ecohomes

What are very low energy houses designed to do?

Minimise energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, improve thermal comfort, reduce dependence on conventional heating systems and use passive and renewable technologies

What are the main principles for very low energy houses?

High thermal insulation, airtight construction, efficient ventilation systems, renewable energy generation, passive solar designs and reduce energy demand

What are the strategies to achieve the design aims?

Passive heating, solar energy collection, thermal storage, controlled ventilation and high performance building envelope

How does reducing carbon emissions linked to why it Is important for houses to be designed as low energy.

Since most of the energy still comes from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gases, we must reduce carbon emissions. Since housing contribute significantly to carbon emissions through space heating, cooling, lighting, hot water and appliances, low energy homes can help reduce these emissions.

How does reducing energy demand linked to why it’s important for houses to be designed as low energy?

In addition, energy efficient homes will require less heating and cooling energy therefore lower energy demand reducing dependence on fossil fuels to overall benefit reduce environmental impact, reduce national energy demand and improve in security.

How does rising energy cost link to why it’s important for buildings to be low energy?

Especially as in prices continue to increase, an efficient home can reduce running cost for occupants therefore lower fuel bill, reduce fuel poverty and improve affordability.

How does improving thermal comfort and health linked to why it’s important for designs to be low energy?

Well designed low energy homes can provide a stable indoor temperature, better indoor air quality, reduce drafts and improved occupant comfort. This can improve health, well-being and productivity.

What are the features of an offsite timber frame construction, advantages and the lesson we must learn

It features closed timber frame panels manufactured offsite with factory controlled production.

This improves quality control, greater construction accuracy, reduced construction waste, faster construction and reduce performance gap between design and actual performance.

We must ensure consistency in thermal and injury performance

How does government regulations and climate targets linked to why It’s important for houses to be designed as low energy

Many countries that aim to achieve Netzer carbon targets, reduce building emissions and improve energy efficiency standard so having a low carbon housing helps achieve these environmental objectives

What is the problem identified from mechanical ventilation heating required (MVHR) maintenance, the effects and the lessons learnt?

Filters were not regularly checked after commissioning.

This created foreign material buildup, reduced system effectiveness and reduce ventilation performance.

What was the problem identified, effects and lesson learned from overheating and what are some solutions adopted to reduce the likelihood?

Large unshaded south facing windows created excessive solar gains and internal overheating before occupation.

Highly energy efficient homes can overheat so solar again must be carefully controlled and trading devices are essential for that such as automated internal blinds with highly reflection performance

Define solar wall system, the operations and the benefits

Passive outer facial system.

Uses the conducting materials, perforated steel sheets and drawers preheated air into ventilation systems.

Reduces heating demand, uses solar energy passively and improves energy efficiency

Define photovoltaic thermal panels (PVT panels), the operations and the benefits

Hybrid solar technology, which produces electrical energy and thermal energy.

The advantages are that it forms two types of energy from one system, greater efficiency than conventional photovoltaic alone and improved use of roof space

Define energy earth bank system (EEB), the operations and the benefits

Underground thermal storage system where uses 56 ball holes with the depth of 1.5 m below building to store excess solar heat collected during summertime and releases stored heat during winter.

Seasonal energy storage, reduces heating demand and improves energy efficiency

What are the planning and site considerations?

Rural planning approval has the issue of single dwelling located in rural landscapes therefore creating potential planning restrictions.

Elevated site location reduces risk associated with ground water changes, protects energy earth bank system performance and improve long-term reliability.

What are the key passive design lessons?

Insulation to reduce heat transfer, air tightness to reduce unwanted infiltration, thermal mass stores and releases heat, solar control balance is used for gains with overheating risk, ventilation allows a fresh air supply with minimum heat loss and maintenance is required for high-performance systems with the correct operation

What are the critical factors when designing low carbon, energy efficient homes?

Building orientation and passive solar design, high levels of insulation, air tightness, ventilation systems, thermal mass, renewable energy technology, overheating, construction quality and offsite manufacturing