Passivhaus Principles

Neglecting core Passivhaus principles such as using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) for modelling, ensuring a holistic design approach, and maintaining quality control, can lead to significant performance and cost issues. Our NEW paper explores lessons learned from real-world case studies to describe why misunderstanding Passivhaus principles can be risky business.

As Passivhaus awareness grows, more projects are incorporating key features like continuous insulation, airtightness, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). This is a positive step, but simply including these elements does not guarantee Passivhaus performance. Without accurate modelling, an integrated design approach, and rigorous quality assurance, buildings can fall short of expected energy efficiency, comfort, and health benefits.

Download our NEW Misunderstanding Passivhaus Principles paper which highlights core principles essential to Passivhaus & distinguishes between these and basic characteristics.

Passivhaus Principles

Characteristics of a Passivhaus building

Three key principles that ensure quality performance:

Accurate site-specific modelling in PHPP
An integrated approach, balancing energy losses/gains, comfort and cost
Quality assurance of construction and commissioning

Five key basic physical characteristics:

A continuous, high performance thermal envelope
A continuous, high performance airtight layer
Thermal bridging to be understood and included in the energy modelling
Solar gains and shading considered, together with high performance glazing and external doors
Quiet and efficient Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery

As well as defining principles & characteristics, addressing risks and how they can affect your bottom line – the paper also provides useful guidelines for clients.

The Trust is developing the above paper into an easily digestible short primer which we hope to have available soon. Join our mailing list to keep up to date with all the latest Passivhaus activities.