If you’ve been frequenting home design websites, most probably you’ve read about passive houses. This home design concept has a meticulous set of standards to achieve its end goal: making your house energy-efficient. 

With the threat of a climate crisis weighing down on us, many homeowners are considering building a more environment-friendly abode. Well, it’s good to have foundational knowledge before you construct your own passive house. So, take note of these frequently asked questions about passive houses, so you have an idea of what to expect from this concept. 

What is a Passive House?

A passive house is a building design concept with a set of standards that aim to achieve a comfortable and eco-friendly house. It has five principles, airtight construction, continuous insulation, heat recovery ventilation, high-performance glazing, and minimal thermal bridging. 

These five principles must be incorporated to create a passive house. A holistic approach is crucial because neglecting one principle can botch the entire design. So, home designers and builders should ensure to follow each principle. 

Where Does This Building Design Concept Originate?

German physicist Wolfgang Feist and Swedish structural engineer Bo Adamson developed the passive house concept in 1988. An initial discussion blossomed into a series of research projects which resulted in the crafting of building design principles and proposed performance objectives. 

These two Europeans began their research by looking into North American building projects in the 1970s. Among their pioneering studies was the Saskatchewan Conservation House, which laid the groundwork for environment-friendly building standards and energy-efficient housing.

What Are The Materials Used For Passive Houses?

The common material used to build passive houses is structural insulated panels. This material has a triple purpose, namely, exterior sheathing, insulation, and framing. For the SIP “cooking” and the “filling,” there are various options. You can choose Sheetrock, plywood, oriented strand board, or metal. 

You can also choose from among different types of thermally insulating plastic foam for the core structure. Structural insulated panels allow for fewer components. You can tape the joints on both sides and fill the screw holes with spray foam. 

The goal of having fewer components and joints is to reduce air leaks which result in air tightness. Moreover, passive houses provide highly-efficient door sweeps and seals for doors and windows compared to conventional buildings. Doors and windows are among the two reasons for air leaks. 

What Are The Qualities that Characterize Passive Houses?

There are many qualities that homeowners love about their passive houses. One is that there are no drafts, and the temperature inside the building doesn’t fluctuate every month. These structures are also admirably comfortable and quiet because of their better insulation. Plus, the air is filtered, which means you’re breathing clean air. 

What Do Passive Houses Look Like?

Passive houses aren’t confined to any particular style, but it’s pretty common to see triple-glazed windows and thick walls in such buildings. In terms of their design, they can have simple to complex and traditional to modern forms.

How Does an Airtight House Promote Energy Efficiency?

An airtight house is easier to maintain without running your heater or air conditioner more often. In contrast, a house with leaks is not unlike having your door open with the AC running. Therefore, an airtight building is more energy-efficient because it reduces the need to use a significant amount of energy through home appliances like your AC or heater. 

How Do Passive Houses Deal With Damp and Mold?

Passive houses solve damp and mold issues by following the principle of heat recovery ventilation. HRV is effective in equalizing the fresh air coming into the house and the exhaust air coming out of it. A balanced airflow is crucial so as not to pressurize the air within the building. 

HRV world by having the paths of fresh air and exhaust air crossed in different channels. It treats humidity by keeping the humidity level inside the house. 

Can You Convert an Existing Building Into a Passive House?

Yes, it’s possible to retrofit an existing building and turn it into a passive house. You can build an exterior shell around the entire building (roof and wall). However, this idea might not always be doable. It’s better to have an alternative called EnerPhit, a more attainable standard if you want to convert an existing structure into a passive house. 

Is it Expensive to Build a Passive House?

Yes, it can be expensive to build a passive house because of its unique design and costly materials. It’s estimated to cost 10% or more than the cost of conventional buildings. However, the benefit of saving money from your low energy bills is what drives people to consider building a passive house. 

Final Thoughts

Passive houses are now becoming popular because of the rising energy consumption of the majority of homeowners. Since this home design concept can make your abode energy-efficient, you can save lots of money if you’re living in a passive house. Make sure to research more or hire an expert to help you design or conceptualize your passive home.