4 ms·
There are a number of reasons modern builds are still poorly performing. First, the regs ('code') is still very unambitious. Second, the assessment process is
by dangravell 10y ago
There are a number of reasons modern builds are still poorly performing.
First, the regs ('code') is still very unambitious.
Second, the assessment process is poor and not rigourously enforced.
Building practices since the war have slowly led to lower intrinsic performance. There are a number of examples. Cavity walls are way over specified and introduce a number of thermal compromises. Plasterboard ('drywall') on bare block is a disaster area. Downlighters acting like chimneys into cold lofts. Dumb extractor fans that leak heat even when not running.
Note that modern house do not have the same 'breathability' requirements as older ones. This is an extremely complex area.
For me it's not so much the eco credentials that matter; it's building something of a high quality that does what it is supposed to do.
- pbowyer 10y agoAny materials (books/websites/people/organisations) you can recommend to learn more? Like you it's not so much the eco credentials that matter to me, and I want to improve my grasp on the complexities. Plus I only knew one of your examples (extractor fans).
- dangravell 10y agoSure, the AECB, Passivhaus, the Green Building Forum, http://www.greenspec.co.uk http://www.greenspec.co.uk, http://www.houseplanninghelp.com http://www.houseplanninghelp.com all useful for starters. http://www.greensuffolk.org/assets/Greenest-County/SGBN/Sustainable-Construction/refurbfinalpdf.pdf http://www.greensuffolk.org/assets/Greenest-County/SGBN/Sust... is a good overview of common problems.