially( when( required( during( summer( periods.((( Better(summertime(overheating(education(and(training(may(have(helped(with(this(issue.( (

8.6

Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR)

The(flats(were(designed(to(limit(EMR(via(good(electrical(circuit,(lighting(and(switching(design.(( Unfortunately(funding(was(obtained(from(the(TSB(for(the(study(after(handover;(this(meant( that( a( wired( sensor( and( monitoring( solution( was( not( an( option.( ( It( would( have( been( too( disruptive(and(expensive.((To(meet(the(TSB(requirements,(the(study(therefore(went(down(the( wi<fi(/(transmitter(path.((( An( EMR( study( was( carried( out( in( a( similar( scheme( called( Rowan( House,( which( was( also( subject(to(similar(BPE(monitoring(funded(by(the(TSB.((This(study(found(that(the(use(of(high( frequency( transmitters( for( BPE( monitoring( and( wi<fi( technologies( in( homes( that( cannot( be( switched(off(at(night(has(increased(the(levels(of(radio(frequency(radiation((RFR)(in(the(flats.((( Due( to( the( high( levels( of( RFR( being( produced( it( is( recommend( that( further( studies( are( undertaken(to(review(the(use(of(this(type(of(equipment(in(dwellings(that(generate(high(levels( of(RFR(as(these(are(beyond(those(recommended(by(Baubiologie(for(night(time(periods.((It(is( recommended( that( the( use( of( wireless( monitoring( equipment( for( building( monitoring( is( reviewed( by( the( TSB.( ( ( ( Further( details( on( this( study( can( be( found( in( the( G&S( paper( ‘TSB# Rowan#House#EMR#Study’.((( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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8.7

Other Technical Issues - Conclusions and key findings

Key( findings( have( found( the( following( to( be( important( considerations( for( limiting( the( performance(gap(between(design(and(reality:( •

Educating( occupants( moving( into( low( energy( dwellings,( highlighting( the( energy( balance( between( their( own( behaviour( and( the( design( of( the( building.( ( Also( not( to( raise(expectations(too(high.(

•

Further(education(into(occupant(behaviour(and(how(to(maximise(comfort(conditions( during(summer(periods(

•

Correct( air( volume( commissioning( and( fine( tuning( of( MVHR( systems( one( year( after( handover(

•

Correct(procedures(and(documentation(required(for(commissioning(solar(systems.(((

•

Further( research( is( required( into( optimum( air( volumes( to( ensure( the( right( balance( between(CO2(and(relative(humidity(

•

Further(research(is(required(into(how(MVHR(systems(can(affect(the(negative/positive( ion(exchange(in(the(environment((

( ( ( ( (

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9 Key messages for the client, owner and occupier (

9.1

Design and Construction

The(design(for(Knights(Place(has(followed(the(exacting(energy(standard(from(the(Passivhaus( Institute( and( has( achieved( PHI( certification.( ( This( is( a( remarkable( achievement( considering( during(the(design(and(construction(process(back(in(2009(there(were(no(such(multi(residential( social(housing(schemes(in(the(UK(such(as(this(that(were(constructed(to(meet(the(Passivhaus( Certified(standard.((It(was(the(first(time(the(design(team(had(designed(to(the(PHI(standard( and(the(first(time(the(contractor(had(built(to(it.(((Today(there(are(a(few(more(PHI(buildings(in( the(UK(and(more(awareness.((((( The( scheme( had( its( challenges,( in( particular,( on( site( with( the( severe( winter( of( 2010( not( helping(matters(but(despite(this(it(passed(the(PHI(certification.(((( Following( the( PHI( design( methodology( has( proven( to( be( a( robust( system( to( deliver( low( energy(buildings(and(eliminate(the(design(performance(gap.((Throughout(the(design(process( an( enormous( amount( was( learnt( by( the( team.( ( In( addition( this( monitoring( has( provided( valuable(feedback(as(to(which(areas(require(further(fine(tuning(to(ensure(even(more(efficient( occupant(operation.((( Design* If(membranes(are(used(for(air(tightness(then(only(the(best(quality(air(tight(products(are(used.((The(use(of(less( expensive(/(inferior(products(needs(to(be(carefully(considered.( As(the(DPM(layer,(which(helped(form(the(air(tightness(barrier(at(floor(level,(got(damaged,(by(various(trades( during(construction,(this(floor(detail(for(future(projects(has(been(changed(to(reduce(this.( Ideally(it(is(better(to(avoid(dormer(windows(in(the(design,(unless(a(planning(requirement,(as(they(are(difficult( to(design(thermal(bridge(free.( More(robust(design(detailing(of(MVHR(air(tight(ductwork(systems.( Separating(out(heating(from(MVHR(system(for(better(occupant(control(and(understanding(and(operation.( Include( for( seasonal( commissioning( and( fine( tuning( of( energy( systems( after( hand( over( in( particular( MVHR( systems.( Ensuring(M&E(contractors(install(simple(to(operate(controllers.( Include(for(some(form(of(energy(and(comfort(monitoring(for(new(schemes(that(are(different(to(this(one.( Include(for(a(clerk(of(works(who(is(trained(by(a(professional(clerk(of(works(institution(and(has(understanding( of(Passivhaus(to(help(check(key(elements(on(site.(

