Ergohome Arctic

Ergohome announces specification for “Arctic” model

Recent challenging weather in the UK has been an excellent test for our Ergohomes in field trials. Quite rarely for the UK, we have had extensive snow in November but even more notably, sub zero temperatures day and night for consecutive days. 

Duvet Design

Observant folk will have noticed how in these conditions ice crystals spontaneously grow, see deposition on the Ergohome exterior render (shown above). All Ergohomes feature a rain screen cladding that is mounted on battens away from the SIPs structure.  This cladding design acts like a very large “duvet” trapping a layer of insulative air around the outside of the home. You can see how the exterior of our homes are not shedding warmth (melting the crystals)

The Day after Tomorrow

Ergohome performed really well during the freeze, we just had to turn the heating up a little. The extreme weather did remind us of that US disaster movie – “the day after tomorrow” where freezing weather grips the northern hemisphere. It also led us to think about the kind of up-grades that would be necessary for an “arctic” version, fit for a continuous –20 Deg C running.

Arctic Specification

1) Triple Glazed Windows  (improved resistance to conducted heat loss)

2) Additional insulation thickness (Better U-value)

3) Window Shutters (Protection against drifting snow)

4) Water to Air heat exchanger for MVHR  (Pre-heating incoming air)

5) Wood burning stove (For fuel diversity and traditional "cabin" living)

6) Phase Change Materials (Store daytime heat then releases at night)

After Freeze comes thaw and FLOOD

Remember that Ergohome is protected against flood because of its pad foundations and jackleg structure. Do you live in Scotland or similar where these conditions aren’t so rare? Could the Ergohome answer your needs?