for planning and implementation of Passive Houses

(⇒: Quality assurance is necessary)

1. Development plan

• Good public transport connections
• South-oriented main facade (± 30°) and large south-facing window areas
• Avoid shading in order to utilise passive solar energy
• Shade-free vegetation
• Are compact building shapes possible? Buildings in rows are advantageous.

2. Preliminary planning

• Compact building structure; avail of the possibilities for building extensions
• Glazing areas facing south are optimal, windows facing east/west/north should be kept small.
• Avoid shading (no or minimal shading in winter from parapets, porches, balconies, roof overhangs, partitions etc.)
• Simple structure of envelope surface (preferably without dormers or recesses etc.)
• Layout: keep installation zones together (e.g. bathroom over or next to kitchen), taking into account necessary ventilation ducts
• Separation of any existing basement level: airtight and free of thermal bridges
• ⇒ Use PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) to set up the energy balance of the building. The SketchUp plugin designPH allows a quick 3-D data entry.
• Application for Passive House certification to the Passive House Institute or another certifier accredited by the PHI.
• Check out and apply for Passive Houses subsidies by the Development Loan Corporation (KfW), for example

3. Planning approval

• Include planning of the insulation thicknesses for the building envelope
• Avoid thermal bridges
• Include planning of building services
• Layout: short pipes (for hot water, cold water, waste water) and short ventilation ducts
• Cold air ducts outside of the envelope; warm ducts within the envelope

4. Implementation planning of the building structure

• Highly insulated standard constructions (standard: U ≤ 0,15 W/(m²K); aim for U = 0,1 W/(m²K))
• ⇒ Thermal bridge free connection details: calculation or thermal bridge free design
• ⇒ Airtight connection details
• Window optimisation (type of glazing, superior frame, glazing ratio, solar protection)
• ⇒ Calculation of the specific energy demand; use the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP)

5. Implementation planning of the ventilation system

• Ductwork: cold air ducts should not be located inside the building envelope; if this is unavoidable then they should be very short and very well-insulated. Warm air ducts should not be located on the outside of the envelope, if this is unavoidable, then these should be very short and extremely well-insulated.
• Short, smooth-walled ducts; flow velocities 3 m/s; include measurement and adjustment devices; acoustic protection; fire protection
• Air outlets: avoid short-circuiting of air flows; throw distance of nozzle; possibility of adjustment
• Extract air outlets: should not be positioned above heaters (if present)
• Transferred air openings should be dimensioned to Δp ≤ 1 Pa
• Ventilation: central unit, for example, selected from the range of certified units in the component database. Please note: Certified components are not mandatory for certified buildings, but they make it easy to ensure the performance mets the requirements.
• Position heat exchanger near the thermal envelope; ideal installation locations are in the envelope or in the basement.
• Post-heating coils inside the warm envelope
• Possibly additional insulation of central unit and post-heating coils
• Heat recovery rate ≥ 75%; airtight (recirculated air < 3%); electrical efficiency (< 0,4 Wh/m³)
• Adjustability; acoustic insulation; highly insulated device casing
• Adjustment of the ventilation system: User-controlled “low”, “normal”, “high”; Possibly additional switch in kitchens, bathrooms and toilets for use when required.
• Extractor hoods: high rate of extraction with low volumetric flow; grease filter
• Subsoil heat exchanger optionally
• Airtightness; cold pipe sections should be kept at a distance from the house; bypass (summer)

6. Implementation planning of remaining building services

• Plumbing and hot water: short pipes, well-insulated, within the envelope
• Plumbing, cold water: short pipes, normally insulated against surface condensation
• Insulate fittings for hot water and heating
• Water-saving taps; hot water connections at washing machines and dishwashers
• Waste water: short pipes (only one downpipe), roof vents (preferable) or insulated vent pipe
• Plumbing and electrical installations: avoid penetrations in the airtight building envelope as far as possible; where this is unavoidable, ensure airtightness!
• Use energy-saving household appliances (it is useful to make an inventory for the PHPP)
• Carry out quality control for the entire building services

7. Execution, construction management for building structure

• ⇒ Absence of thermal bridges: Schedule for quality assurance on site
• ⇒ Insulation work: Uninterrupted insulation layers; avoid hollow spaces
• ⇒ Airtightness: Check connection details as long as they remain accessible
• ⇒ Airtightness: Carry out the airtightness test during the construction period!
• When? As soon as the airtight envelope has been formed but is still accessible, i.e. before interior finishing (coordination with other disciplines!)
• How? n₅₀ test using e.g. BlowerDoor; including leak detection

8. Execution, construction management for ventilation system

• ⇒ Penetrations: airtight
• Ducts: install these in a clean state, seal carefully
• Central unit: accessibility of the filter for replacement; acoustic insulation
• Check insulation of ducts (where necessary)
• ⇒ Calibration of the air flows during normal operation
• Measurement of supply air and extract air flows; adjustment of balance; adjustment of supply air and extract air distribution; measurement of the electrical power consumption.

9. Execution, construction management for remaining building services

• ⇒ Check: airtight penetrations
• ⇒ Check: thermal insulation of pipes

10. Certificate

• Receive the certificate and certification booklet for your ”Certified Passive House” from the Passive House Institute or other certifier accredited by the PHI.
• Install the "Certified Passive House" wall plaque
• Participate at the International Passive House Days
  
  

Planning a Passive House

Building a Passive House

Built examples