Did you know climate change is already affecting our daily lives? From severe weather events to rising energy costs, the impact is clear. Homes account for over 20% of the national energy use in the U.S., with each household emitting around 8.7 tons of CO2 annually. So, how can we reduce our homes’ environmental impact while improving comfort and resilience?
Enter passive house design. Passive homes minimize energy consumption and maintain a comfortable indoor environment, cutting heating and cooling needs by up to 90% compared to conventional homes. This is achieved through insulation, airtightness, and efficient ventilation systems.
As of 2020, the U.S. had over 5,000 certified passive homes, in states like New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, and California leading the way. Cities like New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Washington D.C. are also adopting passive house principles, proving their benefits in various climates.
Keep reading to learn more about passive house design, the certification process, and how to incorporate these concepts into your home. Make informed decisions about energy efficiency and contribute to a sustainable future while enjoying a comfortable, resilient, and cost-effective living space.
Principles of Passive House Design
Let’s dive into the key principles that make passive house design so effective in creating energy-efficient and comfortable living spaces. By focusing on thermal control, air control, radiation control, and moisture control, passive houses achieve impressive levels of efficiency and comfort. Here’s a closer look at each principle and how they contribute to the overall performance of passive homes:
| Principle | Description | Strategies |
| Thermal Control | The Foundation of Comfort: Ensures stable indoor temperatures and reduces the need for active heating and cooling systems. | – Continuous insulation: Thick, uninterrupted layer of insulation around the home.
– Well-insulated windows: Triple-paned with insulated frames. – Elimination of thermal bridges: Minimize weak points where heat can escape. |
| Air Control | Sealing in Efficiency and Freshness: Prevents uncontrolled air leakage and maintains indoor air quality. | – Air sealing: Ensures airtight construction, reducing energy losses.
– Mechanical ventilation: Supplies fresh, filtered air while removing stale air and pollutants. |
| Radiation Control | Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Manages solar radiation to optimize comfort and energy performance. | – High-performance glazing: Allows beneficial solar radiation in winter, blocks unwanted heat in summer.
– Shading techniques: Uses overhangs, awnings, or deciduous trees to block excessive solar radiation in summer, reducing the need for cooling. |
| Moisture Control | Keeping Your Home Dry and Healthy: Maintains a healthy indoor environment and prevents moisture-related issues. | – Proper ventilation: Regulates indoor humidity and removes excess moisture.
– Moisture-resistant materials: Uses materials and construction techniques that minimize the risk of moisture damage. |
Certification Requirements for Passive House Standards
To obtain certification, passive homes, must meet the rigorous energy efficiency standards; there are two main certification programs. One is the Passive House Institute (PHI) in Germany and the second one is Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). These certifications guarantee that a building meets specific performance criteria.
Passive House Certification Criteria
The PHI and PHIUS have set performance-based standards for certification, focusing on:
- Heating and Cooling Demand: Passive homes must have a heating demand of no more than 4.75 kBtu/ft²/year (PHI) or 6,200 Btu/ft²/year (PHIUS). The cooling demand is also limited to 4.75 kBtu/ft²/year, with slightly higher allowances in humid climates for dehumidification.
- Primary Energy Renewables: The PHI Classic standard requires a primary energy renewability demand of no more than 38 kBtu/ft²/year, while the PHIUS+ standard sets a limit of 22 kBtu/ft²/year.
- Airtightness: Passive homes must achieve an airtightness of no more than 0.6 air changes per hour at a pressure difference of 50 Pascals, tested using a blower door test.
Certification Levels
The PHI offers three certification levels to recognize exceptional energy efficiency and renewable energy production:
- PHI Classic: Requires meeting the basic criteria for heating, cooling, and airtightness.
- PHI Plus: Meets the PHI Classic criteria and produces enough renewable energy on-site to offset annual energy consumption, making it a net-zero energy building.
- PHI Premium: Meets the PHI Classic criteria and produces more renewable energy than it consumes annually, making it a net-positive energy building.
By meeting these certification requirements, passive homes demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and environmental sustainability. If you’re considering building or purchasing a passive home, look for certified projects to ensure a high-quality, high-performance building that provides long-term benefits for both you and the environment.
Windows, patio doors, and front doors meant for passive homes
Windows:
When it comes to energy-efficient windows, OKNOPLAST’s PAVA line stands out for passive house design. These windows feature multi-chamber profile technology combined with STV technology, achieving exceptional thermal parameters up to U = 0.13. This makes them ideal for both energy-efficient multi-family buildings and passive houses.
A key feature of the PAVA window is its additional gasket in the frame, which enhances both thermal and acoustic insulation. With rising energy prices, maintaining a constant room temperature is crucial. Whether you need to keep your home warm in autumn and winter or cooler in spring and summer, our PAVA windows provide an economical and energy-efficient solution for every season.
Pava Window Oknoplast
Patio Doors:
We offer patio doors that combine security, comfort, and style. Our ALUVIEW SKY+ and ALUVIEW Premium lines feature various glass packages to meet different needs.
Options include tempered glass for enhanced safety or low-emission coatings that improve energy balance. The doors come with either double-glazed or triple-glazed units, depending on your requirements.
A standout feature of our patio doors is the Warmatec glass spacer, which reduces thermal bridge formation between the glass and frame, lowering the Uw coefficient. Available in black, brown, and gray, this spacer can be used in all our window systems.
Our gaskets ensure energy efficiency and durability, being highly resistant to moisture, water vapor, and UV rays for long-lasting performance.
Front doors:
Our TENVIS and MIRU EVO DOOR lines offer a blend of durability, modern design, and security. These front doors are constructed with aluminum in the door leaf, frame, and panel, making them resistant to sunlight and moisture.
TENVIS doors feature an automatic lock that secures the door panel at three points without needing a key, providing convenience and peace of mind. The 100% aluminum construction is recyclable, reflecting our commitment to environmental sustainability.
Experience OKNOPLAST quality firsthand
To learn more about our high-performance windows, patio doors, and front doors, visit one of our showrooms or trusted partners. Our knowledgeable staff will answer any questions and help you select the best products for your passive house project.
By choosing OKNOPLAST, you’re investing in top-quality, energy-efficient solutions that enhance the comfort, security, and sustainability of your home for years to come. Take the first step towards creating your dream passive home today by contacting us or visiting one of our dealer showrooms.
About the Author: Oknoplast Team
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