Sustainable: Passive House Principles

Passive House is one way to build sustainably. The main benefit is the efficiency of the design. It utilizes a bit more materials but offers a considerable reduction in heating and cooling costs.

If you want an ultra-low energy building that requires little energy for space heating and cooling, here are the core principles of Passive House design:

1. Thermal Insulation

High levels of insulation are applied to walls, roofs, and floors to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Temperatures inside the building tend to remain very constant and pleasant.

2. Airtightness

The building envelope is designed to be extremely airtight, preventing the infiltration of outside air and loss of conditioned air. Airtight building envelopes require proper management of humidity and condensation. Mechanical ventilation and dehumidification is required.

3. High-Performance Windows

Triple-pane windows with low-emissivity coatings and insulated frames reduce heat transfer and are crucial for maintaining indoor temperature.

4. Thermal Bridge-Free Construction

Careful design and construction avoid thermal bridges (areas where heat can bypass insulation), ensuring consistent insulation throughout the building.

5. Ventilation with Heat Recovery

A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery ensures fresh air circulation while capturing heat from exhaust air to warm incoming fresh air. Dehumidification is a necessary component in most climates.

6. Passive Solar Heating

The building is oriented and designed to maximize solar gain in winter and minimize it in summer. Windows are strategically placed and or protected by overhangs to optimize natural heating and lighting.

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