Passivhaus Interview
Interview with John O Sullivan owner of a passive house in Farranfore Co. Kerry. ID no. 2934
1. Why did you want to build a passive house?
I wanted a house with a low running cost with a high level of comfort. I had a south facing site so it made sense.
2. Where did you hear/ become aware of passive design.
First heard about passive at a building exhibition and then did further research online.
3. Was it hard to persuade you to build passive?
No as this is a scientifically proven design as everything is calculated before you build.
4. Did you encounter problems? Biggest problem
I experienced problems initially with planning permission and engineers but I changed my design and overcame these.
5. Why did you choose a timber frame construction?
I choose timber frame construction for the little time it took to build and the results I could get from this construction method to reach passive. The timber frame was made in Ireland.
6. Was there a big cost difference compared to building a house to the building regulations?
No I would say there was 10 per cent increase on building cost but I think that the house has paid this off by now as it has such low running costs.
7. Had you to change any detail so you would meet Passive standard?
No as it was planned and calculated from the beginning.
8. How long did the house take to build?
Under one year.
9. What is it like to live in a passive house?
No comparison to living in a conventional house. It is really easy to live in a passive house and to control a passive house.
10. Any opinions?
I would advise anyone building a house to look into passive and to build a passive house.
11. Advantages/ disadvantages?
Low running cost. The quality of living is just undiscribable.
12. Does the house preform to how it was anticipated?
Yes it does and I was expecting this as this was calculated before the house was built.
13. What would you change to improve this house?
No.
14. What would you do differently if you were building this house again?
Nothing I am very happy with how everything turned out.
15. Were there any problems with the site?
No it is a sloping site but caused no problems.
16. Builders experience did this help?
It was a self-build and I was in charge of the build. We didn’t have much knowledge about building a passive house but everyone was learning and was willing to do a good quality job which was needed. Everyone involved knew that there had to be a good level of quality.
17. Was it difficult to source the different types of insulation/ materials?
No all were easily sourced direct from suppliers in Ireland or in Europe.
18. Where did you source the different insulations/ materials?
Some from Irish retailers and others from Germany when they could not be sourced in Ireland.
19. Where did you source the triple glazed windows?
Germany a company called passine.
20. Did the windows meet passive standard?
Yes they have too.
21. Was it harder to get planning for this type of house do you think?
No but I think the councils don’t understand passive design and should give people an incentive to build a passive house.
22. General conclusion.
I am very happy with how everything turned out and I am happy I choose to build a passive house. I would anyone thinking of building to build a passive house.
Interview with John O Sullivan owner of a passive house in Farranfore Co. Kerry. ID no. 2934
1. Why did you want to build a passive house?
I wanted a house with a low running cost with a high level of comfort. I had a south facing site so it made sense.
2. Where did you hear/ become aware of passive design.
First heard about passive at a building exhibition and then did further research online.
3. Was it hard to persuade you to build passive?
No as this is a scientifically proven design as everything is calculated before you build.
4. Did you encounter problems? Biggest problem
I experienced problems initially with planning permission and engineers but I changed my design and overcame these.
5. Why did you choose a timber frame construction?
I choose timber frame construction for the little time it took to build and the results I could get from this construction method to reach passive. The timber frame was made in Ireland.
6. Was there a big cost difference compared to building a house to the building regulations?
No I would say there was 10 per cent increase on building cost but I think that the house has paid this off by now as it has such low running costs.
7. Had you to change any detail so you would meet Passive standard?
No as it was planned and calculated from the beginning.
8. How long did the house take to build?
Under one year.
9. What is it like to live in a passive house?
No comparison to living in a conventional house. It is really easy to live in a passive house and to control a passive house.
10. Any opinions?
I would advise anyone building a house to look into passive and to build a passive house.
11. Advantages/ disadvantages?
Low running cost. The quality of living is just undiscribable.
12. Does the house preform to how it was anticipated?
Yes it does and I was expecting this as this was calculated before the house was built.
13. What would you change to improve this house?
No.
14. What would you do differently if you were building this house again?
Nothing I am very happy with how everything turned out.
15. Were there any problems with the site?
No it is a sloping site but caused no problems.
16. Builders experience did this help?
It was a self-build and I was in charge of the build. We didn’t have much knowledge about building a passive house but everyone was learning and was willing to do a good quality job which was needed. Everyone involved knew that there had to be a good level of quality.
17. Was it difficult to source the different types of insulation/ materials?
No all were easily sourced direct from suppliers in Ireland or in Europe.
18. Where did you source the different insulations/ materials?
Some from Irish retailers and others from Germany when they could not be sourced in Ireland.
19. Where did you source the triple glazed windows?
Germany a company called passine.
20. Did the windows meet passive standard?
Yes they have too.
21. Was it harder to get planning for this type of house do you think?
No but I think the councils don’t understand passive design and should give people an incentive to build a passive house.
22. General conclusion.
I am very happy with how everything turned out and I am happy I choose to build a passive house. I would anyone thinking of building to build a passive house.