What conditions must a passive house meet?

Table of contents

• Passive house – requirements
• How does a passive house save energy?
• What are the advantages of passive houses?

A passive house is a concept of sustainable construction. Thanks to energy-efficient components and modern technology, it allows you to achieve huge savings during the operation of the building. The advantage is indisputable, because you save money. But, what requirements must a passive house meet to be one? Learn more.

Passive house – requirements

Passive houses are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. It does not draw its energy from conventional sources, but benefits from a clever combination of ventilation and heating technology with good insulation. This is where the term “passive” comes from, because energy sources such as solar radiation, heat from people and household appliances are not active heating systems. What conditions must a passive house meet to be called a building? The most important criteria are:

• • • Location in an open, unshaded space with maximum access to the sun.
    • As many triple-glazed windows as possible with insulated frames on the walls on the south side.
    • Compact and compact body.
    • Maximum tightness: elimination of all thermal bridges.
    • Excellent insulation (minimum 30 cm for the foundation slab, walls and roof). The wall temperature must not be lower than 17°C with an outdoor temperature of -10°C and an internal temperature of +20°C.
    • Very good mechanical ventilation with a modern recuperator (heat recovery).
    • No need to install radiators or use underfloor heating.
    • Annual heat demand index not higher than 15 kWh/m2/year.
    • Energy consumption of up to 1.5 litres of heating oil per square metre per year.
    • Annual demand for the so-called primary and electrical energy not exceeding 120 kWh/m2/year.

    All these requirements of a passive house must be met in order for the building to be considered an object that prevents energy waste.

    

    How does a passive house save energy?

    A passive house uses the energy of solar radiation and the heat of people and equipment that are inside the building, so it can do without a classic heating system. In this way, the owners of such a house save a lot on heating costs and the purchase of materials such as gas, oil or pellets per year. In the case of a passive house with an area of 120 m², heating costs will be several times lower than in the case of an energy-efficient building and several times lower than in an old, non-insulated building.

    And although no active heating system is installed in a passive house, ventilation makes it possible to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature everywhere. The building can optimally store heat in winter and does not heat up excessively in summer. There are also no problems with hot water. Solar collectors or heat pumps are used for its production, which are often integrated with modern passive house ventilation systems.

    What are the advantages of passive houses?

    A passive house is a promising model of modern construction. Without fossil heating technology, but with a combination of good insulation, ventilation and heating technology, large amounts of energy and thus money can be saved. Of course, the ecological aspect of such construction and active climate protection are noteworthy.

    Here are the most important advantages that can be obtained when the conditions of a passive house are met:

    • 90% lower heating costs – compared to unrenovated old buildings,
    • significantly lower CO2 emissions into the atmosphere,
    • high independence from changes in energy prices,
    • protection against draughts and moisture,
    • reduced risk of mold,
    • improved sound insulation,
    • no need for heating, fuel storage or chimney construction,
    • maximum access to daylight,
    • A healthy indoor climate thanks to excellent ventilation.

    All these advantages make it worth taking care of meeting the conditions for building a passive house, because it is a very profitable investment for the future.