DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION

Passive Houses

The term ”Passive House” is used to describe a building with almost zero energy consumption (nZEB). More specifically, within all its spaces, thermal comfort is ensured for its users annually, consuming the minimum possible amount of energy for heating and cooling.

In order to construct a passive house, a number of design and construction tools are used in combination, such as correct orientation, shading, summer ventilation, adequarte and non-intermittent thermal insulation of the building envelope, avoidance of thermal bridges, airtightness, suitable frames with appropriate installation and, of course, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

THE FIVE
KEY PRINCIPLES

Thermal insulation

Proper and well-designed insulation is a key feature of Passive Houses. It is the jacket we use in the snow or the thermos in which we keep a hot or cold beverage.

By installing it, we slow down and minimize heat flow from opaque building elements.
(ground slab, roof, walls).

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Thermal bridges

Thermal bridges are the weak points of the building envelope, which either remain un-insulated or the main insulation is interrupted.

In buildings, thermal bridges are usually formed by balconies, parapets or any other projection or discontinuity in the shell.

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Frames

Frames with a coefficient of less than 1w/m2K, thermally broken frame, triple glazing and plastic spacer.

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Air tightness

Ensuring airtightness is the easiest and most cost-effective way to upgrade a building’s energy efficiency.

The installation of airtightness tapes during the installation of frames, as well as membranes in the dry construction and roofing of the building, are some of the techniques by which unwanted air exchange between the interior (air that has been heated or cooled, at a cost-effective and energy-efficient expense) and the exterior can be avoided.

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Mechanical ventilation
with heat recovery

Mechanical
ventilation
with heat
recovery

It is the only mandatory mechanical installation of a passive building. In particular, mechanical ventilation removes the indoor air from rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, recovering heat.

At the same time it introduces outside air, after filtering and preheating/pre-cooling it, using the recovered heat. Finally, it transfers it to the bedrooms, living room and other rooms of the building.

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Why
passive
Building

Why passive house

For the passive house, compared to a conventional building, a comprehensive design is carried out by a qualified team of engineers, detailed studies and a specialized application study, which follows the entire construction process, without increasing the cost of construction.
A process that should be taken for granted and should govern every modern design and construction.

Therefore, the correct question is why not a passive house?

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