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basics:what_is_a_passive_house [2019/02/21 09:46] – cblagojevicbasics:what_is_a_passive_house [2019/02/21 09:49] – cblagojevic
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-====== The Passive House has got it all ======+===== The Passive House has got it all =====
  
  
-== Comfort ==+==== Comfort ====
 The Passive House Standard offers a new level of quality pairing a maximum level of [[basics:building_physics_-_basics:thermal_comfort|comfort]] both during cold and [[basics:summer|warm months]] with reasonable construction costs – something that is repeatedly confirmed by [[operation:operation_and_experience:residents_experiences|Passive House residents]].   The Passive House Standard offers a new level of quality pairing a maximum level of [[basics:building_physics_-_basics:thermal_comfort|comfort]] both during cold and [[basics:summer|warm months]] with reasonable construction costs – something that is repeatedly confirmed by [[operation:operation_and_experience:residents_experiences|Passive House residents]].  
  
-== Quality ==+==== Quality ====
 Passive House buildings are praised for their efficiency due to their high level of insulation and their airtight design. Another important principle is [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components:thermal_envelope:minimising_thermal_bridges|“thermal bridge free design“]]: the insulation is applied without any “weak spots” around the whole building so as to eliminate cold corners as well as excessive heat losses. This method is another essential principle assuring a high level of quality and comfort in Passive House buildings while preventing damages due to moisture build up.\\  Passive House buildings are praised for their efficiency due to their high level of insulation and their airtight design. Another important principle is [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components:thermal_envelope:minimising_thermal_bridges|“thermal bridge free design“]]: the insulation is applied without any “weak spots” around the whole building so as to eliminate cold corners as well as excessive heat losses. This method is another essential principle assuring a high level of quality and comfort in Passive House buildings while preventing damages due to moisture build up.\\ 
  
-== Ecology / Sustainability ==+==== Ecology / Sustainability ====
 You may have been surprised by not finding ecological aspects mentioned at the very beginning of this article. Passive House buildings are eco-friendly by definition: They use extremely little [[basics:energy_and_ecology:primary_energy_quantifying_sustainability|primary energy]], leaving sufficient energy resources for all future generations without causing any environmental damage. The additional energy required for their construction ([[basics:energy_and_ecology:embodied_energy_and_the_passive_house_standard|embodied energy]]) is rather insignificant compared with the energy they save later on. This seems so obvious that there is no immediate need for additional illustrations. It is rather worth mentioning though, that the Passive House standard provides this level of sustainability for anyone wishing to build a new construction or renovating an older one at an affordable price – A contribution to protecting the environment. Be aware, that the principles are all published and the design tools are made available for all architects.      You may have been surprised by not finding ecological aspects mentioned at the very beginning of this article. Passive House buildings are eco-friendly by definition: They use extremely little [[basics:energy_and_ecology:primary_energy_quantifying_sustainability|primary energy]], leaving sufficient energy resources for all future generations without causing any environmental damage. The additional energy required for their construction ([[basics:energy_and_ecology:embodied_energy_and_the_passive_house_standard|embodied energy]]) is rather insignificant compared with the energy they save later on. This seems so obvious that there is no immediate need for additional illustrations. It is rather worth mentioning though, that the Passive House standard provides this level of sustainability for anyone wishing to build a new construction or renovating an older one at an affordable price – A contribution to protecting the environment. Be aware, that the principles are all published and the design tools are made available for all architects.     
  
-== Affordability ==+==== Affordability ====
 Are Passive House buildings a good investment? Passive House buildings not only save money over the long term, but are surprisingly affordable to begin with. The investment in higher quality building components required by the Passive House Standard is mitigated by the elimination of expensive heating and cooling systems. Additional financial support increasingly available in many countries makes building a Passive House all the more feasible. Learn more about [[basics:affordability|Passive Houses – affordability]].  Are Passive House buildings a good investment? Passive House buildings not only save money over the long term, but are surprisingly affordable to begin with. The investment in higher quality building components required by the Passive House Standard is mitigated by the elimination of expensive heating and cooling systems. Additional financial support increasingly available in many countries makes building a Passive House all the more feasible. Learn more about [[basics:affordability|Passive Houses – affordability]]. 
  
-== Measurement results ==+==== Measurement results ====
 Measurements carried out in 114 Passive House apartments which were part of the [[http://www.cepheus.de/|CEPHEUS]] project showed average savings of approx. 90%. In other words, the Passive House is a “factor 10 house” which only uses **one tenth** of the energy used by average houses. Please click [[Basics:Energy and ecology:Primary energy – quantifying sustainability|here]] to learn about the amount of **primary energy** this translates to. The passive house concept delivers - the savings are real, there is no performance gap. Measurements carried out in 114 Passive House apartments which were part of the [[http://www.cepheus.de/|CEPHEUS]] project showed average savings of approx. 90%. In other words, the Passive House is a “factor 10 house” which only uses **one tenth** of the energy used by average houses. Please click [[Basics:Energy and ecology:Primary energy – quantifying sustainability|here]] to learn about the amount of **primary energy** this translates to. The passive house concept delivers - the savings are real, there is no performance gap.
  
