Passivhaus Inspired 1980's Home Retrofit, Milton

Cambridge Carbon Footprint (CCF) is an award-winning environmental charity in Cambridge, UK. We work to raise awareness of climate change issues and to support people in moving to low-carbon living.We engage with people who want to reduce their Carbon Footprint through positive, and pragmatic changes to their lifestyles. We offer a varied programme of events and activities which inspire people to engage with climate change and empower them, individually and within their communities, to move towards low carbon living.Volunteer, collaborate, come along to an event or access useful resources on climate change, and sustainable living in and around Cambridge. There's lots to see, learn and do.Find out more at www.cambridgecarbonfootprint.org.

Cambridge Carbon Footprint

Comfort, air quality and energy efficiency were the priorities for the homeowners of this late 1980s house in Milton.

When Spyros and Apostolos moved, they wanted a larger home that would lend itself to improvements and in particular energy efficiency retrofits. They bought this late 1980s detached home in June 2024 and immediately embarked on a full deep retrofit. They both like to spend time at home, and having both worked extensively from home – even pre-pandemic – placed high priority on comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency. “While drawing on professional knowledge, we also found value in practical conversations with tradespeople and real-world examples from the Passivhaus community,” says Apostolos. Passivhaus is a globally recognised design standard that ensures exceptional comfort and indoor air quality, while dramatically reducing a building's energy consumption for heating and cooling. As Apostolos is an architect and a Certified Passivhaus Designer, the retrofit was designed using the Passivhaus principles and modelled using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP). Since completing the work, the air quality is markedly better, and the house is noticeably quieter. They are more aware of actively managing solar gains, especially during heat spells, and are slowly implementing smart controls for lighting, heating, ventilation and security. The switch to all-electric systems (via ASHP) and inclusion of MVHR will significantly enhance efficiency while increasing comfort. They feel proud of the home's potential having taken great care to ensure the plans all came up to standard and look forward to further tweaks and improvements. Key features of this house<ul><li>External wall insulation (EPS with silicone render, above and below DPC)</li></ul><ul><li>Floor insulation using vacuum insulating panels (beam &amp; block ground floor)</li></ul><ul><li>Loft insulation with mineral wool</li></ul><ul><li>Airtightness enhancements across building fabric</li></ul><ul><li>Triple glaze timber/ aluminium composite windows</li></ul><ul><li>MVHR system with rigid metal ductwork</li></ul><ul><li>Air source heat pump installation with low-temperature radiators</li></ul><ul><li>Cooling via fan coil unit (connected to ASHP)</li></ul><ul><li>Smart LED lighting set up with home automation infrastructure</li></ul><ul><li>Infrastructure for future PV, battery storage and EV charging</li></ul><ul><li>Internal venetian blinds for solar control</li></ul><ul><li>Smart electricity and water meters</li><li>Rewilded garden for biodiversity and stormwater resilience</li></ul> Tour details1 hour in-person tours with a maximum of 8 people per tour, running:Saturday 8 November 11:00, 13:00, 15:00Bookers will be sent location details in reminder emails. Tour spaces are very limited. Babes in arms and young people (14+) are welcome.

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Passivhaus Inspired 1980's Home Retrofit, Milton

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