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( From(a(construction(point(of(view(key(lessons(are(as(follows:( Construction** Ensure(that(key(sub(contractors(understand(the(PHI(specification(and(airtightness(requirements(and(that(they( are(simply(not(just(working(from(the(bill(of(quantities.((( Allow(for(sufficient(air(tightness(training(of(all(key(sub(contractors( Allow(for(sufficient(air(permeability(checks(at(key(stages(during(construction( Ensure(key(trades(understand(clearly(the(air(tightness(strategy(and(drawing(details.((( Ensure(PHI(checks,(air(tightness(checks(and(tests(and(training((is(all(included(in(the(construction(programme.( Understand(clearly(the(air(tightness(strategy(and(thermal(build(strategy(as(it(will(not(be(a(scheme(that(can(be( built(in(similar(manner(to(a(traditional(UK(build.((Construction(activities(may(require(a(different(timescale(and( sequence(of(activities(and(will(require(to(be(programmed(in(appropriately.(( Do(not(take(unnecessary(risks(with(weather(when(building(with(mass(–(sequence(to(get(a(roof(on(or(weather( protected(as(soon(as(possible(especially(when(approaching(mid(winter.((( Allow(sufficient(time(for(commissioning(MVHR(systems.((If(squeezed(in(on(the(last(day(when(trades(are(still( coming(in(and(out(of(the(property(it(will(make(commissioning(particularly(challenging.( When(pricing(the(scheme,(ensure(at(the(outset(that(the(PHI(design(and(air(tightness(specification(aspects(of( the(scheme(are(clearly(understood(and(the(contractor(does(not(simply(price(on(the(bill(of(quantities(without( referring(to(drawing(details(and(specifications.((

(

9.2

Pre and Post Handover Training

It( was( thought( that( sufficient( training( was( provided( at( the( outset( to( occupants( and( the( maintenance(team(at(ECC.((This(was(followed(up(by(additional(training(and(workshops(during( the(year(after(handover(for(the(occupants.((The(BPE(project(also(contributed(further(training.(( The(occupants(were(also(provided(with(a(simple(user(guide(by(ECC.((The(training,(however,( was(at(the(project(outset(and(within(the(first(year(of(handover.((Future(tenants(in(years(to( come(and(when(staff(has(turned(over(at(ECC,(may(not(receive(this(level(of(training.(((It(is(also( not(clear(how(ECC(maintenance(sub(contractors(are(trained(when(they(are(appointed.((( Current(maintenance(regimes(as(with(most(organisations(rely(on(information(made(available( in(the(O&M(manual,(which(is(developed(by(the(main(and(M&E(contractor(toward(the(end(of( the( project.( ( Its( tends( to( be( large( and( cumbersome( and( covering( more( information( than( is( required.((Whilst(the(tenants(obtain(a(simple(user(guide,(a(simple(maintenance(strategy(and( guide(is(not(produced.(((One(of(the(findings(of(this(research(identifies(this(as(a(key(area(that( requires(further(research(and(development.((There(is(a(lot(of(emphasis(on(producing(design( specifications,( drawings( and( details( to( build( to,( but( less( emphasis( on( producing( documentation( on( maintaining( and( looking( after( buildings.( ( Any( maintenance( strategy( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( developed( needs( also( to( be( specific( to( any( particular( organisation( and( their( methods( of( operation(and(building(stock(they(are(in(charge(of.((( One( recommendation,( is( to( produce( simple( videos/DVDs( are( made( for( occupants( and( maintenance(contractors(to(watch,(in(addition(to(any(training,(that(covers(key(elements(such( as:( •

The(PHI(design(in(general(and(basic(concepts((

•

Use(of(windows(for(summer(ventilation(control(and(to(limit(over(heating,(explaining( day(and(night(cooling(strategies(

•

The(operation(of(the(MVHR(system(and(filter(renewal(and(air(quality(

•

The(operation(of(the(heating(system(

•

The(operation(of(the(solar(hot(water(and(immersion(back(up(

•

Energy(–(in(particular(socket(and(appliance(use(and(the(impact(this(can(have(on(bills(

