At a time when we are increasingly aware of the need for sustainable development and energy saving, passive houses have become a popular choice among investors and property owners. A passive house is an energy-efficient building designed to reduce energy dependence on external sources. How do passive houses help save energy and money?
What are passive houses?
A key characteristic of passive houses is high energy efficiency, achieved through extremely good thermal insulation, tightness of the building envelope and advanced ventilation.
Thermal insulation
One of the key features of passive houses is a high level of thermal insulation. By insulating the walls, roof, floor and windows, the heat transfer between the inside and the outside of the house is reduced. As a result, heat loss and the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer heat are reduced.
Air tightness of the outer casing
In addition to thermal insulation, the air tightness of the outer envelope is crucial for passive houses. Deficiencies such as poorly sealed windows, doors or cracks in walls can cause valuable energy to leak out. In passive houses, the sealing of the outer envelope of the building is carefully planned and implemented in order to reduce uncontrolled air flow and energy loss. This helps to maintain a stable temperature and air quality inside the house.
Advanced ventilation
Air quality in passive houses is crucial for the health and comfort of the occupants. Instead of the traditional opening of windows, which can cause large energy losses, passive houses use a system of controlled ventilation with heat recovery. This system allows fresh air to enter the house while exhausting stale air at the same time, exchanging heat energy between the two. This keeps the air fresh and reduces the need for heating or cooling the fresh air.
Advantages of passive houses
Passive houses represent an extremely efficient way of saving energy. Compared to traditional buildings, they use up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling. This exceptional energy efficiency allows passive house owners to reduce their energy costs and at the same time contribute to reducing their carbon footprint and negative environmental impacts.
In addition, passive houses create a comfortable living environment. The high level of thermal insulation allows maintaining a stable temperature inside the house regardless of the weather conditions outside. This means that residents in passive houses will enjoy a pleasant temperature both in the colder winter months and on hot summer days.
Although the initial investment in the construction of a passive house may be higher than in traditional buildings, it is a long-term investment that brings many benefits. With reduced energy consumption, energy bills are reduced, helping to save money in the long run. Lower energy costs also enable a faster return on the initial investment. Over time, the owner of a passive house will notice that saving energy has in fact brought significant savings and increased the value of the property.
Saving energy, a comfortable living environment and long-term financial savings are the key reasons why more and more people choose to build passive houses. These innovative buildings represent a sustainable and smart solution for modern builders and property owners who want to reduce their environmental impact, save money while enjoying a comfortable and energy efficient home.
If you are thinking about building a new house or renovating an existing one, a passive house is certainly worth considering.
