Saturday, April 27, 2024

What is a Passive House? Definition, principles & requirements

passive house

We also have solar panels in a field adjacent to our house and recently signed on to receive power from wind farms. Today, PHI's standards are the most widely followed internationally, while Phius, the Passive House Institute US, separated from PHI in 2011 and sets different standards for North American buildings. The PHI standard applies the same criteria anywhere in the world; the PHIUS standard varies slightly according to location. With increasing concerns about climate change and urbanization, Passive House designs can now be found on every continent, including on Antarctica. Passive House (or Passivhaus) is a design and construction concept defined by energy efficiency, comfort, and affordability. Worldwide, it is arguably the strictest energy efficiency standard for buildings.

passive house

High quality insulation

“Think about water-conserving faucets and toilets, smart appliances that maximize energy and water performance, and other features that make living more sustainably even easier,” he says. Insulated and laminated impact windows and doors do wonders for reducing a home’s overall energy consumption, explains Manny Angelo Varas, president and CEO of homebuilder MV Group USA. If you’re replacing windows in a home, take a closer look at triple-glazed windows, also known as triple-pane windows. “These have a much better insulation value, and with the right films, can cut down on not only solar heat gain but UV rays that can damage artwork, fabrics, and finishes,” says Schneeberger. A truly passive building will have fewer than 0.6 air changes per hour (ACH), meaning that there are no air leaks and no drafts near windows or doors.

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Certification Requirements

With advances in ultra low U-value glazing, a "passive house" based (nearly) zero heating building is proposed to supersede nearly-zero energy buildings in EU. The zero heating building reduces on the passive solar design and makes the building more opened to conventional architectural design. Instead, "passive houses" sometimes have a dual purpose 800 to 1,500 watt heating and/or cooling element integrated with the supply air duct of the ventilation system, for use during the coldest days.

Air Control

Because so much heat is recovered from the ventilation, and so little is lost or gained through the walls, not much “active” heating or cooling was needed when the Passive House concept was conceived, hence the original name Passivhaus or Passive House. However, as the concept has spread geographically, the climate has warmed, and new technologies have been developed. From programmable thermostats and smart lighting systems to energy-monitoring devices and automated appliances, these technologies empower homeowners to make informed decisions about their energy consumption and reduce waste. Many can be set to function at a lower capacity when occupants are out of the house or asleep, reducing energy use by 15% to 20%.

embodied versus operational carbon

Furthermore, residential buildings account for more than 20 percent of energy consumption in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and each household releases about 8.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. As concern over interrupted service, financial impacts, and sustainable solutions grows, the demand for more efficient and resilient homes is also growing.

The Passive House Institute (PHI) is an independent research institute that has played an especially crucial role in the development of the Passive House concept - the only internationally recognised, performance-based energy standard in construction. On and off site renewable energy production can be integrated creating Net Zero Energy (NZE) buildings. The idea is first to reduce the consumption drastically and then supplement with a small system. The PASSIVE HOUSE standard has been successfully implemented worldwide with tens of thousands of buildings in all different hot and cold climates. The Phius Alliance is Phius' membership arm, consisting of more than 1,000 industry professionals from across North America. Enjoy unmatched member benefits, including access to a nationwide network of passive building professionals, exclusive resources, and discounts on trainings and events.

passive house

When and where was the concept developed?

If a house is airtight and well insulated, the indoor environment will remain warmer (or cooler) for longer—much like a good thermos that maintains the temperature of whatever you put in it. Because they are so tightly sealed, Passive House buildings need well-designed ventilation. Continuous ventilation of fresh air and the evacuation of stale air from kitchens, bathrooms, and basements is necessary to prevent smells, air pollutants, CO2, and humidity from accumulating.

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LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. Next, it is critical to control solar radiation to achieve optimal passive house design.

Read more on passive buildings

Phius-certified buildings go through a rigorous quality control process, ensuring safety for the environment and the building inhabitants. Thanks to low-energy requirements, the Passive House standard is seen as a way of dealing with climate change and eliminating the need for fossil fuels, which is why the standard is being adopted in building codes in Europe and some cities in North America. A thermal bridge exists where heat passes through a material with higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding materials. Insulation of window frames is important, too, as frames can constitute up to 10% of a window surface area and represent the greatest point of unwanted heat loss.

The eventual construction of four row houses (terraced houses or town homes) were designed for four private clients by the architectural firm Bott, Ridder and Westermeyer. The first Passivhaus residences were built in Darmstadt in 1990, and occupied by the clients the following year. "The big knob you can turn is cost of living," says Tommy Sikes, a certified financial planner and founder of Traveltirement, where he highlights affordable homes in France and Italy through a newsletter and social media channels.

One of the most valuable benefits of a passive home is how energy-efficient it can be. A passive home has the potential to use 90% less energy than a typical home, which not only helps the environment but your wallet as well. Since a passive house can heat, cool, and regulate temperatures, the monthly energy bill can end up being significantly lower than a traditional home. The topnotch insulation and ventilation help prevent heat loss and regulate temperatures so that residents can live comfortably no matter where they are inside the home. “We don’t see any new construction here in the Bay Area that is not focused on energy efficiency,” says Rick Fuller, a top agent in the San Francisco, California area; he works with 74% more single-family homes than the average agent in his area.

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