The council's new service building in Penrith has become the first of its kind in the UK to receive a prestigious energy efficiency certification.

Westmorland and Furness Council's Voreda House has been awarded the 'PassivHaus EnerPHit' certification, signifying its achievement as an energy-efficient retrofit building.

The certification, granted by accredited PassivHaus certifiers Etude, is given to buildings that have ‘the best internal comfort, minimal impact on the environment, the lowest operating cost’.

Voreda House has met these standards through a series of modifications, including external insulation, triple glazing, and the installation of air source heat pumps and solar panels.

These changes have resulted in a 68 per cent reduction in energy usage, saving 'over £15,000 compared to the same period in 2023 for combined electricity and gas expenditure at Penrith Town Hall and Mansion House.'

The PassivHaus standard, conceived in Germany, is increasingly popular with UK builders and is known for being 'the world’s leading standard in energy efficient design.'

Buildings must meet specific requirements for insulation, ventilation, and heat retention to become PassivHaus certified.

Cllr Giles Archibald, cabinet member for climate, biodiversity, and environmental services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "By adhering to PassivHaus criteria in the retrofit of Voreda House, energy savings following its completion are contributing positively to the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and providing leadership in the drive to be carbon net zero.

"The benefits of building in this way will result in a consistent supply of fresh air throughout the building, meaning higher quality and more hygienic air supply.

"The durability of the building has been improved as well as the significant reduction in costs to heat and cool the building."

Voreda House's improvements include solar panels that are estimated to generate 'around a third' of the building’s energy requirements.

Cllr Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways and assets at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "Having the first UK retrofit building of this type to gain PassivHaus EnerPHit certification within our portfolio of assets is a massive achievement for Westmorland and Furness Council.

"Voreda House is being presented as a positive case study within the construction and decarbonisation industries and is featured as an outstanding example at the 2024 UK PassivHaus Conference.

"It reflects our ambition to manage our buildings in a modern, positive and environmentally efficient way."

Voreda House is a hub for a full range of public-facing services, including children's services, adult social care, housing, public health, trading standards, and waste.