Design

A Passive House concept represents today's highest energy standard. Energy saved on heating is 80% compared to conventional standards of new buildings.
A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply.
High performance triple-glazed windows, super-insulation, an airtight building shell, limitation of thermal bridging and balanced energy recovery ventilation make possible extraordinary reductions in energy use and carbon emission. Over the last 10 years more than 6000 buildings in Europe - from single and multifamily residences, to schools, factories and office buildings - have been designed and built or remodeled to the passive house standard. A great many of these have been extensively monitored by the Passiv Haus Institut in Darmstadt, analyzing and verifying their performance. Even governmental agencies have adopted passive house standards in their policy-making.

We can easily use this idea in residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Passive House design in any architectural form would have a dramatic impact on energy conservation.