What is a Passive House? Complete West Midlands Guide
- Pawel Okurowski
- Jul 24
- 5 min read
What is a Passive House?
West Midlands Climate & Passive Houses
APMBuild's Passive House Approach
If you're considering building or renovating a home in the West Midlands, you've likely heard about 'energy-efficient homes' and 'sustainable construction.' But have you heard about passive houses? As a PHI-certified passive house builder with 20+ years experience serving Birmingham, Coventry, and the wider West Midlands, I'm Pawel from APMBuild Ltd, and I'm here to explain exactly what passive houses are and why they're revolutionizing home construction in our region.
Having worked in passive construction across Europe before establishing APMBuild Ltd in the West Midlands, I've seen firsthand how passive house principles can transform both new builds and renovations. Let me share everything you need to know about passive houses specifically for West Midlands homeowners.
What is a Passive House?
A passive house (or Passivhaus) is a building standard that dramatically reduces energy consumption while maintaining exceptional comfort levels year-round. Developed by the Passive House Institute (PHI) in Germany, this standard requires buildings to use 90% less energy for heating and cooling compared to conventional homes.
The five key principles of passive house design are:
1. Superior Insulation Continuous insulation eliminates thermal bridges, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer with minimal energy input.
2. High-Performance Windows and Doors Triple-glazed windows and insulated door frames prevent heat loss. At APMBuild, we source these directly from European manufacturers like Wiśniowski and Drutex, bringing German technology to West Midlands homes.
3. Airtight Construction Meticulous attention to sealing prevents unwanted air leakage, ensuring your heating and cooling systems work efficiently.
4. Thermal Bridge-Free Design Careful construction details eliminate cold spots and condensation issues common in traditional UK homes.
5. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery A ventilation system provides fresh air while recovering heat from outgoing air, maintaining perfect indoor air quality.
To achieve passive house certification, a building must meet strict energy performance requirements: heating demand must not exceed 15 kWh per square meter per year. For context, a typical UK home uses 100-200 kWh/m²/year for heating alone.
West Midlands Climate & Passive Houses
Many homeowners ask me: "Do passive houses work in the UK climate?" The answer is absolutely yes. In fact, the West Midlands climate is ideal for passive house construction.
Our region experiences moderate temperatures with heating degree days similar to Germany, where passive house standards were developed. The key difference is managing moisture in our wetter climate, which is where my 20+ years of experience becomes crucial.
Climate Considerations for West Midlands:
Average winter temperatures: 2-7°C
High humidity levels requiring careful vapor barrier design
Moderate summer temperatures (rarely exceeding 25°C)
Frequent rain requiring robust weatherproofing
Case Study: Birmingham Victorian Terrace Conversion Last year, we completed a £500,000 passive house renovation of a Victorian terrace in Birmingham. The original home had energy bills of £3,200 annually. After our passive house renovation, the homeowners now pay just £400 per year for heating and cooling - a 87% reduction.
The project involved:
External wall insulation with German-specification materials
Wiśniowski triple-glazed windows throughout
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system
Airtightness testing achieving 0.4 air changes per hour
APMBuild's Passive House Approach
My journey in passive construction began over 20 years ago in Poland, continued through Germany and Mallorca, before I established APMBuild Ltd in the West Midlands. This European experience gives us unique advantages:
PHI Certification Matters As a PHI-certified builder, I understand the technical requirements and common pitfalls. Many UK builders attempt "passive house-inspired" construction without proper certification, resulting in underperforming buildings.
European Material Sourcing We maintain direct relationships with European manufacturers, particularly Wiśniowski for windows and doors, and Drutex for additional glazing solutions. This ensures authentic passive house components at competitive prices.
Personal Involvement Unlike large construction companies, I personally oversee every passive house project. This attention to detail ensures every thermal bridge is eliminated and every seal is perfect.
