Passive House
450 architects is proud to be leading the charge in providing our clients with the most up-to-date green concepts and technologies. We have two Certified Passive House Consultants as part of the 450 design team, more than any other office in the U.S.
Passive House (or PassivHaus in German) is to date the most rigorous standard for energy efficiency in homes, schools, and many other building types. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require very little energy for heating and cooling—typically 85% less than a standard new American home.
Principals of Passive House design include:
- Super insulation
- Eliminating thermal bridges
- Air-tight on demand
- Excellent indoor air quality
- Passive solar and internal heat gain
For more information about Passive House, please see the Passive House Institute US website at www.passivehouse.us
450 architects can design and certify a Passive House for you using the following principles.
Super Insulate
Insulation is a common element of modern human life: the down jacket, the wetsuit, the coffee cup, or the walls of your house. In all cases, it provides an outer shell that keeps the warmth inside from transmitting to the outside. The Passive House concept uses modeling to help determine the most climate-appropriate type and amount of insulation for each project location.
Eliminate Thermal Bridges
A thermal bridge is a path that allows heat to be transmitted from one place to another. Heat, like water, travels in the path of least resistance. Thermal bridges are a huge reason for energy loss in most typical buildings constructed today. They also cause moisture issues within walls, windows, and roofs. In a Passive House, there are few or no thermal bridges.
Air-Tight On Demand
Air-tightness is only important when we are too cold or too hot. When the weather is great, the Passive House Concept encourages occupants to open doors and windows and enjoy the great outdoors. When it is cold out having an air-tight building allows the space inside to be heated quickly and efficiently. Air-tightness acts much like a zipper on a good jacket, closing gaps between insulation to keep heat in and cold out, or vice-versa. Air-tightness eliminates drafts and loss of heat through air movement.
Excellent Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is paramount to good green building. When our doors and windows are closed, we still need positive air flow, Passive Houses are required to install energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to provide constant outdoor air to the entire house. The result is “an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides a uniquely terrific indoor air quality” (Passive House Institute US).
Passive Solar and Internal Heat Gain
A Passive House manages to be heated primarily by passive solar gains and internal gains from people and electrical equipment. The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is an energy modeling tool that is developed in the design phase to help understand the implications each design decision has on the energy use of the building. The PHPP is sophisticated enough to handle the most complex building science concepts in real time, while simple enough to be used by trained Certified Passive House Consultants.