Kit Knowles, Chorlton

Visit the UK's greenest Victorian retrofit. The Zetland Passive House is Europe's first Passivhaus EnerPHit Plus home. These luxurious 5-bedroom townhouses are a showcase of sustainable building from the exterior finish to the interior decor.

These family homes achieved Passivhaus Enerphit Plus certification, air pressure test result of 0.86ACH and a 95% reduction in space heating demand. Using PV powered hot water tanks and a 2kw post heater piggy backing the MVHR system, the need for a traditional central heating system has disappeared along with the energy bills.

The average UK house produces 8.1 tonnes of CO₂; with a Victorian townhouse of this size typically coming in well over 10 tonnes. The GEMIS (German) factor, CO₂eq substitution balance, calculated in PassivHaus Planning Package estimates a 7 fold reduction for these properties! Whole house demand generates 3229kg/a CO₂ -1735.5kg/a for renewables (further ~54% improvement) resulting in 1.494kg/a of CO₂ per dwelling. 

Although PassivHaus certification was a key part of the design, there were several other high level philosophies adopted in order to push the boundaries of sustainability as far as possible: 

• Working within the existing footprint, using tiny house design principles to prevent the need to extend, reducing -embodied energy
• Retention of existing fabric to minimise waste and maximise thermal mass potential
• Working solely with local artisans to dress the property with petrochemical free furnishings
• Breathable, natural, petrochemical free building fabric
• Healthy internal environment (air filters, humidity control, VOC and CO₂ absorbing materials etc.)

Achieving these results with a Victorian property presented many challenges and required a huge amount of innovation and collaboration with 100+ predominantly local suppliers, consultants and professionals. 8 world first technologies have been developed/trialled, 106 details generated and 28 construction build-ups created with associated U-values, thermal bridges and moisture profiles calculated. 

U-values (W/m2K) - Front walls: 0.175, Side walls: 0.116, Rear walls: 0.132, Floors: 0.165, Roof: 0.108-0.148, Windows - 0.7(uninstalled), Doors: 0.8(uninstalled), Rooflight: 0.81.

Energy efficiency measures installed:

• 2.5 artic lorry loads of wood fiber and cellulose (recycled newspaper)
• Development of new blown insulation application techniques for retrofit projects.
• Triple glazed passivhaus units, stained glass windows and doors
• LED lighting throughout house (strip and filament LED),
• Appliances with a minimum A++ energy rating
• Central heating free design (post heater only)
• Mixergy tank technology with novel thermocline control, powered by excess PV electricity
• 10kW Photovoltaic Thermal System , DiBT accredited efficient Log Burning Stove
• MVHR - Paul Novus 300
• Flow restricted aerated taps and showers throughout and grey water recycling toilets
• Lime plaster/render, Timber frame hybrid construction, copper/brass/lead, breathable magnesium construction boards, Intello beating Siga intelligent building membrane and tapes
• Draught free, damp free, constant temperature, controlled humidity
• Retained existing fabric, no extensions added in the name of carbon reduction.
• Full conservation approach to restore Victorian feel.

For more about this property visit: www.ecospheric.co.uk/zetland

Travel information

tram: Exit at the Chorlton Metrolink tram stop. Cross Wilbraham Road and walk down Corkland Road. Turn right onto Zetland Road. The Zetland Passive Homes are on the right side.

bus: take the #23, #25, #85, #86 bus to the Chorlton Bus Station on Barlow Moor Road (M21 8DQ). Walk north along Barlow Moor Road and go right onto Zetland Road beside Chorlton Central Church. The Zetland Passive House is on the left near the end of Zetland Road.

car: There is limited street parking outside the homes.

Accessibility

There are stairs to enter the property and 3 flights of stairs accessible within the property. 

Those with mobility restrictions may find it difficult to traverse.