Passive house construction is an innovative approach to sustainable building that offers several advantages over traditional building methods in terms of sustainability and environmental impact.
Passive houses are designed to harness natural energy sources to generate and capture heat, thereby reducing the need for bought-in energy. They are built on five key principles: high-quality thermal insulation, triple-glazed windows, the avoidance of thermal bridges, an airtight building envelope, and a ventilation system that can recover heat. These principles enable passive houses to retain heat energy within the building for up to two weeks. As a result, passive houses consume about 90% less heating energy than older buildings and 75% less energy than the average newly-constructed building.
By substantially reducing utility bills and minimizing carbon emissions, passive houses contribute to meeting international climate targets. However, it’s important to note that the high cost of construction associated with passive houses makes them less likely to meet the world’s affordable and social housing needs.
In contrast, traditional building methods often rely heavily on HVAC systems, which account for over 50% of their energy consumption. Passive houses, on the other hand, prioritize energy efficiency by utilizing passive sources such as sunlight, heat emitted by occupants, or warmth given off by household appliances. This approach significantly reduces the reliance on traditional temperature control systems powered by electricity, gas, or oil.
Overall, passive house construction offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional building methods by significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions while providing comfortable living spaces.
Did you know? The world’s first passive house complex was built in Germany thirty years ago