Passiv Haus or Passive House

Passiv Haus is a energy standard that is widely used across Europe and has an impressive track record in delivering very energy efficient buildings.

In order to achieve Passiv Haus standards you need to really use the main elements of passive solar design combined with excellent insulation standards and air tightness from the start. However buildings have been refurbished to Passiv Haus standards as well, although this is generally more problematic. 

Passiv Haus has a requirement of a maximum of 15 kWh per sq m per annum for a building, and an airtightness of 0.6 changes per hour. The airtightness issue is then overcome using a heat exchange ventilation system that regulates ventilation and heat flow throughout the building. 

In order to calculate structural, glazing, ventilation requirements a computer programme called the Passiv Haus Planning Package is required. RDE has the PHPP and has the skills required (thanks to training from the AECB) to work out heat loads etc for buildings.

So, if you want to run your design through the PHPP to see whether you are close to the Passiv Haus standards please contact us.

So far we have not gone through a full certification process - there are only 1 or 2 Passiv Haus' in the UK at present, but we are more than willing to work this through with any particular project.