What is the difference between passive homes and high-performance homes?
The most significant difference between a passive house and a high-performance home is that a passive home has to be certified to meet German passive house standards. Whereas a high performance house will go through the same construction process without certification but is very close to a passive home.
Can I open my windows in a passive home?
Passive houses are designed to provide good indoor air quality all the time regardless of external conditions and therefore you do not need to open the windows to get fresh air. However, there is no reason not to have opening windows and to open them if you wish. Opening windows do not have significantly negative impact on air quality. However, because a passive house/high performance house is very airtight and has mechanical ventilation you won’t feel like you need to open windows to get fresh air. The ventilation system will supply all clean fresh air that you need.Passive homes can look similar to traditional houses. However, they are distinguishable by a few key features. First, they rely on adding insulation to create a thermally resistant envelope, are very airtight, high performance windows and require ventilation system with a Heat Recovery Unit (HRV) which ensures excellent ventilation year-round.
What are the long-term gains of building a passive home?
Passive houses prioritise comfort, functionality and a healthy interior climate. They remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer without using traditional heaters or air conditioning units. As a result, passive house buildings use up to 75-90% less energy than conventional buildings, meaning greater comfort with much lower energy bills and less environmental damage. The International Passive House Association defines passive houses as sustainable, affordable, healthy and comfortable.Yes, they currently are 10 – 15% more expensive. But you are getting a much higher quality, energy efficient and a healthier home. The biggest barrier making it more expensive is supply and demand in NZ. The more Passive House certified building we have under construction in NZ the lower the construction cost will be.
Can I renovate a home to make it a passive home?
Renovations cannot always bring a home up to the same standard as a new passive house. But with clever planning and construction a renovations can achieve good results. Energy savings of up to 90% have been achieved. Renovations can be measured against the Passive House Institute's EnerPHit – Quality-Approved Energy Retrofit with Passive House Components” Certificate. Do passive homes suit the NZ climate?
Passive houses are designed to adapt to the climate they are built in. A passive house in Sweden for example will need substantially more in-wall insulation than a Wellington-based home. Passive homes are fully bespoke and will be built to spec in relation to location, orientation and the outdoor climate.
