Inadequate site selection decisions can eventuate in a closing-off of later desirable design options for efficient passive thermal design.

When making design decisions on thermal aspects of building materials and constructions, it is important to put them in perspective to maximise their performance – the inter-relational 'sweet-spot' – without compromising the liveability, aesthetics, buildability and economics of the completed project.

On balance, is there a long-term thermal and economic gain to be had from fitting insulation to the exterior face of a ‘slab-on-ground’ concrete floor... and is it as effective as it seems? 

No matter how high the thermal performance of a window, it remains much less than the same area of a standard insulated wall. With this in mind, it would be wise to give the location of a building's windows careful consideration.

Just like thermal mass, insulation will keep you cold if you do not use it intelligently.

Thermal mass can have a positive or negative influence on the thermal performance of a building depending upon how it is used.

We are encouraged to insulate and double glaze our homes and even to add thermal mass.  While a bare minimum of each is not good, how much and in what proportion is best? 

ALF (Annual Loss Factor) thermal simulation software, used to show compliance with NZBC-H1, was developed to analyse stand-alone houses, not for dwellings with party walls or within multi-unit developments. 

Introducing a new Detailed blog covering the many aspects of passive thermal design relating to the built environment.