Actual, evidenced performanceThe Passive House Standard is a 'building standard' rather than a rating system, and is the most proven method for delivering actual levels of health, and energy efficiency, in the world.
Since it's inception in Germany in 1991, thousands of buildings have been designed and built to this standard, all around the world. Often incorrectly thought of as a 'cold climate' approach, the standard is completely site specific, and there are certified buildings in climates as diverse as the heat in Dubai and Australia to the cold in Scandinavia. The certification requirements are set to ensure the building achieves minimum levels of performance and comfort, and you either achieve it or you don't. The standard can be used for new buildings and retrofitting old buildings, and there are PH schools, libraries, hospitals, even swimming pools! The Passive House Institute New Zealand have a range of information and publications. |
All about the outcomesAt it's most basic level, the Passive House Standard begins with the principles of passive solar design.
However passive solar design is designed to rely on a lot of things that can't be relied on - namely people, and the weather. A cloudy week and you don't get enough solar gain, or if someone forgets to open the windows in summer you'll overheat. The Passive House Certification process uses predictive energy modelling to remove these unreliable elements, and show you how the building will perform as you're designing it, rather than just hoping it will work out in the end. |
5 principles of building performanceFor any building to perform well, there are 5 main principles that need to be balanced:
However these all need considering together - if one is missed it can create even worse issues. The Passive House Process ensures these are all balanced, to deliver the best outcome; and the stringent on-site quality assessment requirements ensure it's built to achieve these, as well as designed. |
Passive House Design is often referred to as 'fabric first' - ie it is primarily concerned with the parts of the building that make up the thermal envelope and interior environment, however it doesn't dictate what this fabric is - just what the required performance and comfort outcomes are.
There are Passive House projects built from straw bales, concrete blocks, timber frames, the list goes on! The only requirements are they meet the required metrics for:
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