(

9.3

Comfort / Air Quality

The(BUS(survey(found(that(occupants(are(generally(happy(with(comfort(conditions(in(winter( and( summer( and( that( the( building( is( performing( as( intended.( ( During( the( depths( of( winter( some( tenants( struggled( to( optimise( the( heating( and( MVHR( system.( ( This( was( investigated( further(and(it(was(decided(to(install(a(panel(heater(on(the(wall(and(in(the(bedroom(in(these( flats(rather(than(relying(on(the(air(heater(battery.((Further(monitoring(and(discussions(with( tenants(have(found(this(solution(to(be(working(adequately(with(no(extra(energy(penalty.((( It(was(also(observed(that(some(occupants(were(not(optimising(natural(ventilation(strategies( during( summer( hot( conditions.( ( This( was( either( that( the( tenants( were( simply( not( opening( windows( or( obstructing( window( openings( with( plants,( ornaments( and( curtains.( ( Further( training( or( covering( this( item( in( the( previously( mentioned( video( diary( would( help( raise( awareness(of(this(matter.( Occupants(also(recorded(in(the(BUS(survey(that(they(are(happy(with(air(quality(levels.((The( CO2( readings( were( a( little( higher( than( expected( despite( being( commissioned( to( Part( F( Building( Regulation( air( volumes( but( are( still( within( acceptable( limits.( ( It( is( also( likely( that( these(air(quality(levels(are(better(in(winter(than(any(naturally(ventilated(equivalent(building.(((( Repeat( air( measurements( of( the( MVHR( systems( have( found( that( there( is( an( imbalance( between(supply(and(extract,(and(air(volumes(have(generally(increased(since(hand(over.((It(is( therefore(advised(that(all(MVHR(systems(are(fine(tuned(and(rebalanced(at(the(first(available(

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( opportunity.( ( Therefore( it( is( recommended( on( all( future( projects( that( seasonal( commissioning(and(fine(turning(is(included(in(the(first(year(after(handover.((( (

9.4

Energy

The( heating( and( hot( water( energy( consumption( in( the( 3( flats( is( meeting( the( design( predictions.((This(is(a(very(positive(finding(considering(the(winter(was(the(longest(and(coldest( for(50(years.((Socket(and(appliance(loads(were(higher(than(expected(especially(with(Flat(C,( which( is( simply( down( to( occupant( behaviour( and( lifestyle.( ( The( data( was( presented( to( the( occupants( highlighting( the( energy( breakdowns( and( where( behaviour( is( a( key( factor( in( consumption(and(hopefully(this(will(help(reduce(the(socket(and(appliance(loads.((((

9.5

Procurement Route

When(building(to(a(high(performance(and(design(standard(such(as(the(PHI(one,(the(particular( procurement( route( to( be( adopted( needs( to( be( carefully( considered.( ( ( A( traditional( procurement( route( is( more( likely( to( result( in( a( building( that( performs( to( its( design( intent( once(designed(correctly(and(there(is(3rd(party(inspection(on(site.((Design(and(build(contracts( on(the(other(hand(rely(on(contractors(that(are(not(fully(up(to(speed(or(aware(of(critical(issues( that( are( needed( to( achieve( high( performance( buildings( and( often( the( designers( are( not( so( engaged(in(the(design(or(building(process.((It’s(likely(that(there(are(very(few(examples(in(the( UK(of(PHI(certified(schemes(that(are(being(delivered(under(design(and(build(contracts.((((( Another( option( is( to( engage( the( contractor( at( an( earlier( stage( of( the( design( process( in( a( collaborative(arrangement(and(adopt(a(2(stage(process,(which(is(what(is(being(investigated( by(ECC(and(G&S(for(future(projects.(((The(2(stage(process(involves(appointing(a(contractor(on( an( open( book( basis.( ( At( stage( 1( the( contractors( bids( for( the( project( based( on( preliminary( costs,( pre<construction( costs,( overheads( and( profits( and( a( target( cost( plan.( ( As( part( of( this( stage(1(process(the(design(team(and(client(will(be(expecting(see(quality(information(from(the( contractor,(which(will(state(as(a(minimum(how(they(will(be(working(with(the(design(team(and( some( understanding( of( PHI( design.( ( ( During( the( 2nd( stage( the( contractor( works( with( the( design(team(and(brings(construction(and(supply(chain(experience(to(the(design(process(and( firms(up(final(project(build(costs(prior(to(starting(on(site.(((The(advantage(of(this(approach(is( that( the( design( team( take( advantage( of( construction( experience( during( the( design( process( and(the(contractor(learns(more(about(the(design,(some(time(in(advance(prior(to(starting(on( site.(((A(collaborative(way(of(working(is(developed,(the(contractor(is(operating(at(less(financial( risk( and( the( design( team( have( more( confidence( that( the( detail( in( the( scheme( will( be( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( delivered.((((This(is(likely(to(take(out(much(of(the(conflict(that(arises(between(the(design(team( and(contractor(when(working(under(a(traditional(or(design(and(build(contract.((( (

