The aim of this self-build in Co Wicklow was to build an energy efficient, passive house on a budget.
In this article we cover:
- Energy efficient strategy tailored to the site
- Planning permission process in Co Wicklow
- Details of the self-managed project and how they kept on top of costs
- Design process and making use of guidelines from County Development Plans
- How the build route paid off with low energy bills
- Following the passive house blueprint without certification
- Reasons for choice of geothermal heating system and how it’s working out
- Choice of kit building method
- Tips to keep on top of the budget
House size: 360 sqm
Site size: 7 acres
Build cost: €425,000
Construction type: timber frame with external block cladding, off-site construction
Insulation: mineral wool in walls 220mm; mineral wool in roof 300mm, floor PIR board 150mm
U-values: walls 0.12 W/sqmK, roof 0.15 W/sqmK, floor 0.15 W/sqmK
Windows: alu-clad, triple glazed, argon filled, U-value of units 0.8W/sqmK
