PassivHaus Construction Standards for Buildings

The term ‘PassivHaus’ refers to a specific construction standard for buildings which have excellent comfort conditions in both winter and summer.

These principles can be applied not only to the residential sector but also to commercial, industrial and public buildings.

PassivHaus dwellings:

• are the worlds leading standard in energy efficient construction
• are designed and built using a step-by-step approach
• use efficient components and a whole house ventilation system to achieve exceptionally low running costs
• are comfortable, healthy and sustainable

PassivHaus dwellings typically achieve an energy saving of 90% compared to existing housing.

There are approximately 17,000 buildings constructed to the PassivHaus principles worldwide, with a total treated floor area of over 200,000sqm.

Basic Principles

A dwelling which achieves the PassivHaus standard typically includes:

• very good levels of insulation with minimal thermal bridges
• well thought out utilisation of solar and internal gains
• excellent level of airtightness
• good indoor air quality, provided by a whole house mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery

By specifying these features the design heat load is limited to the load that can be transported by the minimum required ventilation air. Thus, a PassivHaus does not need a traditional heating system or active cooling to be comfortable to live in – the small heating demand can be typically met using a compact services unit which intergrates heating, hot water and ventilation in one unit (although there are a variety of alternative solutions).

For Europe (40o – 60o Northern latitudes), a dwelling is deemed to satisfy the PassivHaus criteria if:

• the total energy demand for space heating and cooling is less than 15 kWh/m2/yr treated floor area;
• the total primary energy use for all appliances, domestic hot water and space heating and cooling is less than 120 kWh/m2/yr

These figures are verified at the design stage using the PassivHaus Planning Package.

It is also essential to follow a quality control procedure to avoid onsite problems which may prevent excellent levels of airtightness and thermal insulation being achieved.

Click here for further information.