It's been a chilly and blustery week with the 'beast from the east' causing widespread havoc across many parts of the UK.
It has also been the first real test to see how well the house would perform, and with temperatures dropping as low as minus six overnight we have been pleasantly surprised how consistent internal temperatures have remained. We couldn't help feeling slightly vindicated that the effort (and expense) of building to the exacting Passivhaus standard suddenly became completely worthwhile. It's not been especially toasty inside (generally 20 celsius +/- 1 degree) as the radiators never get that hot, and they never seem to come on upstairs, but it doesn't seem to stop the kiddies from wearing very little most of the time. Solar gain makes a huge difference, with even a couple of hours of afternoon sun pushing the temperature easily up to a comfortable 24 celsius. It's interesting then how much of the heat will be retained through the night as the following morning temperatures are usually a degree or so higher than normal. The outside walls are noticeably warmer to the touch at head height than at skirting level, highlighting the effect of our our big thermal bridge where the ground slab meets the external wall. It's supposedly spring now; bring on summer.
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Russel and Anna Hayden
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