Heating efficiency from WeberHaus

WeberHaus is at the forefront of German initiative "PassivHaus" bringing ecological benefits to homes across Europe.

With rising fuel prices and talk of 'fuel poverty', the idea of a heating bill of less than GBP25 per annum seems like a pipe dream - but is already a reality.

The energy efficiency of a PassivHaus home is based on factors such as building orientation and design, but the main benefits are derived from its construction, air tightness and its heat recovery system.

The house works in a similar way to a vacuum flask; it has excellent insulation properties to keep the house warm in cold weather whilst keeping the interior cool during hot summer temperatures.

Instrumental in achieving this balance is a heat recovery system, which captures up to 90% of the heat from inside the house whilst circulating fresh air from the outside.

In cold temperatures, a heater will heat incoming air if required.

Not only is the PassivHaus system simple to use, but also it is so effective that there is no need for central heating.

The system is so efficient, that the heat energy used to heat one room in a standard brick and block house would be sufficient to heat an entire PassivHaus home.

The thick walls are constructed from a number of insulating layers and the windows are triple-glazed and are designed to minimise 'thermal bridging'.

Another big advantage of the system is that the home is manufactured off-site, so that once the foundations are laid, the home can be erected in a matter of days.

Many forward-thinking people and architects have already built this kind of home in other parts of Europe.

The advantage of the WeberHaus build - system means that for anyone with a plot of land, they can provide a home to suit individuals' unique requirements, from a 'standard' system with excellent insulation properties to a complete PassivHaus; WeberHaus will construct the house of their dreams that will dramatically reduce their fuel bills and carbon footprint.

Thomas Solle, Business Development Manager of WeberHaus comments, "There are many advantages to the WeberHaus PassivHaus system but the whole 'off-site manufacture' is a concept that is still largely alien to the UK construction industry, even though it is a well proven system around the world".

"The traditional brick exterior familiar to the British is still possible with our system, but increasingly the design conscious and those seeking a sustainable alternative are looking at PassivHaus".

"The government is seeking to encourage carbon reduction measures in building through the Code for Sustainable Housing; this system can surpass current levels by a considerable degree".

"There is much more to PassivHaus than carbon emissions, but increasing regulation and energy costs will necessitate the principles that have been learnt under 'Passiv Haus' for all construction projects".

"The forward thinking can realise those benefits today".

WeberHaus will be exhibiting at the Grand Designs exhibition at the Excel Centre in London's Docklands from 25th April to 4th May.

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