Enhancing net-zero energy buildings: a comprehensive critical review of Passivhaus design in the UK
Harshul Singhal
University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.62744/CATE.45273.1204-532-540
Email: hssinghal@uclan.ac.uk
Abstract:
In the effort to reach the UK's goal of having zero carbon emissions by 2050, this study offers a detailed review of Passivhaus designs in the UK's housing area. This research tries to fill in the gaps in existing studies by closely looking at how much energy and carbon Passivhaus homes use compared to other homes in the UK. Focusing on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, this research plans to set a strong basis for further study stages, including creating a user-friendly online tool for easy access and understanding of the results. Using a step-by-step approach, the study gathers information from a wide range of scholarly articles, showing the Passivhaus design as a new way to create energy-saving homes. Initial findings highlight the great potential of Passivhaus designs in significantly lowering the need for space heating compared to the average UK homes. However, the review also points out the lack of research on indoor air quality and the comfort of residents, marking an important area for further study. Additionally, the study emphasizes the urgent need to update current databases and approach to include a broader view of the energy embodied in materials and its related carbon emissions. As this PhD research moves forward, it plans to deepen the understanding of the sustainability of Passivhaus homes in the UK, with the goal to suggest changes in current Passivhaus standards to fully address the carbon emissions from embodied energy, leading the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable future in the UK's building industry.
Keywords: Passive Houses, Net Zero Energy Homes, Whole-Life Carbon Footprint, Embodied Carbon Footprint, Operational Carbon Footprint