News — Air leakage

No. 9 Lang Lane West Kirby A passive house designed by John McCall Architects, which runs on the energy equivalent to that used by a 40W lightbulb, has won a national green award. Practice director, Colin Usher, designed the home in Lane Lane, West Kirby for himself and his wife. It won the Domestic Newbuild category of the Buildings and Energy Efficiency Awards. It was carefully orientated so the windows and solar roof panels get optimum sunlight exposure. The result is a house that has been lived in for a number of years and the energy cost for heating, lighting,...

Do you want to joint the passive house revolution? Sirch can help with design details and we have all the products required to build a passive house.

When people ask me what is the first thing I should look at when trying to reduce energy consumption in a house I always reply draught exclusion. I have visited properties many times on the pretence of giving advice on how to reduce heat loss and turn around to see a 20mm gap under the front door. “Get a sausage dog”. Using an old fashioned draught excluder will help keep the heat in the building, not very high tech but probably the most important item to consider. For example what is the point in installing high performance windows and leaving...