In this age of increased concern for how our building choices affect environment , the German concept of a passivhaus becomes incredibly relevant. But what in the world is a passivhaus, you ask? Literally translating to mean “passive house,” this German design includes a comfortable home interior climate maintained with no active heating or cooling systems. The house is constructed to actually heat and cool itself. One of about 30,000 passive homes built by German company WeberHaus since 1960 Several specific components distinguish passive house construction, including: Compact insulation Energy-efficient window glazing and frames Hot water source using regenerative energy Energy-saving household appliance (from low-energy refrigerators to lamps) For a detailed list, click here . While initial building requirements might seem overwhelming, the long-term benefits are incomparable. In the thermogram above, the dark colors of a passivhaus (right) show how little heat can escape, compared with the traditional house (left), which releases far more energy than it retains. Remodeling for Passivehaus Requirements While achieving major decreases in energy consumption requires specific design and construction, the good news is that a traditional house can be renovated into a passivhaus . There are many, many different ways to go about this. Those interested in renovating with passivhaus requirements in mind can start by assessing the addition of these components: Solar design superinsulation Advanced window technology Airtightness Lighting and electrical usage Appliance efficiency Heating and ventilation Check out the organization’s authorized American counterpart at U.S. Passive House for more info.
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“Passivhaus”: A Home that Heats and Cools itself