Passive House standard...achieving the results!

Passive houses work by making sure that heat is not lost through the fabric of the build. These houses are built according to a set of design principles, which are set to ensure that the build is eco friendly.  I'm sure you realise that a Passive house is all about the architectural design. This is vital for receiving the correct results. The design needs to ensure that it is airtight. ATSPACE is an excellent source of information on all compliance testing but essentially they will be able to help you with the air prerssure testing  concept and design of a Passive house.  As I mentioned, the basic principle of a Passive house is to make it virtually airtight and super insulated. These houses also use a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR) which essentially makes sure that your build will continuously have circulation of fresh air. The stale air that leaves the building passes the heat back into the incoming air which means that the total heat loss is minimal.  In summer, this process is reversed making sure that your home stays cool and that it maintains the circulation of fresh air. You won't regret undertaking one of these builds. The comfort that it will provide is amazing, and these builds are brilliant for both us and also the environment.   Passive houses are essentially a concept that will ensure the longevity of the build. Houses these days are being 'future proofed' and to do this efficiently they really need to be eco friendly. This doesn't just help the environment or even the Government's timeline but it ensures that the build itself is cheap, comfortable and efficient to run. There are many materials that can be used to build a Passive house as long as the principles of Passive house are adhered to.  When talking about these builds or any other eco builds for that matter, you will hear a lot about the thermal envelope. This is key and includes the outer walls, windows, roof, foundation and doors. This essentially prevents the heat loss from a house through the interior/exterior of the build. This is where your MVHR (Mechanical ventilation with Heat recovery) system will come into play.  Regardless of where you are in the world Passive builds and eco houses are here to stay and they are the future of construction. They make use of environmental elements and combine them with clever construction techniques, excellent design and suitable building materials.  The long-term savings from a Passive house can be huge. These are certainly homes that are designed for the long-run and the money that you invest in the build itself will be returned via cheap running costs throughout its lifetime.  The Passive house standard dictates no particular methods of construction, which means that your architect can design your build based on your desires and needs. The requirements are that you build to Passive house standard and you will need a certified assessor to assess your build. The future of construction is exciting, it is eco friendly and it is bright. Don't be afraid of Eco builds. The external design can be stunning, the materials can be versatile and the builds themselves will live on for years to come.