Jae Cotterell, founder of Passivhaus Homes, explains the importance of the choices we make when considering our construction approach. It is possible to create a high performance home with low embodied carbon that doesn't cost the earth if we understand the process, where the impacts lie and where optimisation can make a huge difference.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Luke Smith from Build Test Solutions talks about making building performance measurement more commonplace, and how you can't manage what you don't measure.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben Adam-Smith marks five years of living in his Passivhaus home by reflecting on his self build journey and what the house has been like to live in.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Jonathan Dixon talks about incorporating home automation into a Passivhaus retrofit of a 1960s detached house, built using cross wall construction.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Ludka and Brendan Powell explain the Welsh ‘One Planet Development’ scheme and how it led them to building an off-grid, straw panel Passivhaus.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Tom Gwilliam explains what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are, how they are created and why they are unlikely to be a useful measure of how energy efficient a building is.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Alan Clarke explains the role of a mechanical services engineer on a low energy house build, in designing a heating and ventilation system that works efficiently and is affordable.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Andy Moger, from Tetlow King Planning, explains the role of a planning consultant and the benefits they can bring to a project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Beth Williams from Build Collective outlines the role of a structural engineer and explains what tasks might be undertaken on a house build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Martin Twamley from Steico explains how to use breathable internal insulation, while avoiding the risks of condensation and mould.

Check out the show notes for more information.

As someone with no previous interest or skills in DIY, Passivhaus Consultant Es Tresidder explains why he went about changing that for his own deep retrofit project.

Check out the show notes for more information:

Landscape Architect and Director of HLM Architects, Simon Bell, explains why he decided to upskill when it came to building his own house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Mark Siddall explains how thermal bypass – or air movement around insulation layers – might impact a self-build or retrofit project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Alan Budden explains how a phased retrofit might work and what preparation is required. He also shares how he's retrofitted his own home, which includes trialling an innovative roof solution.

Check out the show notes for more information.