Recent West Midlands Success: Coventry New Build Our recent £800,000 passive house new build in Coventry demonstrates what's possible. This 200m² family home:
Uses just £300 annually for heating and cooling
Maintains 20-22°C year-round with minimal energy input
Features underfloor heating powered by a small heat pump
Achieved 0.3 air changes per hour (exceeding passive house requirements)
Passive House Investment: West Midlands Reality Check
The most common question I receive is about costs. Let me provide honest, West Midlands-specific figures based on our recent projects.
Initial Investment:
New build passive house: 10-15% premium over conventional construction
Passive house renovation: 20-25% premium over standard renovation
Typical new build: £800,000 for 200m² family home
Typical renovation: £500,000 for complete passive house conversion
Annual Energy Savings: Based on current West Midlands energy prices:
Conventional home heating/cooling: £2,500-3,500 annually
Passive house heating/cooling: £300-500 annually
Annual savings: £2,000-3,000
Return on Investment:
Additional passive house investment: £80,000-120,000
Annual energy savings: £2,500 average
Payback period: 8-12 years
Property value increase: 10-15%
Government Incentives Available:
Green Homes Grant (when available)
Renewable Heat Incentive for heat pumps
Local council energy efficiency grants
Enhanced Capital Allowances for businesses
Passive House vs. "Energy Efficient Homes" Many builders advertise "energy efficient homes" or "sustainable construction," but these terms are often marketing without substance. Here's the difference:
Feature | "Energy Efficient" Home | Passive House |
Energy Standard | Building Regulations minimum | 90% less energy than conventional |
Certification | None required | Independent PHI verification |
Performance Guarantee | None | Guaranteed energy performance |
Comfort Level | Variable | Consistent 20-22°C year-round |
Air Quality | Standard ventilation | Filtered fresh air continuously |
Getting Started: Your Passive House Journey with APMBuild
If you're considering a passive house project in the West Midlands, here's how we can help:
Free Passive House Assessment We offer complimentary site assessments to determine passive house feasibility for your property. This includes:
Energy performance analysis of existing building
Passive house upgrade options and costs
Planning permission and building regulation guidance
Timeline and project management overview
Our Process:
Initial Consultation - Understanding your needs and budget
Detailed Design - Creating passive house-compliant plans
Planning Applications - Managing all regulatory requirements
Construction - Personal oversight of every detail
Commissioning - Testing and certification
Handover - Training on your new passive house systems
Typical Timeline:
Design and planning: 3-6 months
Construction (new build): 12-18 months
Construction (renovation): 8-15 months
Total project duration: 18 months average
Planning Considerations for West Midlands:
Most passive house projects require planning permission
Building control approval essential for energy performance
Party wall agreements for terraced house renovations
Conservation area considerations in historic Birmingham/Coventry areas
Why Choose APMBuild for Your Passive House Project?
Proven Experience: 20+ years in passive construction across Europe Local Knowledge: Established in West Midlands for over 10 years PHI Certification: Qualified to deliver authentic passive house performance European Connections: Direct material sourcing for competitive pricing Personal Service: Owner involvement in every project Complete Service: From initial design to final certification
Ready to Transform Your West Midlands Home?
Passive houses represent the future of comfortable, sustainable living. With energy bills continuing to rise and climate concerns growing, there's never been a better time to invest in passive house construction or renovation.
Whether you're planning a new build in Birmingham, renovating a period property in Coventry, or considering a passive house conversion anywhere in the West Midlands, APMBuild Ltd has the experience and expertise to deliver exceptional results.
Contact APMBuild Ltd today:
Phone: +44 7711266107
Email: pawel.info@pmbuild.co.uk
Website: www.apmbuild.co.uk
Free Consultation Available Book your complimentary passive house assessment and discover how we can transform your home into a comfortable, energy-efficient passive house that will save you thousands of pounds annually while improving your quality of life.
APMBuild Ltd - Your PHI-certified passive house specialists serving Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and the wider West Midlands region.
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