9.6

Key Messages - Conclusions and Key Findings

To( summarise,( the( PHI( design( standard( provides( a( robust( methodology( for( delivering( low( energy(buildings.((There(were(some(areas(highlighted(such(as(the(use(of(air(tight(tapes,(DPM( and(air(tight(ductwork(that(require(fine(tuning(for(future(projects.((In(additional(separating( out(the(heating(from(the(MVHR(system(to(improve(operation(moving(forward(and(allowing( for( seasonal( commissioning( to( fine( tune( MVHR( systems( will( both( help( optimise( comfort( conditions.((( On( the( construction( side,( the( key( element( born( out( of( this( project( is( to( ensure( that( the( contractor(fully(understands(the(PHI(requirements(when(pricing(the(project(and(also(allows( for(it(be(adequately(sequenced(in(the(construction(works(programme.((( Changing( the( occupants’( behaviour( and( habits( to( save( energy( is( the( next( challenge( in( reducing(any(performance(gap(between(predicted(and(actual(energy(consumption.((Ensuring( that(simple(energy(advice(is(covered(in(user(guides(together(with(additional(training(videos( will(assist(with(this.(((It(is(also(important(that(low(energy(expectations(are(not(raised(too(high( in( the( minds( of( the( occupants( because( they( will( be( disappointed( especially( if( they( have( energy(intensive(lifestyles.((( ( ( ( (

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(

10 Wider Lessons (

10.1

Wider Lessons

10.1.1*PHI*Design*and*Energy* This(monitoring(project(has(shown(that(the(Passivhaus(design(methodology(adopted(for(this( project(has(enabled(the(energy(targets(that(were(included(in(the(design(to(be(achieved(when( built,( thus( reducing( and( even( eliminating( the( performance( gap( encountered( with( many( UK( buildings.( ( The( final( step( to( fully( realise( the( low( energy( targets( is( to( address( occupant( behaviour( and( energy( use.( ( This( can( be( addressed( through( the( use( of( A+( to( A++( rated( appliances( when( old( ones( need( replacing,( if( they( can( be( proved( to( be( economic( to( the( tenants(and(also(through(raising(awareness.((There(will(always(be(some(occupants(who(use( more(energy(than(others(due(to(the(particular(lifestyles(they(live.((( Why( is( the( PHI( design( methodology( so( very( robust( at( designing( and( delivering( low( energy( buildings?( •

It( was( developed( in( a( country,( which( has( more( extreme( winters( and( summers( than( the( UK,( where( there( was( a( pressing( need( to( ensure( comfort( levels( during( these( extremes(and(also(ensure(that(energy(was(minimised.(((

•

In(extreme(climates(the(performance(gap(between(design(and(reality(can(be(greater.((( The( performance( gap( in( Germany( had( long( been( recognised( many( years( prior( to( it( being(recognised(in(the(UK.((The(PHI(design(method(was(born(out(of(a(need(to(reduce( this(gap.((The(UK(can(now(benefit(from(the(learning(curve(carried(out(by(others.(((

•

It(was(developed(by(the(Passivhaus(Institute(which(spent(many(years(researching(low( energy(buildings,(developing(the(standard,(putting(it(into(practise(and(fine(tuning(the( standard(from(inSsitu(monitoring.((The(elements(that(were(found(to(work(have(been( refined,(and(those(that(did(not(work(have(been(omitted.(((

•

It( provides( designers( a( tool( (PHPP)( to( design( every( aspect( of( design( including( the( fabric(and(all(building(services(–(heating,(hot(water,(ventilation(etc.((((Importantly(the( PHPP( tool( is( used( at( the( very( outset( at( concept( stages( to( determine( optimum( orientation( and( glazing( ratios.( ( ( Unlike( tools( used( in( the( UK,( which( are( simply( compliance(tools(and(are(brought(into(use(once(the(building(shape,(orientation(and( foot(print(has(been(set.(((

•

There( is( particular( attention( to( detail( during( design,( which( often( get( overlooked( by( designers( –( in( particular( thermal( bridging( and( air( tightness.( ( ( PHI( provides( plenty( of( supporting( documentation( based( on( experience( designing( extreme( winters( to( assist( with(these(elements.(

