A Passive House is a building designed to use less energy while still being comfortable to live in. The idea was developed in 1996 by the Passivhaus Institute and is now used around the world. It isn’t just about saving energy; it’s also about creating homes that feel warm in winter, cool in summer and quiet all year round.
Benefits of Passive Houses
Instead of relying on heating systems or air conditioning, Passive Houses are designed to make the most of natural heat from the sun, good shading and controlled ventilation. Features like a Brise Soleil, like the examples seen here https://alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading can help block too much summer sun while still letting in light. Fresh air is provided through mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, which keeps indoor air clean while reusing heat that would otherwise be lost.
What are the requirements?
To meet the standard, a building must pass lots of strict tests. It can only use 15 kWh of heating energy per square metre each year, which is much lower than a normal house. Total energy use for heating, hot water and electricity must not go over 60 kWh per square metre per year and the building must also be very airtight, with no more than 0.6 air changes per hour.
How is it built?
Passive Houses follow five main principles: high-quality insulation, no thermal bridges, airtight construction, excellent windows and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. When all of this is done properly, the result is a home that’s very efficient, warm and comfortable to live in.