Passive houses are based on a building standard designed to consume very little energy. This can save money on energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and help the planet. Houses based on this standard are known as passivhaus houses, a term that comes from Germany.
What is a passive house or passivhaus?
The passive house is a standard for energy efficient buildings. It is not just about insulating, but about using the right materials in the right way.
Passive houses use 90% less energy than standard buildings, so they cost less to heat and cool, which also makes them more comfortable to live in.
How does a passivhaus house work?
A passive house is a highly energy efficient building that requires little or no active heating or cooling. It is comfortable, healthy, affordable and leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
The passive house concept was developed in Germany in the 1980s as an alternative to traditional building techniques that used fossil fuels for heating and cooling. The first Passivhaus was built in 1990; since then they have become popular around the world because they allow you to live comfortably using less energy than traditional houses, which translates into lower bills.
Certifications and Passivhaus standards
El Instituto Passivhaus es una organización independiente sin ánimo de lucro que certifica el rendimiento de los edificios. Ha desarrollado una serie de normas y protocolos para ayudar a los constructores a alcanzar los máximos niveles de eficiencia energética, durabilidad y confort en sus viviendas.
El estándar Passivhaus exige que un edificio sea capaz de mantener un rango de temperatura interna de entre 19ºC y 24ºC durante todo el año sin utilizar ningún sistema activo de calefacción o refrigeración. Esto significa que si estás diseñando tu nueva casa desde cero, es importante que tengas en cuenta la mejor manera de aislar la estructura para que no requiera un aporte energético adicional al que obtienes de la captación solar pasiva a través de ventanas y claraboyas.
Algunos de los requisitos de certificación incluyen:
- Valores mínimos de aislamiento de paredes, techos y suelos
- Requisitos de estanqueidad al aire
- Bajos índices de infiltración de aire
- Altos valores de masa térmica
Design principles Passivhaus
The principles of Passivhaus design are based on the performance of the building envelope, insulation and ventilation systems, and heating and cooling equipment.
Passive houses are designed to consume at least 90% less energy than a normal house.
The ideal Passivhaus building is so well insulated that it does not need any mechanical ventilation system and still has acceptable indoor air quality.
Passive houses are energy efficient, cost-effective and comfortable to live in
If you are interested in building a passive house, here are some important things you should know:
- Passive houses are energy efficient. They use less than half the energy of a standard house and can be built anywhere in the world with proper insulation and ventilation.
- Passive houses are cost-effective. They require less maintenance and last longer than conventional houses, making them less expensive over time for both builders and homeowners.
- Passive houses are comfortable to live in – they are neither too hot nor too cold – and can be customized to suit your lifestyle (including space for pets).
- Passive houses also offer health benefits by filtering contaminants such as mold spores from damp basements or radon gas seeping through cracks in poorly insulated foundations where there is damage from water due to leaky pipes, etc., which would otherwise pose serious long-term risks such as asthma attacks or lung cancer caused by exposure over time.
Passivhaus houses
Passivhaus is a building standard that demands extremely low levels of energy consumption. It was developed by Professor Bo Adamson, founder of the Passivhaus Institut in Germany in 1998.
The term “passive house” refers to the fact that these structures are designed to consume less than 15 kWh/m2 per year (for heating). This can be achieved by using highly insulated walls and windows, as well as triple-glazed windows with very low U-values (amount of heat lost through a material). This requires careful design and planning by an architect or designer who knows how to best utilize materials such as insulating foam board or insulating airgel to maximum benefit.
Passivhaus villas are also known as passive houses because they meet certain criteria established by this standard.
Passivhaus windows
Passivhaus windows are very efficient. They use less energy to heat and cool your home, which means you can spend less on heating and cooling, as well as save money on your utility bills. Also, they are more durable than regular windows, so they will outlast most other types of glass.
Passivhaus windows are also more expensive than traditional options, but because they’re so energy efficient (and require less maintenance), you may pay back your investment over time by saving a lot of money on services every month (and every year).
For example: if you could reduce your energy consumption by 20%, that would equate to around €1 per square meter per year, based on average heating, ventilation and air conditioning costs in Europe, (between €0 and €3 per square meter per year). If, for example, your new passivhaus window system cost you €5,000 in total, including labor and installation materials, after 5 years (assuming no maintenance costs), this would equate to a return of the positive investment of about 2% interest compounded annually, which is not bad at all.
Passivhaus housing
Passivhaus is a relatively new term to refer to building standards aimed at reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
The aim of Passivhaus design is to make homes and buildings as close as possible to zero in terms of energy consumption.
Passivhaus buildings are designed to be comfortable year-round without the need for mechanical heating or cooling systems: they require only minimal amounts of electricity for lighting and appliances, making them extremely efficient at keeping their occupants comfortable. , while consuming less than half the energy required by typical American homes (and even less than some).
Architect passivhaus
Passivhaus Architects are professionals who work with the Passivhaus Institute to design and build buildings that meet their strict standards. The institute has created a certification program for these architects, so you can be sure that your house will be built by someone who knows what they do. You can also find more information about the requirements for passivhaus architects here: https://www .passivhaustradeshow.com/architecture-certification/
If you are looking for an architect in your area, check out this list of certified architects from around the world: https://cms.passivehouse.com/en/training/find-professional/
