Breathing Easy: Our Journey with EnerPHit and Passive House Projects in Melbourne
Carland Constructions isn't just building structures; we're crafting environments that prioritise comfort, health, and durability. For years, we've been deeply involved and leading the progression of high-performance building in Melbourne, and two standards stand out in our experience: EnerPHit and Passive House. These aren't just buzzwords for us; they represent a commitment to a better way of building, and we've seen firsthand the transformative impact they have on the spaces we create and the lives of the people who inhabit them. But hey, don't just take our word for it – you're always welcome to have a chat to our clients!
Our journey into EnerPHit and Passive House began with a simple yet powerful conviction: buildings can and should do more. When I was an apprentice, I always wanted more. I knew I wasn’t going to be the best carpenter, and if I was going to be a builder, I knew that I needed to build homes, not just houses. They shouldn't just shelter us; they should enhance our well-being while minimising their environmental footprint. On a side note here, the issue with buildings in Australia is that most homes barely even shelter us and struggle to properly separate those living inside from the outside. When we speak publicly, this is a question I always ask: What is the purpose of building a home? The answer, to separate us from the inside to out, yet the average Australian home often fails to meet this basic principle.
This led us to explore the rigorous standards of Passive House, recognising them as the gold standard for energy efficiency. Once we learned this, we had one goal: become an expert in Passive House construction in Melbourne. I now look back at this goal, and it’s fair to say we've hit this out of the park.
Our early Passive House projects were a steep but incredibly rewarding learning curve. We meticulously studied the principles:
Superinsulation: We embraced the concept of creating a thermal envelope so effective that heat loss becomes negligible. This meant working with advanced insulation materials and techniques, ensuring continuity and eliminating thermal bridges. We became so passionate about insulation that we had to move on from our standard insulation company because they couldn’t deliver a level of install that we would be happy with. Now we've found a team who nails it, but sometimes we even bring this in-house.
Airtightness: Achieving near-perfect airtightness was a game-changer. We learned the importance of meticulous detailing, rigorous testing (blower door tests became our close companions!), and the profound impact this has on preventing drafts and energy waste. This is a fun tool for us; we get excited to see how low we can get on our projects. To date, our highest score on a passive house is .41ACH.
High-Performance Windows and Doors: We carefully selected components with exceptional U-values and airtight seals, understanding their crucial role in maintaining internal temperatures. We've worked with uPVC and Aluclad.
Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR): Introducing controlled ventilation with highly efficient heat recovery systems was revolutionary. We witnessed how fresh, filtered air could be constantly supplied while recovering a significant portion of the outgoing heat, leading to superior indoor air quality and energy savings. This is what I feel is the most important aspect of any home in Melbourne.
Thermal Bridge-Free Design: Every connection point, every junction became a critical detail to analyse and design to eliminate thermal bridges – those sneaky pathways for heat to escape.
Through these projects, we developed a deep understanding of the intricate dance between these principles. You'll often find our team installing insulation in the tightest and most obscure spots to prevent these thermal bridges (that's why our team are passive house construction experts in Melbourne). We also collaborate closely with leading passive house architects to ensure every design aligns with these rigorous standards from the outset.
We learned that achieving Passive House certification isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about a holistic approach to design and construction where every element works in harmony. We saw firsthand the incredible comfort levels achieved – consistent temperatures year-round, no more cold spots or drafts, and a remarkably quiet indoor environment. But becoming passive house experts in Melbourne wasn’t just through hard work. It was through making tons of mistakes, some costly, but it’s all about learning and growing. We are a sum of all of our mistakes and learnings, and that's why we consider ourselves one of the leaders in Passive House Construction in Melbourne.
If you want to know more about building a Passive House in Melbourne, head to the contact section and say hi.