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( •

Designers(have(to(go(on(a(highly(detailed(training(course(and(sit(an(exam(to(become( Passivhaus(designers.((((

•

The(certification(route(is(thorough(and(rigour,(which(ensures(equally(that(this(rigour,( is(applied(during(the(design(and(especially(during(the(construction(process.(((

•

It( has( very( specific( set( standards( for( energy( and( air( tightness( and( there( is( no( ‘wooliness’;( the( design( either( meets( the( standards,( achieving( PHI( certification,( or( it( does( not.( ( Designers( can( be( confident( that( a( design( that( is( PHI( certified( truly( is( low( energy.((( (

10.1.2*Integrated*Design* The( key( element( that( worked( for( this( project( is( the( integrated( design( approach( at( early( stages.( ( As( well( as( providing( architectural( design( services( and( Passivhaus( design( consultancy,(Gale(&(Snowden(Architects(also(employs(building(biologists,(building(physicists( and(mechanical(and(electrical(engineers.((This(integrated(approach(starts(at(concept(stages.(( For(example(with(this(scheme,(generic(concept(designs(were(thermally(modeled(with(IES(and( the( PHPP.( ( Passive( strategies( were( developed( as( part( of( the( architectural( design( and( the( building(biologists,(physicists(and(M&E(engineers(also(fed(into(these(early(design(stages.((This( ensured(that(the(design(incorporated(these(energy(parameters(from(the(outset,(rather(than( using( the( building( regulations( compliance( checking( to( try( and( make( the( design( work.( ( The( design(worked(and(compliance(checking(was(simply(a(formality.((((( The( integrated( M&E( design( ensured( that( the( services( strategy( was( relevant( to( the( scheme( and(that(the(services(were(fully(co<ordinated(as(the(design(progressed.((Typically(on(domestic( schemes(an(M&E(engineer(is(often(not(employed.(The(plumber(and(electrician(then(have(the( task( of( trying( to( put( the( services( together( during( construction.( ( This( leads( to( co<ordination( issues,( the( wrong( plant( being( specified,( low( energy( controls( not( being( set( up( correctly( and( lack(of(ownership.((The(occupant(is(then(left(with(a(complicated(system(that(does(not(work( efficiently(or(effectively.((Often(energy(systems(are(left(to(be(designed(into(homes(after(the( scheme(has(been(tendered(and(this(design(service(is(carried(out(by(the(supplier(who(does(not( fully(appreciate(the(finer(design(elements(of(the(fabric(and(building.((A(separate(installer(then( installs( the( system( and( there( is( no( independent( checking.( ( As( Gale( &( Snowden( included( a( fully( integrated( design( team( at( the( outset( which( followed( through( during( the( construction( work(stages,(these(issues(were(not(encountered.(((( A(Quantity(Surveyor(was(also(employed(at(the(outset(who(provided(cost(advice(to(the(team( on(what(build(method(would(be(the(most(appropriate(in(terms(of(cost.(((A(lightweight(timber( frame( construction( was( assessed( against( the( heavyweight( construction( and( the( high( mass( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( with(blockwork(walls(was(found(to(be(the(cheaper(method(of(construction.((The(heavyweight( approach(also(provided(the(following(benefits(over(lightweight:( •

greater(stability(for(summer(conditions,((

•

a( robust( air( tight( strategy( with( plaster( direct( to( blockwork( walls( and( less( tapes( and( membranes(

•

easier(sound(attenuation(between(flats(

Employing(a(Quantity(Surveyor(as(part(of(the(design(process(helped(inform(the(team(and(the( client(as(to(which(strategies(were(economically(viable.((( Design( integration( at( the( outset( alongside( using( the( most( appropriate( design( standard( and( methodology(is(the(key(to(designing(low(energy(buildings(that(can(then(become(reality.((

10.1.3*Risk*Management* It( is( important( when( developing( novel( approaches( and( design( methods( that( the( risks( are( understood(by(the(team(and(the(client.((Clients(will(understand(that(things(may(not(go(quite( to(plan(when(trying(out(new(things,(provided(that(they(were(made(aware(of(the(risks(at(the( outset(and(that(there(is(a(back(up(plan(in(the(eventuality(of(something(not(quite(working.((It( is(important(therefore(that:( •

