The passive house concept was first introduced in Germany in 1988. Along with the phrase coined by German architect Mies van der Rohe, “less is more” comes a green building technology that uses as little energy as possible to heat a home.
While the passive house concept is used widely in Scandinavia, as the focus on green building grows, so does the use of this technology around the world
What is a Passive House?
A passive home is a low energy building of which up to 90% of the indoor climate control is self sustaining. This means that only a fraction of the energy needed to warm a regular home goes into the heating of a passive home.
The first passive homes were built in Germany in 1990 with the German Passivhaus project. A passive home in itself is not an architectural style, but is an integrated process of green building technologies.
Passive houses will typically include several features that can help to heat and maintain the indoor climate of the home, including:
- Walls up to 13” in thickness
- Ceilings up to 20” thickness
- Additional insulation
- An open concept layout
- Advanced window technology
- Air tight sealing of all seams, windows and doors
- An air circulating system to provide ventilation and fresh air
- Supplemental space heating
- Low energy lighting and appliances
Styles of Passive Houses
While any new construction can be adapted to passive technology, many homes can also be refurbished to reduce energy costs using the passive house system. Therefore, there is no one architectural style that permeates the field.
Due to the open layout, however, many passive homes will tend toward a more modern appearance. The open floor plan is crucial to keep the air circulating at the same temperature throughout the home.
Builders, architects and homeowners intent on creating a green a home as possible, may also include the following in the passive home’s design:
- Recycled building materials such as glass tiles and reclaimed flooring
- Numerous windows to maximize the amount of sunlight to warm the home
- Modular building techniques which can reduce energy costs associated with the construction of the home
- Water saving appliances, such as low flow, 1.28 gallon toilets and water saver faucets
- Wool and recycled carpeting
- Bamboo flooring in the place of hardwood
While the vast majority of passive homes are found in Germany and Scandinavian countries, as the technology improves the system of building is beginning to become more widespread. For homeowners hoping to reduce their carbon footprint, and build green, the passive house is a way to not only build green, but live green as well.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