-== Versatility ==+==== Versatility ====
 Any competent architect can design a Passive House. By combining individual measures any new building anywhere in the world can be designed to reach the Passive House Standard. The versatile Passive House Standard is also increasingly being used for non-residential buildings such as administrative buildings and [[Examples:Non-residential buildings:Passive House schools|schools]]. Education on the design of passive house buildings is available on a global level with a lot of different professional trainers.  Any competent architect can design a Passive House. By combining individual measures any new building anywhere in the world can be designed to reach the Passive House Standard. The versatile Passive House Standard is also increasingly being used for non-residential buildings such as administrative buildings and [[Examples:Non-residential buildings:Passive House schools|schools]]. Education on the design of passive house buildings is available on a global level with a lot of different professional trainers. 
  
-== Retrofits ==+==== Retrofits ====
 The Passive House Standard can also be achieved in [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components|retrofits]] using Passive House components. The following pages provide [[:examples|examples]] and useful recommendations on [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components/passive_house_refurbishment_-_introduction|Energy savings – if you do it, do it right!]] (as of 30 October 2006). The Passive House Standard can also be achieved in [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components|retrofits]] using Passive House components. The following pages provide [[:examples|examples]] and useful recommendations on [[planning:refurbishment_with_passive_house_components/passive_house_refurbishment_-_introduction|Energy savings – if you do it, do it right!]] (as of 30 October 2006).
  
-== Hands-on experience of Passive Houses – You have to see one to believe it ==+==== Hands-on experience of Passive Houses – You have to see one to believe it ====
 The International Passive House Open Days takes place once a year. At this event, hundreds of Passive House residents open their doors to anyone interested in getting a hands-on experience of living in a Passive House. The International Passive House Days are put on by the [[http://passivehouse-international.org|International Passive House Association (iPHA)]] and its German affiliate, [[http://www.ig-passivhaus.de/index.php?page_id=157&level1_id=75|IG Passivhaus]]. The International Passive House Open Days takes place once a year. At this event, hundreds of Passive House residents open their doors to anyone interested in getting a hands-on experience of living in a Passive House. The International Passive House Days are put on by the [[http://passivehouse-international.org|International Passive House Association (iPHA)]] and its German affiliate, [[http://www.ig-passivhaus.de/index.php?page_id=157&level1_id=75|IG Passivhaus]].
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-====== And this is how it works ======+===== And this is how it works =====
  
-**--> Efficiency improves comfort**+**⇒ Efficiency improves comfort**
  
 The Passive House is the world leading standard in energy-efficient construction: A Passive House requires as little as 10 percent of the energy used by typical Central European buildings – meaning an energy savings of up to 90 percent. Owners of Passive Houses are barely concerned with increasing energy prices. The Passive House is the world leading standard in energy-efficient construction: A Passive House requires as little as 10 percent of the energy used by typical Central European buildings – meaning an energy savings of up to 90 percent. Owners of Passive Houses are barely concerned with increasing energy prices.
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    * This "supply air heating" concept only works in [[planning:thermal_protection:integrated_thermal_protection|appropriately insulated buildings]] – that is in Passive Houses. In expert terms: The transmission and infiltration heating load must be less than 10 W/m² to make sure that the required heat can be provided by the supply air.\\    * This "supply air heating" concept only works in [[planning:thermal_protection:integrated_thermal_protection|appropriately insulated buildings]] – that is in Passive Houses. In expert terms: The transmission and infiltration heating load must be less than 10 W/m² to make sure that the required heat can be provided by the supply air.\\
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 __**The Passive House – the leading concept for**__\\ __**The Passive House – the leading concept for**__\\
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-====== What’s the Passive House “secret“? ======+===== What’s the Passive House “secret“? =====
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 Products for Passive Houses are best practise products all around the world: Minimal U-values, superior window energy performance, maximum heat recovery rates. These products are mainly produced by small and medium enterprises on a local and regional level. This is adequate for passive components, because the resources are available anywhere. Insulation materials e.g. can be produced from a lot of very different resources - the main material always being just air included in small spaces, moving very slowly. The structural material can be wool, straw, wood fibers, paper, mineral wool, several types of plastics, foamed calcium silicate, foamed glass, ... This is an open development and everybody is invited to contribute. \\ Products for Passive Houses are best practise products all around the world: Minimal U-values, superior window energy performance, maximum heat recovery rates. These products are mainly produced by small and medium enterprises on a local and regional level. This is adequate for passive components, because the resources are available anywhere. Insulation materials e.g. can be produced from a lot of very different resources - the main material always being just air included in small spaces, moving very slowly. The structural material can be wool, straw, wood fibers, paper, mineral wool, several types of plastics, foamed calcium silicate, foamed glass, ... This is an open development and everybody is invited to contribute. \\
  
-====== See also ======+===== See also =====
  
 [[basics:The Passive House - definition]]  [[basics:The Passive House - definition]] 
basics/what_is_a_passive_house.txt · Last modified: 2022/09/25 19:35 by wfeist