Passivhaus Retrofit Planning Made Simple: How a Retrofit Menu Can Save Time, Money, and Stress
There is a common misconception that Passivhaus retrofitting is inherently complex or inflexible. The reality however, is quite the opposite—provided you take the time to plan. With careful forethought and a well-structured approach, a deep retrofit can be as manageable—and as rewarding—as baking. With proper planning retrofting to Passivhaus can be made simple.
Introducing the Retrofit Menu: A Smarter Way to Plan
Think of your retrofit project like preparing a feast. You wouldn’t start cooking without knowing the recipe, would you? Similarly, a whole house retrofit should begin with a clear plan. A retrofit “menu” that breaks the project into manageable, sequenced steps. This ensures that each part of the retrofit supports the whole, avoiding wasted effort, unnecessary expense, or the frustration of having to undo previous work.
A staged retrofit plan is your recipe. It lays out every key step before you begin, helping you coordinate elements efficiently and avoid missing critical ingredients. Just as in baking, you can use a fork to whisk your eggs—technically it works—but a professional whisk gets better results, faster. In retrofit terms, this means bringing together the right team from the start. Having experienced designers, contractors, and consultants on board is like equipping your kitchen with quality tools—it saves time and ensures a higher quality outcome.
Real-World Example: The Parklands EnerPHit Plus – Retrofit in Phases
An excellent real-world example of this approach is the Parklands EnerPHit Plus. This family home is being upgraded in carefully planned stages. This allows the occupants to maintain their daily routines and work commitments. By phasing the retrofit, they’ve made meaningful progress towards the EnerPHit Plus standard, without having to compromise their lifestyle.
The Parklands project demonstrates how powerful a staged approach can be. By following a carefully designed plan, each step complements the next, building towards a high-performance home that is energy efficient, comfortable, and future-ready. The phased work ensures that nothing is done twice, and no opportunities are missed—a seamless integration of efficiency and practicality.
Ready to start your retrofit Journey?
If you’re considering a retrofit, now is the time to begin crafting your own recipe. Take the first step towards a low-energy future by reaching out to develop a bespoke whole house plan—your retrofit menu for success.
Email studio@edc.eco to arrange a visit to the Parklands EnerPHit Plus home during the Passivhaus Open Days in June, or to find out more about how a whole house plan can help to make Passivhaus retrofit planning simple and help you achieve your dream home.
