Author Topic: Rooflights for a Passivhaus  (Read 4569 times)

Tom Robinson

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Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« on: August 11, 2009, 08:48:55 AM »
Does anyone know if it is possible to incorporate a rooflight , either fixed or openable into a Passivhaus. I have  not found any that meet the standard or are certified and need to catch more sun as the site has some coniferous trees to the south.

Paul Teather

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Re: Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2009, 05:30:09 PM »
If you need light then fit them!

My understanding is that the Triple glazing / U < 0.8 rule is a requirement for central European Passiv Haus project, not 'mild' UK!

The primary means of PH compliance is the specific Heat load, not individual heat losses, particularly through windows as these are in a state of flux with more heat gain being possible through different types of windows; Although some consistency (of high standards) is needed.

PH are interested in the point at which this heat flux becomes positive. As an example North facing windows will typically be triple glazed and small, south facing windows may be double glazed, particualrly in the South of England (possibly).

The amount of natuaral daylight available from a roof light is literaly an order of magniture more than a shaded vertical window.

Even a Velux windows, (with an external roller shutter) could be made to work!

As a quick check, I added a 1m2 'UK standard roof light' to a 200m2 PH home, increasing specific heat demand from 12.6 to 12.9, along with a slight increase in overheating risk.

I have seen triple glazed units from a company called 'Fakro'
« Last Edit: August 11, 2009, 05:49:42 PM by Paul Teather »

Mark Siddall

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Re: Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2009, 10:02:39 PM »
Have a look at this thread also:
http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=1910.0

Mark

Chris Herring

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Re: Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2009, 10:06:03 PM »
The big problem is the psi value of the installation.  All current models that I know of have bad thermal bridging in the installation.  Absoluteley must use triple glazing, as performance of double falls off much more rapidly with inclination than triple.  South facing of course need shading.  I believe Velux and Fakro both make triple glazed, but neither has addressed installation bridging issues.

Tom Robinson

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Re: Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2009, 06:24:32 PM »
Thank you. That is very helpfull.

Andy Simmonds

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Re: Rooflights for a Passivhaus
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2009, 10:09:45 AM »
We have used 3 Fakro triple glazed rooflights on our nr. passivhaus refurb. tried to improve the psi value as best we could, through insulating over as much of the frame internally as we could.

be careful: we used for view and daylight, but they can also give overheating without external blinds: PH needs solar heat in winter (rooflights bounce suns rays off at low winter angles) need to keep solar heat out summer (rooflights let heat in when sun at higher angles) so be clear what you are using the rooflights for.

 

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