Internationally recognised and based on scientifically-proven metrics, Passivehouse is considered the most rigorous energy efficient and health conscious standard in today’s building industry, and can be applied to any building type or design, and is not limited to residential projects. A Passivehouse certified building maintains thermal comfort year round, with heating and cooling loads minimised by up to 90% compared to conventional buildings, using passive measures including improved insulation, airtightness, windows with external shading, eliminated thermal bridges and a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.
Benefits of a Passivehouse:
Health. Overall indoor air quality is improved with the use of a heat recovery ventilation system which transmits fresh air and exhausts stale air. The HRV also eliminates the risk of mould inside the building, filters pollen for people with allergies and smoke particles during bushfire season.
Comfort + Quiet. Stable and consistent temperatures between 20-25 degrees are maintained all year around and irrespective of the outside weather. Careful sealing, insulation and high performance windows also provides acoustic separation from the street and neighbours.
Resilience. Even in the extremes of winter and summer, Passivehouse buildings remain habitable for much longer without reliance of electrical heating/cooling systems compared to conventional buildings.
Affordability. Low (or no) heating and cooling energy costs make Passivehouse certified buildings less expensive in lieu of changes in energy pricing, technology and climate, providing a long term assurance of affordability.
Ease of use. Passivehouse buildings are carefully considered in their design with a focus on simple, durable systems and quality construction of the building fabric (walls, floor, roof, windows, shading) working to keep the building comfortable.
Sustainability. Buildings contribute about 40% of all CO2 emissions worldwide. Whilst 20% is generated in the construction of a building, up to 80% is derived from the building’s operational lifetime use. This 80% of CO2 emissions is what the Passivehouse standard aims to reduce.
Key principles of the Passivehouse Standard:
continuous airtight building fabric
continuous high levels of thermal insulation
high performance windows with thermally broken frames
thermal bridge-free construction
a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery
