The Component Award recognizes innovation, performance, and sustainability in building components. It highlights products and technologies that enhance living comfort, improve energy efficiency, and increase the durability in buildings. The award builds on a long-standing tradition of research and development within the Passive House Institute related to high-performance components and retrofit methodologies.

In recent years, retrofit has become an increasingly important focus area. However, these type of projects often face practical limitations, such as restricted access, occupied buildings, listed façades, cost constraints, or the need to phase renovation works over time.

Explore the full list of innovate building components certified by the Passive House Institute here: Component Database

Retrofitting is a key pillar of climate protection and energy-efficiency strategies, yet significant challenges remain in terms of technical feasibility, cost, and practical implementation. The award-winning manufacturers were showcased at the 28th International Passive House Conference in Essen, highlighting innovative approaches to high-performance window replacement in existing buildings. This publication documents all submitted solutions and includes FEM simulations and thermal modelling results for the various refurbishment stages. It also introduces the new EnerPHit add-on certification pathway for retrofit applications and highlights future developments in Certified Renovation Systems.

2026 Component Award Booklet

Learn more in the webinar: Window replacement solutions from the Component Award 2026

Award winners

Beyond recognising outstanding installation concepts, the 2026 Component Award also served as a platform for developing new certification approaches for high-performance retrofits. One of the most important outcomes is the new EnerPHit Certified Component add-on. The aim of this seal, rather than introducing a separate certification, is to complement the existing Passive House Component Certification by identifying window frames, window systems and window mounting systems that have also been assessed for step-by-step retrofit applications. As shown in the figure below, the additional seal is integrated directly into the component certificate, making retrofit suitability immediately visible to planners and designers. The assessment methodology and certification requirements are incorporated into the Certification Criteria for Transparent Components.

The assessment follows the two renovation sequences most commonly encountered in practice: replacing the windows before adding façade insulation, or insulating the façade before replacing the windows. In both cases, the evaluation considers not only the completed retrofit but also the intermediate construction stage, ensuring that appropriate levels of moisture safety, thermal performance and occupant comfort are maintained throughout the renovation process.

The same methodology formed the basis for evaluating all submissions to this year's award.

While the EnerPHit Certified Component add-on focuses on step-by-step renovation, this is only one of the approaches currently being developed. In parallel, the Passive House Institute has introduced the new Certified Renovation Systems certification category to promote integrated retrofit solutions that combine high thermal performance with simplified installation and greater scalability. The category is designed to recognise packaged renovation concepts ranging from façade and window systems to comprehensive whole-building solutions. Further information is available in the Certification Criteria for Certified Renovation Systems.

In recent years, excellent progress has been made with reference to the thermal quality of windows.In order to make a significant contribution to climate protection, these further improved windows must enter the global mainstream. To create an impetus and contribute to accelerate the uptake of windows that represent the cutting edge in terms of thermal efficiency, the Passive House Institute has conducted this award as part of the AZEB-Project, supported by the European Union. Window manufacturers from all over the world took part in the award: 3 companies from 12 countries took part in the competition with 31 products and variants. The jury awarded 10 regular prizes and 4 special prizes.

2019 Component Award Documentation

Article: Conference proceeding article - 2019 Component Award
Article: Economic efficiency of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy for space heating - separately and in combination

Award winners

The Component Award 2018 was awarded for ventilation solutions for residential buildings. The housing sector is once again experiencing steady growth after years of stagnation. The 2018 Component Award focused on cost-effective ventilation solutions for new residential constructions. A multi-storey building consisting of differently sized apartments with living areas between 50 and 100 m² was to be equipped with an overall ventilation system. We sought solutions with both low investment costs and a high level of energy efficiency.

2018 Component Award Brochure: Ventilation concepts for residential building

Article: Overall cost analysis with full finance plan and comparison of life cycle costs

Award winners

Ventilation with heat recovery is indispensable for energy efficient construction and retrofitting. In existing buildings, this becomes necessary either before or by the time the windows are replaced, with the associated improvement of airtightness. A well thought-out overall concept is essential in the process, with a compact duct network, low-cost devices and flexible installation solutions. All these aspects were diligently examined during the assessment of the submitted entries for the Component Award, in each case with a critical eye on the life cycle costs.

2016 Component Award Brochure - Ventilation concepts for energy retrofits

Article: Component Award 2016: Affordable ventilation solutions for retrofits
Article: Overall cost analysis with full finance plan and comparison of life cycle costs

Award winners

The main challenge in the Component Award 2015 for Passive House windows was that the product had to show a degree of flexibility since refurbishments are often carried out in a step-by-step manner. Ideal windows had to deliver excellent results during the transitional period as well as after the completion of all refurbishment measures. The cost effectiveness of the windows was assessed first and foremost, with a comparison of purchase costs with potential savings. The award is presented on 17 April at the International Passive House Conference 2015 in Leipzig.

Flyer Component Award 2015

Award winners

A total of eleven Passive House windows were recognized in the first Passive House Component Awards. The real winners, however, are the building owners, for the results of this international competition demonstrate that it is possible to save money with highly efficient building components. Manufacturers offered their products at retail prices including installation for an example building. For each of the four categories, “PVC,” “Wood,” “Wood/Aluminium,” and “Aluminium,” the overall investment and energy costs saved in comparison with standard windows were the decisive factor. The Award was presented at the International Passive House Conference from 25 to 26 April 2014 in Aachen, Germany.

Award winners

Windows

Ventilation

Certified Passive House Components

International cooperations