Table of Contents
Component Award
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.
Component Award 2026 – Windows
Retrofitting plays a central role in climate protection and energy efficiency strategies, yet it remains a challenge when it comes to technical feasibility and cost. This is particularly true for window replacements in existing buildings, which often face barriers in planning, logistics, and execution. With this award, the Passive House Institute invites manufacturers, system providers, craftsmen, and interdisciplinary teams to rethink how Passive House windows can be integrated into existing façades with minimal disruption, high energy performance, and smart prefabrication strategies. The aim: practical solutions that simplify the retrofit process and demonstrate that step-by-step renovation using high-performance components is not only possible – but scalable.
The registration period for the 2026 Component Award has ended and we will publish the result soon!
Award ceremony
The winners will be honored at the International Passive House Conference 2026 in Essen, where the best solutions will be presented and added to the Passive House component database. Participants who use certified products can also qualify for the EnerPHit component seal.
Component Award 2019 – Windows
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
| Windows in Cold climate | Windows in cool temperature climate | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | PAZEN120, Harbin Sayyas Windows | ENERsign primus, ENERsign GmbH |
| 2nd Prize | smartwin solar, Advantage Architectural Woodworks and i2 factory | TIMM C87 I –A / -H / -M + W87 –A / -H - / - M, Timm Fensterbau, Blaugelb Triotherm+ |
| 3rd Prize | PURISTA ALPINE, OPTIWIN: Stich Consulting | smartwin compact hpl triple, PARK Byoungyoeol, Architecture Studio Time, Human and Space |
| Aluminium in cool temperate climate | Timber Aluminium in warm, temperate climate | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | Moser 115 Aluminium System Passive Window, Hebei Orient Sundar Window Co. Ltd | smartwin compact, Daimaru Kogyo, Blumer Lehman, SEDA |
| 2nd Prize | Pural eco90, Beijing Wuddy Building Technology | ZEN, Eurofinestra s.a.s. |
| Special Prize | |
|---|---|
| Thermal protection in artic climate: | ENERsign arctis, ENERsign GmbH |
| Economy in warm, temperate climate: | NatureLine90 passive,ThermaDura |
| Shading & Installation – warm, temperate climate: | Rocky 110is, Qingdao Rocky Window Co., Ltd |
Component Award 2018 – Ventilations
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
- 1st Prize: Pluggplan, Pluggit GmbH
- 1st Prize: Fresh-r, Vaventis BV
- 2nd Prize: freeAir 100, BluMartin
- 3rd Prize: LG 2500, J. Pichler GmbH
Component Award 2016 – Ventilations
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
- 1st Prize: VAV-Box, J. Pichler GmbH
- 2nd Prize: fresh-r, Vaventis BV
- 2nd Prize: Sky 150, Michael Tribus Architecture
Component Award 2015 – Windows
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.
Award winners
- 1st Prize: Smartwin Compact S, Lorber / Pro Passivhausfenster
- 1st Prize: System Connecta, Optiwin
- 2nd Prize: Energeto 8000 view, Aluplast
- 2nd Prize: Pural Eco 90, Pural GmbH
- Special acknowledgements: DWplus Integral, Wiegand
- Special acknowledgements: Null-Fenster, Fanzola
Component Award 2014 - Windows
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
Awardees in the category Wood
- 1st Priz: Natura Optimo XLT by M Sora
- 1st Priz: Pfeffer RPS by Pfeffer
- 2nd Priz: Holz-2-Holz by Freisinger-Optiwin (certificate )
Awardees in the category Wood/Aluminium
- 1st Priz: Smartwin Compact by Lorber / pro Passivhausfenster
- 1st Priz: Futura by Bieber-Optiwin
- 2nd Priz: Alu-2-Holz by Freisinger-Optiwin
Awardees in the category Aluminium
- 1st Priz: Pural eco 90 by Pural GmbH
- 1st Priz: Frame 90 WI by Raico Bautechnik GmbH
Awardee in the category PVC
- VADB-Plus 550 by Hilzinger FBS GmbH
Special prizes
- Innovative Glazing: System DW-plus by Wiegand Fensterbau
- Lowest Heat Losses: ENERsign arctis by Pazen Fenster+Technik GmbH