What is it like living in a passive house?

Answers to frequently asked questions about the construction standard of the future

- Passive houses that have been tested and are already occupied have conclusively proven:

Even in our European climate,houses can be built with such low heating energy requirements that minimal additional heat added to incoming fresh air , is sufficient to keep the house warm and comfortable in winter.

Measurements in passive home subdivisions have proven that energy requirements for heating can be accurately predicted, and that even with a great variety of occupants, calculated consumption agrees with average actual consumption.

2) Aren't passive houses too expensive?

- No passive houses are comparable in price to building prices for standard housing.

Remember that the passive house will not lend itself to self building as it requires specialist design and workmanship.

The heating costs are of course up to 80% lower than a standard house.

Passive houses are traditional build or passive precast.

See also passive house standard construction.


3) Can you open windows in a passive house?

-Of course, occupants may open windows whenever they want; however, they won't have to.

A passive house is continuously supplied with fresh air via the ventilating system. This has advantages:

Unlike window ventilation, fine filters in the ventilating system keep out dirt and pollen.

Air quality within the house is always excellent, even when occupants are away and/or windows are never opened.

This adds to the overall comfort of the house.


Of course, as with all houses, if windows are left open in winter for longer periods, the inside air temperature will decrease noticeably, and energy consumption for heating will increase.

4) How do Passive Houses use the sun

Passive houses use Passive solar gain to heat the house in the daytime.The passive us of solar gain with the thermal mass of the house is a free simple but powerful way of using the sun energy for free.

5) People often express reservations about the need for a ventilation system:

Are there problems with bacteria, noise and drafts?

The in a passive house is a fresh air supply system, not an air conditioning system that recirculates inside air.

Bacteria growth is only a problem in recirculating air systems (and then, only if poorly maintained).

Fan and valve noises are almost completely eliminated by sound control measures (e.g., vibration isolation mounts, low air speed, acoustic lining in ducts).

Jet nozzles guide incoming air along the ceiling from where it uniformly diffuses throughout the room at velocities that are barely perceptible.

6) Isn't a passive house a complicated, high-tech house?

- No passive houses are build with traditional materials but to a much higher level of workmanship.

They are subject to testing and pre design but are built using every day materials.

In many ways it is simpler than houses with heating systems as it uses passive means to heat and cool.

Can you retrofit the Passive Way

Yes in fact if you apply Passive principles to refurbishment you will get far better outcomes using insulation and the overall building standard is at a far higher standard.

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