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We Design & Implement Passive Houses

The passive house has been characterized as the residence of the future. It is a standard building that offers high energy efficiency, economy, comfort and is environmentally friendly. In Europe they are referred to as “NeZEB” which means almost zero consumption homes as they ensure really very low as zero consumption.

Specifically, in scientific terms, the passive house is a building in which the internal thermal comfort (ISO 7730) is ensured exclusively by preheating or pre-cooling the amount of fresh air required (DIN 1946) for the correct indoor atmosphere, without the use additional air recirculation.

The difference between a Passive and a traditional  house

The passive house can and maintains a comfortable and ideal climate, with the right temperature, without the use of coolers or radiators, using up to 90% less energy and fuel than a traditional house. While other homes may simply use photovoltaics or alternative energy sources to minimize environmental impact and generate energy.

Main Features of Passive House

Strong Insulation: The most important component of a passive home is a high-performance insulation layer around the building enclosure, which reduces heat leakage between the interior and exterior.

Design without thermal bridges: The hot and cold air inside a house is constantly transported in and out of it, through specific (insufficiently insulated) points, which are called thermal bridges. Conventional homes have several thermal bridges, in the form of insufficient aluminum and windows, poorly insulated walls or cracks under the doors. The special design of a passive house, however, eliminates this type of leakage, thanks to the excellent quality of wall insulation and the use of efficient aluminum and doors.

Airtight construction: Passive houses have airtight construction to prevent moisture, which penetrates inside and can cause mold, affect air quality or even cause structural damage.

Ventilation: Another important element of the design of the passive housing is the efficient central ventilation system, which constantly renews the air inside, providing protection against moisture and harmful particles and keeping the temperature at the desired levels.

Passive heating-cooling technology: Buildings are heated passively, ie they make efficient use of the sun and internal heat sources, with the result that conventional heating systems are not necessary even on the coldest days of winter. During the summer, the passive building uses passive cooling techniques, such as proper shading design and air freshening through the ventilation system, to keep it cool.

High performance windows: Efficient windows are essential for the design of the passive house. The windows used have the latest technology triple glazing and high quality insulation.

The Advantages of a Passive House

Efficiency

Regardless of climate or region, Passive Buildings maintain a pleasant temperature with minimal energy requirements throughout the year. The buildings are heated passively, effectively using of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery, so that conventional heating systems are not necessary even during the coldest winter days. During summer, passive houses – buildings use passive cooling techniques , as is the correct shading design and nighttime natural ventilation to keep cool. In any case, the high quality materials, the technology and careful planning guarantee that temperatures remain constant throughout the year, in a stable and pleasant for residents / users level.

Viability

A Passive Building uses up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling than a conventional building of Central Europe, and requires less than 1.5 liters of oil or 1.5 cubic meter of gas per year, for heating one square meter of living space. Additional economy is achieved in warmer regions, where buildings require cooling. Limiting energy use leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions , so the Passive Building is a real sustainable option compared with conventional constructions.

Economy

Proven by the way a building functions (which is the only way of determining the actual cost of a building), the operation of Passive Building has reduced cost requirements , while construction costs are amazingly affordable. Investing in high-quality materials, according to the standards of the Passive House, is balanced by the absence of the need for conventional heating and cooling systems. In addition, this investment in energy savings is cheaper and more efficient in the long term compared to the unilateral investment in renewable sources or the easy solution of “fuel switching”.

Comfort

Passive houses achieve thermal comfort with very low energy requirements. Mechanical ventilation with an energy recovery system, provide the required fresh air, offering high quality air , without being perceived by the habitants due to reduced operating noise level. The combination of constant temperatures and proper air exchange prevent damage from moisture and mold growth.

Conditions

The conditions set by the PHI Institute of Passive Homes to qualify a passive home are:

  1. Energy consumption for heating <= 15 kWh / (m2a) or maximum thermal load of the building <= 10 W / m2
  2. Energy consumption for cooling <= 15 kWh / (m2a).
  3. Annual primary energy consumption for all uses <= 120 kWh / (m2a).
  4. Airtightness of the building <= 0.6m3 / h