36. Passivhaus Open Day 2026

suerowlands47

Oct 21

2 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

The EcoBungalow is once again taking part in the open days organised by the Passivhaus Trust. See inside a retrofit of a very ordinary 1970s bungalow, built to Passivhaus principles to make it a comfortable, healthy low-energy building. We’d love you to join us!

What is the EcoBungalow?

The project is a deep retrofit of a suburban 1970s bungalow in the Cumbrian town of Kendal. It involves high levels of insulation, an extraordinary airtightness of just 0.2 ACH, a very efficient Air Source Heat Pump, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and an emerging wildlife-friendly garden.

It aimed for EnerPHit, with AECB Level 2 as a minimum standard. It isn’t certified as budget constraints meant we couldn’t meet all of the EnerPHit targets. However, it is a great example of how designing and building with Passivhaus principles can achieve low energy bills and a very comfortable home.

What stage is the project at?

The project was completed in 2024, so has now been lived in for two years.

What will I learn?

You’ll learn what was involved in the design and construction of the EcoBungalow, including how much it cost. With two years lived experience, there will be lots of information on what it’s like to live in a home like this and how much the energy bills are.

What’s special about the EcoBungalow?

The airtightness of 0.2 ACH is exceptional. It not only meets EnerPHit requirements, it is better than the Passivhaus new build standard. What this means is the Air Source Heat Pump and MVHR run very, very efficiently. So the internal temperature is stable and energy use (and bills!) is very low.

Will I be able to ask questions?

Yes! There will be a short presentation to provide information about the EcoBungalow, but the main aim of the day is to share knowledge so that you can go away with a better idea of what it takes to retrofit an existing building and how it feels to live in a Passivhaus.