risks(are(understood(

•

they(are(managed(appropriately((

•

they(are(conveyed(to(the(team(and(client(

•

they(are(designed(out(or(back(up(strategies(are(developed(to(mitigate(them(

A(typical(example(is(the(use(of(the(heater(battery(in(the(supply(air(of(the(MVHR(system(to( meet(the(small(heat(loss(loads.((This(strategy(provided(a(low(cost(simple(method(for(heating( the(flats.((There(was(a(concern(however(that(this(might(not(work(in(terms(of(how(occupants( operate( the( MVHR( systems( especially( if( they( were( to( use( them( as( they( would( any( conventional(heating(system.((A(back(up(strategy(was(then(instigated(which(simply(consisted( of( adding( blank( plate( fused( spurs( in( the( bedrooms( and( living( rooms.( ( In( the( flats( where( tenants( struggle( to( optimize( heating( via( the( MVHR( system( a( panel( heater( could( then( be( fitted.((Most(tenants(managed(to(operate(the(MVHR(heating(strategy(well.((However,(some( tenants(struggled(with(it(and(the(panel(heaters(were(installed.((Some(tenants(struggled(with( the( concept( of( MVHR.( ( They( found( it( hard( to( grasp( the( it( was( providing( heating( as( well( as( ventilation(and(could(not(understand(that(during(extreme(cold(periods(they(could(boost(the( MVHR(to(get(more(heat(provided(that(the(thermostat(was(set(correctly.((As(a(result(it(was(for( future( schemes( that( consist( of( small( compact( social( housing( flats( this( approach( will( not( be( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( used( and( the( heating( will( be( separated( from( the( supply( air.( ( The( MVHR( system( can( then( simply( run( by( itself( and( space( heating( can( be( turned( on( or( programmed( to( come( on( independently(from(the(MVHR(system.((It(also(provides(a(better(back(up(strategy(in(case(of( breakdown,(however(there(will(be(an(increase(in(capital(costs.( (

10.1.4*Construction*for*Summer*Comfort* The(measured(data(and(feed(back(from(the(BUS(questionnaires(have(shown(that(the(flats(can( maintain(comfort(conditions(even(during(a(summer(heat(wave.((A(key(element(at(early(stages( as( part( of( the( integrated( design( approach( was( to( develop( a( summer( comfort( strategy( in( a( highly(insulated(flat.((The(team(was(aware(of(industry(press(reporting(overheating(in(highly( insulated( buildings( which( was( counter( to( what( was( happening( in( countries( with( warmer( summers( than( the( UK( such( as( Germany( and( France.( ( Provided( buildings( are( designed( appropriately,( highly( insulated( buildings( do( not( result( in( overheating( and( in( fact( can( form( part( of( a( strategy( to( keep( a( building( cool( as( insulation( also( keeps( heat( out( (in( the( form( of( solar(gain)(as(well(keeps(it(in.((Generic(designs(were(thermally(modeled(and(it(was(found(that( the( heavy( weight( method( approach( was( the( most( robust( solution( provided( sufficient( ventilation( air( could( be( realised( in( summer( though( opening( windows.( ( It( was( found( that( single( sided( ventilation( with( flats( that( only( had( glazing( on( one( elevation( and( with( central( corridors( would( result( in( overheating.( ( A( cross( flow( ventilation( strategy( was( developed( for( the( scheme( with( openings( on( both( sides( of( the( building( which( due( to( pressure( differences( encourages( a( greater( movement( of( air( though( the( building.( ( This( was( found( in( conjunction( with(mass(to(be(an(effective(strategy(at(maintaining(summer(comfort(conditions.((The(mass( providing( the( means( to( remove( heat( stored( in( the( day( with( cooler( air( at( night.( ( This( mass( strategy( then( helped( form( a( simple( and( robust( (during( construction)( air( tightness( strategy( which(was(simply(using(plaster(directly(adhered(to(the(walls(as(the(air(tight(layer.((( (

10.1.5*Construction* The(construction(stages(were(the(biggest(challenge(for(the(project.((At(the(time(there(were( few(Passivhaus(buildings(in(the(UK(and(there(were(no(large(social(housing(multi(residential( buildings.((The(contractor(had(no(experience(of(building(to(the(Passivhaus(standard(and(few( had(at(the(time.((Achieving(air(tightness(on(site(was(challenging,(as(was(conveying(this(to(all( the(trades.((Many(trades(had(priced(the(scheme(as(any(other(project(that(they(had(done(in( the(past(and(did(not(appreciate(the(level(of(quality(control(they(found(on(site(inspecting(their( works.(((It(was(challenging(for(the(design(team(when(on(site(to(ensure(the(contractor(and(all( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( sub(contractors(were(building(and(installing(to(the(level(of(detail(shown(on(the(drawings.((On( many( occasions( it( was( reported( that( various( sub( contractors( were( not( working( from( the( latest(drawings(or(did(not(have(any(to(work(from.((Lessons(learnt(for(the(contractor(on(the( construction(side(are:( •

to(ensure(PHI(design(and(air(tightness(is(clearly(understood(when(pricing((and(to(also( ensure( that( this( is( passed( on( to( sub( contractors( for( when( they( are( pricing.( ( Do( not( simply(price(based(on(bill(of(quantities(–(understand(specifications(and(drawings(

