Passive House is both a building and a building methodology. Considered by the design and construction industry to be the most meticulous standard based on energy and health standards, it’s no surprise that Passive House buildings consume up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling than your traditionally-built home.
Passive House is an internationally recognised science-based, high-performance building standard that can be applied to any building.
SO WHAT MAKES A BUILDING ‘PASSIVE’?
So What Makes a Building ‘Passive’?
The methodology in the construction of your home is the key to Passive House certifications. Hallmarks of a Passive House are a continual, uninterrupted supply of filtered, clean air with temperatures moderated to comfortable levels at all times, resulting in a considerably reduced energy level required to heat and cool your home.
Temperatures at both ends of the scale, noisy neighbours and times of poor air quality are all moderated by the closure of windows and the supply of fresh indoor air by way of a mechanical ventilation system with a high-quality heat exchanger.
The retention of room temperatures and the reduction in the need for heating and cooling through passive measures. These measures deal with the nitty-gritty of the construction of your home such as improved insulation, high-quality window frames and glass, optimal use of passive solar energy and thermal mass of construction materials, exterior shade, and the minimisation of unnecessary heat loss or gain through addressing thermal bridging.
GLOSSARY
Thermal Mass – Simply put, , thermal mass is a material’s ability to absorb, store and release heat. Concrete, bricks and tiles absorb and store heat and therefore have high thermal mass. Timber and cloth do not absorb and store heat and therefore have low thermal mass.
Thermal Bridging – Is the movement of heat across an object that is more conductive than the materials around it. The conductive material creates a path of least resistance for heat. Thermal bridging is a considerable contributor to energy loss in homes and buildings, leading to higher energy bills.