Passive housing is an energy efficient standard that seeks to optimise heating and cooling through various construction materials, methods and building design. Passive house builds can reduce energy consumption by 90%.

It originated in Europe in the mid 1980s when low energy design had become a legal requirement for new buildings in Sweden and Denmark.

Dr Feist, known as the father of the Passive house movement, developed scientific foundations of the standard by quantifying energy losses in a building.

With his work with Bo Adamson, they came up with several fundamental components of buildings that would result in greater thermal efficiencies in buildings.

Click here to read more about Australia’s new energy efficient standard.

Passive house builds use insulation of around 90-400mm thickness which helps minimize cold bridging and protects from thermal stress.

Often caused by leaky fabric and openings in places such as bathroom fans, airtightness refers to the cold draughts from these openings which would cause occupant discomfort. The passive standard seeks to avoid these cold draughts to save energy and improves occupant comfort.

This requires particular design and care from the construction team. We work with architects and designers to ensure building design is considered draught-free construction.

In passive house builds double or triple glazing are almost totally draught free. These high quality windows and doors eliminate risk of condensation and mould growth and ensure airtightness of the building.

Installation is imperative to the airtightness of buildings which is why we take care in the installation process.

A well designed, installed and commissioned heat recovery ventilation saves around 90% of heat in stale air extracted from bathrooms and kitchens.

It also improves indoor air quality in urban locations and reduces airborne particulates which can cause adverse health effects.