The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Scottish Government Launches Consultation on Passivhaus Standard

Scottish Government Launches Consultation on Passivhaus Standard
14 August 2024
 

A Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard is being explored via a government consultation.

The review will consider potential changes to The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, to accommodate an equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, with new minimum environmental design standards.

The first stage of the consultation will involve understanding the extent to which the components of the Passivhaus approach are desirable and deliverable at a national level within Scottish regulations.

The Passivhaus Trust, a not-for-profit company that provides UK leadership for the adoption of the Passivhaus standard, will be providing a detailed response to the consultation in mid-August. 

 

What is Passivhaus?

 

The Passivhaus approach focuses on optimising the building's fabric to achieve energy efficiency passively. This method emphasises features like extra thick insulation in walls and floors, along with triple-glazed windows and doors. Passivhaus buildings typically achieve a 75 per cent reduction in space heating requirements compared to standard practices for new builds in the UK.

 

 Achieving the Passivhaus Standard typically involves:

 

  • Very high levels of insulation
  • High-performance windows with insulated frames
  • Airtight building fabric
  • "Thermal bridge free" construction
  • A mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery

 

Picture: a photograph of a partly-constructed home with. a person wearing a hard hat and holding a large piece of paper walking towards it. Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 August 2024

Share


Related Tags


Related Articles

Icebox Challenge – Glasgow's Energy Efficient Building Competition 

In the lead up to COP26, Glasgow is hosting a public installation to demonstrate the benefits of energy-efficient buildings. Students from across Scotland were...

 Read Full Article
Largest UK Passivhaus Building Accredited

urbanest Battersea has achieved Passivhaus standard accreditation, making it the largest Passivhaus building in the UK and the eighth largest in the world. The...

 Read Full Article
New Scottish National Centre for Retrofit of Traditional Buildings Announced

A new national centre dedicated to championing the retrofit of traditional buildings will be established in Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland (HES), using...

 Read Full Article
High Performing Buildings – September’s Roundup

September’s high performing buildings roundup features the UK's largest Passivhaus education building, a new Scandinavian-designed neighbourhood in East London,...

 Read Full Article
Ashleigh Corbett Appointed as CBRE’s Head of Flex in Scotland

CBRE has appointed a new Head of Flex to lead its flexible office solutions offering in Scotland. The demand for flexible workspace continues to grow in Scotland, but...

 Read Full Article
Historic Environment Scotland’s Retrofit Project Halted

Plans to find a new home for Historic Environment Scotland’s archives have been halted due to the rising cost of materials and labour. Archive House, an existing...

 Read Full Article
CBRE’s Glasgow HQ One of Healthiest Places to Work in the UK

CBRE’s Scottish headquarters has been awarded a WELL Certification at Platinum Level, the first UK project to be certified under the newest version of the...

 Read Full Article
Lovat's Group Wins Hard FM Contract With The National Records of Scotland

Lovat's Group Limited has won a seven-million-pound contract to provide hard facilities management to the National Records of Scotland Estate. Lovat’s will...

 Read Full Article
OCS Wins FM Contract With Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service 

OCS has secured a seven-year total facilities management contract with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal...

 Read Full Article
Will Glasgow Adopt a Tall Buildings Policy?

Glasgow City Council is developing new planning guidance for tall buildings, to ensure that they meet design standards and do not spoil existing views. Council...

 Read Full Article