Passivhaus buildings are more environmentally friendly, more comfortable and healthier to live in
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Much of the energy required to heat and cool buildings can actually be gained through careful planning and thoughtful design. This is not a new concept. Over millennia buildings have been built to respond to their climate. By combining innovative technologies and renewable energies with traditional methods with we can produce the buildings of the future. We strongly believe that the Passivhaus standard must be widely implemented now to meet 2050 targets.
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The good news is that Passivhaus buildings can make a huge difference to emissions reductions, whilst offering a number of other health benefits. They combine extremely low energy consumption with unparalleled thermal comfort and indoor air quality. They are adaptable to any climate in any given geographical location and are up to 90% more efficient to run compared with conventional buildings.
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The word 'passive' is used because the aim is to minimise the reliance on 'active' heating systems, which are more energy intensive, more costly and and more damaging to the environment. Passive concepts such solar heating gains, shading systems, natural ventilation and thermal mass are combined with high levels of insulation, quality glazing, thermal bridge free design, as well as airtightness paired with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
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If you'd like to find out more about how we can help please get in touch. We're always happy to discuss exciting new projects and share our experiences. For further information about Passivhaus take a look at our FAQs section below where we aim to answer some of the most common queries and bust some of those Passivhaus myths!
FAQs
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+ What is Passivhaus?
+ How do Passivhaus buildings differ from conventional buildings?
+ What are the health benefits associated with Passivhaus?
+ Are Passivhaus buildings more expensive to build?
+ Is a Passivhaus...always a house?
+ Can I retrofit my existing house to Passivhaus standards?
+ Can I improve energy efficiency and save money on my energy bills without going down the Passivhaus route?
+ Do Passivhaus buildings have to be built from sustainable materials?
+ Is it true you can't open any windows in a Passivhaus?
+ I've heard Passivhaus buildings are airtight. Isn't airtightness a bad thing?
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+ What is Passivhaus?
The terms 'passivhaus' and 'passive house' refer to a voluntary low-energy construction standard developed in Germany approximately 25 years ago. Although theoretically any building can claim to be a passivhaus, only those that are certified are verified by the Passivhaus Institute and confirmed as such. The Passivhaus construction concept is based on a set of identifiable criteria that a building can be measured against to achieve unparalleled comfort with very low energy consumption.
+ How do Passivhaus buildings differ from conventional buildings?
From the outside it is difficult to spot the difference. Like conventional buildings, Passivhaus buildings can be built from pretty much anything and in any style. The key difference is how they compare on energy efficiency and construction quality Passivhaus buildings use as much as 90% less energy when compared to conventional buildings. There are other benefits too. Passivhaus buildings reach optimum levels of thermal comfort and improved indoor air quality, so if you want a healthy living environment for your family, passivhaus is a great option.
+ What are the health benefits associated with Passivhaus?
Because passivhaus buildings filter the air they use, allergens and dangerous polluting particles can be removed to improve indoor air quality. Furthermore, passivhaus buildings are condensation free, eliminating the likelihood of damp, mildew and toxic moulds to form, which pose a significant health risk.
+ Are Passivhaus buildings more expensive to build?
Although initial investment costs in Passivhaus buildings are currently slightly higher than their conventional neighbours, they are more cost-effective throughout the building's lifespan due to extremely low running costs. With further development of skills, expertise and greater supply chain maturity, Passivhaus construction is becoming more cost effective all the time. Some inspiring low cost projects have already been built and more are to follow.
+ Is a Passivhaus...always a house?
Although the name may suggest otherwise, the Passivhaus standard can be applied to almost any type of building, not just houses. There are many beautiful and inspiring schools, offices, hotels and mass housing developments all around the world built to Passivhaus Standards.
+ Can I retrofit my existing house to Passivhaus standards?
Yes! The Passivhaus Institute has a separate certification that recognises retrofitting work, which has a lower threshold than for a full Passivhaus building. It’s a great way to prepare your house for the future, by improving energy efficiency, comfort and have greater energy security. The standard is called Enerphit. For more information contact us.
+ Can I improve energy efficiency and save money on my energy bills without going down the Passivhaus route?
There are many low cost solutions to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home. From adding insulation to your loft, or locating and repairing draughts. Taking this initiative now will not only improve levels of comfort in your home but could improve indoor air quality and save you money on your bills.
+ Do Passivhaus buildings have to be built from sustainable materials?
Whilst we always recommend using more sustainable materials to further reduce the environmental impact of your building, you could theoretically build your passivhaus building from almost anything you like, from high impact materials like concrete to carbon sequestering materials like timber. Currently, the Passivhaus standard only relates to how the building operates, not what materials you use to build it.
+ Is it true you can't open any windows in a Passivhaus?
Despite the misconception, you can open windows in a Passivhaus. In fact, it’s actually quite important to. When outdoor air temperature, humidity and air quality are right, natural ventilation is a great way to create create a healthy indoor environment for free. In urban areas where air quality is poor or when outdoor air temperatures are more extreme during summer and winter, closing windows and using mechanical ventilation will allow fresh, pollutant free air to pass through the building at just the right temperature to create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Knowing when and how best to use natural and mechanical ventilation systems will allow you to optimise heating and cooling demands in your home.
+ I've heard Passivhaus buildings are airtight. Isn't airtightness a bad thing?
As well as using natural ventilation, Passivhaus buildings use a system called Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) to deliver fresh, filtered air from outside into each of the rooms in a controlled way. To ensure the efficiency of this system it’s important that the building is meets certain airtightness criteria, but passivhaus buildings are anything but stuffy, airtight boxes. This allows them to operate extremely efficiently with improved indoor air quality.
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