At Back Pine HQ we talk about Passivhaus every day, but we appreciate not everyone understands what it actually is or why you’d choose to design that way.
What materials can you use? Is it more expensive? How much energy does it save? A lot of important, basic questions get thrown our way, so we’ve popped some of them into a super-quick FAQ post to help get you thinking…
* * *
What is the Passivhaus standard?
Passivhaus is a performance standard for buildings that prioritises energy efficiency, comfort, and low environmental impact, requiring very little energy for heating or cooling.
What materials do Passivhaus builds use?
Anything. The Passivhaus standard is measured by performance – not what the building is made of. Using natural and sustainable materials is the gold standard (and is what we prefer), but in practice any building material can be used.
Are Passivhaus standards only for houses?
No. Passivhaus design criteria can be applied to all building types; schools, offices, apartment blocks – you name it.
Does a Passvhaus build have to be certified?
No. Certification is an official third-party endorsement that recognises your building meets the absolute highest standards of energy efficiency. There’s no obligation to get certified, but if you’ve gone to the effort of building to Passivhaus standards, why wouldn’t you?!
Is building to the Passivhaus standard more expensive?
It depends on the project. Initial construction costs may be higher (e.g. you might add more insulation compared to a non-Passivhaus build), but long-term savings from reduced energy bills can offset the investment. And that’s not to mention the potential long-term health benefits of living in a home with an even temperature and improved air quality.
Do all Passivhaus standard builds have the same ‘look’?
No. A Passivhaus project can be designed to look how you want. However, it’s important to remember that performance and efficiency is a key part of the design mix, alongside functionality and aesthetics.
Does a Passivhaus building require additional heating?
Usually not, but there are exceptions that flow from performance-based calculations made during the design process. For example, if a single person is living in a Passivhaus designed for four people, that person will be giving off less residual “body warmth” and perhaps using fewer appliances (like ovens) which would otherwise help heat the internal space. In this scenario, the sole occupant may want to add some extra warmth via a heater but, in general, additional heating is not required. Ditto for fans and cooling systems.
Can existing buildings be retrofitted to Passivhaus standards?
Absolutely. Retrofitting to Passivhaus standards is an excellent way to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of older buildings. This can be done with a whole project view, but some people choose to do it in stages, improving one part of a building at a time to make the process more manageable.
How much energy does Passivhaus save?
A lot! Compared to a typical building, Passivhaus standards use up to 90% less spatial heating and cooling energy versus a traditional build, and up to 75% compared with new builds. You can dig into some of the numbers here.
Do Passivhaus certified buildings need renewable energy?
No. There’s no requirement for Passivhaus buildings to use renewables to meet standards. However, as part of the wider ethos of minimising the long-term environmental footprint, from our perspective it makes sense to pursue renewables – including net-zero or energy-positive buildings – wherever possible.
Are Passivhaus certified buildings suitable in any climate?
Definitely! A Passivhaus design will make the most of the natural conditions, including topography and orientation, and can be adapted for all climates, from cold or alpine environments to hotter, more humid zones.
Got a Passivhaus question? Get in touch.