Janet’s Corner, Isle of Man
Two three-bedroom Passivhaus certified homes have been built at Janet’s Corner in Castletown on the Isle of Man (IoM) and have now been occupied by public sector tenants for over a year. The project is part of wider efforts by the IoM Government – Department of Infrastructure’s Housing Division to encourage more sustainable construction methods in the Island and evaluate practical solutions to improve energy efficiency. The houses have also provided an opportunity for construction students at the Isle of Man College, and others within the industry, to enhance their knowledge of the Passivhaus building method and to encourage the wider development of low-energy housing.
21° was engaged as the Passivhaus Consultant to work with the IoM Government’s own Housing Division and 21°s consultancy service supported the project with a wide range of services. 21° also designed, supplied and commissioned the MVHR systems on the project.
Post-occupancy monitoring
An interim study monitoring the first year of occupancy has shown significantly lower levels of electricity and gas consumption in the two eco houses, with the homes using up to 58% less energy than the average UK household.
Results for the three-bedroom homes revealed total annual energy consumption of 9,070 kilowatt hours (property 1) and 7,589 kilowatt hours (property 2). Average annual energy consumption in the UK is 18,378kWh, according to data published by the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change.
The figures for the properties were also well inside the target (10,329kWh) required to meet the certified Passivhaus standard.
Cavity wall construction
The homes were built using cavity wall construction, the predominant building methodology on the Isle of Man.
John Payne Senior Architect at the IoM Government – Department of Infrastructure’s Housing Division
Consultancy service
21°s consultancy service provided the following services for the project:
- PHPP Modelling
- Thermal Bridge modelling
- Construction detailing
- Supporting delivery of project while on site
- Help with preparation of documentation on certification
- Training of IoM officials and building contractors
John Payne Senior Architect at the IoM Government – Department of Infrastructure’s Housing Division
Project details
Completed
2015
Case study
2017