Passivhaus ​

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Passivhaus is a certified standard for energy-efficient building design and construction that originated in Germany in the early 1990s. It has gained international recognition as one of the most rigorous and successful approaches to achieving energy efficiency in buildings.

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The Passivhaus standard aims to create buildings that have exceptional energy performance, superior indoor comfort, and minimal environmental impact. The key principles behind Passivhaus include:

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1. Super Insulation: Passivhaus buildings have a highly insulated building envelope, which minimises heat loss and reduces the need for heating or cooling.

2. Airtight Construction: The building envelope is carefully sealed to prevent air leakage and drafts. This ensures that the heating or cooling energy remains inside the building.

3. Energy Recovery Ventilation: Passivhaus buildings utilise a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. This system supplies fresh air while recovering the heat from the exhaust air, further reducing energy demand.

4. Thermal Bridge-Free Design: Thermal bridging, which occurs when heat transfers through materials with higher conductivity, is minimised in Passivhaus construction to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the building envelope.

5. High-Quality Windows: Passivhaus buildings feature triple-glazed windows with insulated frames to reduce heat loss and improve thermal comfort.

6. Passive Solar Design: Passive solar techniques are employed to maximise natural heat gain from the sun during winter while minimising overheating in summer, reducing the need for mechanical heating or cooling.

 

By integrating these design principles, Passivhaus buildings can achieve an extremely low energy demand, typically 80% to 90% lower than conventional buildings. This reduced energy consumption not only leads to significant cost savings but also contributes to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.

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Certification for Passivhaus standards involves rigorous testing and verification, ensuring that the buildings meet the required performance criteria. The certification process evaluates factors such as energy demand, airtightness, ventilation performance, and thermal comfort.

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Passivhaus has gained popularity globally, and its principles are applied to various building types, including residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. It has proven to be an effective approach for achieving sustainable, comfortable, and energy-efficient structures.