Passivhaus Design

“Passivhaus is Comfort with a Clean Conscience”

Passivhaus buildings are buildings (not just houses) that are built to the Passivhaus standard (otherwise spelt Passive House standard). These buildings consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

Build times are reduced when built with prefabricated building elements.

Unlike buildings built to minimum code (NCC) requirements Passivhaus buildings performance is measured at completion of construction. This step gives you more peace of mind that the builder has delivered what you asked for.

If you expect a building built to the current standards to not have condensation and mould think again!!! Passivhaus Homes are designed, calculated and certified after completion to avoid uncontrolled moisture issues. This means that the air inside your Passivhaus is cleaner and protects your family from a multitude of health issues.

There has been recent australian case studies of the improved health outcomes for people who suffer from allergies and hayfever as well as reduction lung condition symptoms.

Passivhaus come in all shapes, sizes and styles. It can be traditional, contemporary, industrial, hampton’s, coastal or classical.

The beauty of Passivhaus is that it is a building standard that helps you measure the performance of your building at the design stage completely agnostic as to design style as it is pure maths.

The indoor temperature range will generally be maintained between 20-25 degrees year round. In the recent 2019 heat waves and bushfire season, when temperatures were around 40 degrees for two weeks, one Passivhaus in the Blue Mountains did not go above 27 degrees internally.

Think about wearing shorts all year round without a AC or heater running non-stop.

In the first year, the additional financial daily burden is $4.73. In the tenth year it is reduced to $2.77. In the 19th year the burden flips to financial freedom. In year 31 the daily benefit is $15.17. The increase in cost can be as low as 5% higher than conventional building.

Most buildings built to the minimum building code will need all year round air heating or cooling. Your Passivhaus will mean that you possibly will not need an air conditioner at all, or it may be that your air conditioner will only be needed a few days a year.