•

to(develop(an(appropriate(programme(which(suits(the(sequencing(of(trades(especially( when(it(comes(to(constructing(the(air(tight(barrier(and(testing(it(

•

to(provide(appropriate(training(on(air(tightness(to(all(sub(contractors(

•

to(allow(for(sufficient(on(site(quality(control(with(regard(to(all(construction(elements( in(particular(thermal(elements(

•

do(not(take(unnecessary(risks(when(building(to(PHI(design(for(the(first(time(especially( when(it(comes(to(the(weather(

Lessons(learnt(for(the(designer/contract(administrator/client(on(the(construction(side(are:( •

to(allow(for(sufficient(on(site(quality(control(and(rigorous(checking(with(regard(to(all( construction(elements(in(particular(thermal(elements(

•

to(be(confident(that(the(contractor(has(understood(the(scheme(before(starting(on(site( –(contractor(to(present(detailed(programme(and(strategy(for(delivering(PHI(design(

•

for(design(team(to(work(closely(with(contractor(to(assist(in(their(understanding(and( learning(curve( (

10.1.6*The*UK*Construction*Industry* One( key( element( in( delivering( low( energy( buildings( that( realise( their( design( intent( will( be( how( the( UK( construction( industry( rises( to( the( challenge.(( All( too( often( there( is( a( lack( of( quality( and( due( diligence( on( site.((In( Germany( the( model( is( that( tradesmen( have( to( have( a( considerable(number(of(years(training(and(be(of(a(certain(quality(before(they(are(allowed(on( site(and(it(is(similar(in(France.((In(the(UK(there(are(quality(schemes(that(contractors(can(insist( on( with( sub( contractors( but( all( too( often( poorly( trained( tradesmen( are( working( on( site.((There(are(also(very(few(direct(employed(labour(personnel(in(the(UK(by(main(contractors( who( prefer( to( sub( contract( the( work( out.(( This( sub( contracting( out( is( often( after( the( main( contractor( has( already( tendered( and( won( the( job.(( For( example( M&E( contractors( usually( tender(once(the(main(contractor(has(been(appointed(and(at(this(point(the(main(contractor( already(knows(the(M&E(price(that(must(be(met.((This(raises(the(question(as(to(whether(the( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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( sub( contractors( that( are( tendering( for( the( packages( are( actually( tendering( as( fairly( as( the( main(contractor(did.((The(main(contractor(would(have(been(interviewed(by(the(main(design( team(and(client(but(the(sub(contractors(would(not(have(been(and(in(some(instances(it(will( simply(be(a(case(of(the(cheapest(price(wins(the(job(and(not(the(best(quality.((Interviews(with( sub(contractors(who(are(part(of(this(contracting(culture(repeatedly(say(that(their(prices(are( ‘hammered’(down(to(the(lowest(they(can(deliver(which(is(usually(at(the(cost(of(quality(and( diligence(on(site.((Whilst(the(design(team(and(client(can(affect(the(choice(of(main(contractor( via( the( tendering( interview( process,( they( have( little( influence( on( the( choice( of( sub( contractors(who(will(form(the(majority(on(site(building(the(building.(( In(addition(this(sub(contractor(culture(does(not(allow(for(team(building(and(learning(that(can( be(passed(on(with(a(team(from(one(project(to(another.((There(can(also(be(an(inconsistency( with(working(on(site(with(sub(contractors(changing(from(day(to(day.((( Other(issues(that(arise(from(this(mode(of(operation:( •

A( lack( of( clear( co<ordination( on( site( between( the( trades(and( the( main( contractor( when(issuing(the(latest(specifications(and(drawings.(((

•

There( is( usually( a( disconnect( between( the( design( team( and( building( on( site,( so( designs(do(not(get(built(correctly(

•

The( PHI( design( criteria( and( air( tightness( being( relayed( and( understood( by( all( sub( contractors,(is(likely(to(be(watered(down(and(misunderstood(

•

Clients(relying(on(D&B((design(and(build)(as(they(are(concerned(about(their(liability( and(risk(delivering(high(performing(buildings(in(this(culture(

•

All( of( the( above( being( exaggerated( in( a( design( and( build( contract( which( effectively( allows(even(less(control(of(quality(on(site(by(the(design(team.(

