More than just a new fad, passive housing is an innovative construction style that gets your home to work for you. It is an energy-efficient, healthy and affordable standard. Reducing the building’s need for external heating and cooling machines lessens the homeowner’s expenses and ecological footprint. But, what is a passive house? And why should you follow this design in future?
Passive Housing
First built in Germany in 1991, passive houses have spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Essentially, passive housing is the voluntary standard for building homes that uses the property’s own structure to reduce energy use.
Harnessing nature, passive houses use the heat of the sun to warm the home and the air temperature to cool it. Built with superior insulation, airtight construction and energy-efficient windows, passive houses are carefully constructed.
Comfort, modernity and efficiency are at the heart of the passive house design.
The Benefits of A Passive House Design
The benefits of passive house building are endless. Not only do homeowners save money on energy bills, but they live in a more versatile and durable property.
Energy Efficient
According to the Australian Passive Housing Association, a passive house can save up to 90% of the energy used to heat and cool a conventionally built property. The high-quality external insulation and secure windows ensure that less heat escapes the property.
Plus, with an additional heat recovery system, households have to pay very little towards their energy bills to maintain temperatures.
As part of the Passive Housing Association, RapidRidge’s dry fixed roof style facilitates the natural cooling of air within the home. A natural ventilation system allows dry fixed roofs to circulate beneath the roof tiles and prevent hot air from descending into the house below. This makes for a healthier and fresher home with clean air without the use of expansive air-con systems.
Comfort
In such a technical and cleverly designed building, we might assume that comfort is left off the list. After all, efficiency is key. However, the work that a passive house design does to maintain an even temperature throughout the home and eliminate drafts means that there are few houses that feel as pleasant.
Plus, it has a constant supply of fresh, clean air, meaning that the interior never feels stuffy, stale or overheated. With the increase in the number of people working from home, we should pay more attention to the comfort levels inside our houses.
Healthy and Quiet
As mentioned, the natural cooling and heating systems eradicate the need for bulky external ventilation machines. Passive houses are built with high performing insulation and windows that protect occupants from outside noise pollution. Plus, natural ventilation systems, such as RapidRidge dry-fix roofing, maintain a constant circulation of fresh, healthy air.
Affordable
In the long run, a passive house will save occupiers plenty on their utility bills each month. The dry fixed roof alone can save you 5% on your energy bills. Imagine how much you can save with the complete passive house package.
Plus, as the home is built to last, no money should be spent on maintenance or repairs.
Yet, passive housing isn’t just cost-effective in the long run. The initial costs are also surprisingly affordable. Without the expensive installation of external heating and cooling systems, the higher-quality building material prices do not seem too bad.
Even if the construction of a passive house costs 10% more than a traditional house, it will still work out more cost-effective in the building’s lifecycle.
Versatile
We have seen how versatile these building structures are in the few decades since the first passive house was built. Initially a residential house standard, commercial properties are starting to be constructed using this design, including schools, offices, factories and swimming pools.
Furthermore, the Passive House Standard is suitable for all climates. From hot, scorching sun to torrential rain, the passive house design is made to withstand all kinds of weather. There are no limitations to how or where a passive house is built, so long as it meets the standard.
Construction Durability and Quality
Passive homes are built to last. The Passive House Standard places quality at its core. Each building is designed carefully before construction, leaving little room for error. As only high-quality materials are used, maintenance jobs should be few and far between (if ever).
The dry fixed roof is made to last over fifty years without repairs, unlike its mortar counterpart that cracks easily in changing temperatures. Not only will you save yourself maintenance costs, but your house will shoot up in value.
Eco-Friendly
The final benefit, but perhaps one of the most relevant ones, is the Passive House Standard’s commitment to sustainability. By using fewer external energy sources to manage the home’s internal temperature, passive houses significantly cut down on their ecological footprint.
If all the homes in Australia were built to the Passive House Standard, the country’s energy savings would be incredible. Fuel is one of the largest issues when it comes to creating a carbon-neutral world. Without the need for fuel, passive homes could be the future of housing construction.
Even if you’re not able to purchase a new, passive house, you can do your bit to save the planet by improving your home insulation or installing triple glazing windows.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps the most significant benefit of passive housing is that any house can be adapted to a passive house. While new homes should be built to this eco-friendly and energy-efficient standard, older buildings can be adjusted too. If your house needs its roof repaired or replaced, you can install a dry fixed roof with a ventilation system and begin to make your home work for you.
Passive housing has definitely found its feet in Europe and is beginning to transition over to Australia; will the next year see a rise of passive housebuilders.