Passive Houses
Passive Houses
Passive House is a voluntary, high-performance building standard that is internationally recognized, science-based and proven. Any building type or design can be retrofitted or built to the Passive House standard.
Developed in Germany in late nineteen-eighties and inspired by the design and construction of the Saskatchewan Conservation House in Regina, Passive House is considered the most rigorous voluntary, energy-based standard in the design and construction industry today, resulting in buildings that consume as much as 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than a conventional building.
A Passive House building is designed to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and superior thermal comfort. Heating and cooling loads are minimized through passive measures like massing, insulation, high-quality windows, passive solar energy, shading, and elimination of thermal bridges. Because a Passive House building is airtight, it requires balanced and controlled ventilation with high-quality heat exchange to provide fresh air at all times.
Key components of a Passive House:
- Super-insulated building envelope
- High-quality windows with solar orientation
- Ventilation systems with heat recovery
- Thermal bridge-free
- Airtight
Key benefits:
- Year-round stable indoor air quality and temperature
- Quiet and comfortable throughout the changing seasons
- Substantial reduction in energy use and operating costs
- Simple to use, durable systems
- Priceless peace of mind
To learn more about the Passive House standard and see Canadian examples, visit PassiveHouse Canada.