If(the(UK(construction(industry(is(to(raise(its(game(and(start(delivering(on(designs(and(closing( the( performance( gap( then( these( are( some( of( the( areas( that( need( to( be( taken( into( consideration.(((

( ( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

10.2

Wider Lessons - Conclusions and Key Findings

The( design( process( adopted( for( this( scheme( worked( well.( ( The( aspects( of( this( process( that( enabled(the(project(to(be(successful(are:( Thermal# modelling# at# concepts# stages# using# IES# and# PHPP,# following# PHI# design# methodology,# integrated# team# (M&E,# architects,# landscape# etc),# QS# providing# costs# at# early#stages,#fully#detailed#design#and#specifications.# Construction( stages( were( more( difficult( but( the( contractor( rose( to( the( challenge( and( the( scheme(was(PHI(certified.((( The( use( of( the( Passivhaus( Planning( package( design( tool( was( important( as( too( was( the( integrated(design(team.((The(PHI(design(methodology(and(a(design(team(that(was(dedicated( to( the( cause( were( also( key( elements( to( ensuring( the( scheme( was( designed( properly( and( delivered(on(site.((( Low(energy(designs(do(not(have(to(be(complex(and(brimming(with(mechanical(services(plant( and(renewables.((Low(energy(designs(too(often(do(not(follow(an(integrated(design(approach( that( prioritises( the( fabric( and( orientation( and( instead( adopts( a( services( heavy( strategy( to( make( it( work.( ( If( a( building( is( designed( correctly,( maximising( winter( solar( gain( with( the( appropriate(levels(of(insulation,(very(little(heating(is(required(in(the(UK(climate.((This(means( that( no( conventional( heating( system( is( required( and( no( underperforming( heat( pumps( or( costly(biomass(systems.((The(money(is(put(in(the(fabric,(which(will(outlast(any(heating(system( by(a(long(way.(((( In(addition(if(designed(correctly(for(summer(comfort(conditions(highly(insulated(buildings(do( not(overheat(as(is(also(found(in(warmer(countries(in(the(continent.((Overheating(in(buildings( is( a( result( of( poor( design( rather( than( too( much( insulation.( ( Buildings( that( cannot( be( ventilated( adequately,( have( high( internal( gains( from( equipment( or( have( too( much( south( facing( glazing( and( are( inadequately( protected( from( solar( gain( and( will( overheat( in( the( summer.( Keeping(designs(simple(and(putting(design(emphasis(into(the(fabric(at(early(concept(stages(is( the( key( to( realising( buildings( that( will( work( both( in( summer( and( winter.( ( In( addition( these( buildings(are(usually(simpler(for(end(users(to(operate(and(maintain.(( ( ( ( Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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(

11 Appendices (

The(following(documents(are(papers(written(that(accompany(this(report(and(formed(part(of( the(research(and(monitoring(assessment(throughout(the(2(year(monitoring(period:(( 1. J.(Fitzsimmons(‘TSB#Knights#Place#Air#Test#Findings’((2013((Gale(&(Snowden(Architects)( 2. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘TSB# Knights# Place# Summertime# Analysis# Year# One’( ( 2012( (Gale( &( Snowden(Architects)( 3. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘TSB# Knights# Place# MVHR# data# logging# &# analysis’( ( 2014( (Gale( &( Snowden(Architects)( 4. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘TSB# Knights# Place# SAP# &# PHPP# results’# 2013( (Gale( &( Snowden( Architects)( 5. J.(Fitzsimmons(‘TSB#Knights#Place#Air#Test#Findings’((2013((Gale(&(Snowden(Architects)( 6. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘Flat# 14# Thermography# Inspection# Report’( ( 2013( (Gale( &( Snowden( Architects)( 7. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘Flat# 15# Thermography# Inspection# Report’( ( 2013( (Gale( &( Snowden( Architects)( 8. J.( Fitzsimmons( ‘Flat# 18# Thermography# Inspection# Report’( ( 2013( (Gale( &( Snowden( Architects)( ( The( following( documents( form( part( of( the( TSB( required( documents( in( terms( of( commissioning(and(SAP(capture:( 1. Knights(Place(Commissioning(Sheets(Flat(14( 2. Knights(Place(Commissioning(Sheets(Flat(15( 3. Knights(Place(Commissioning(Sheets(Flat(18( 4. Knights(Place(SAP(capture(Flat(14( 5. Knights(Place(SAP(capture(Flat(15( 6. Knights(Place(SAP(capture(Flat(18( ( ( ( (

Building Performance Evaluation, Domestic Buildings Phase 2 – Final Report

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