Passivhaus

The Passivhaus, or Passive House, standard is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint. Originating from Germany, the concept aims to create structures that require very little energy for heating or cooling. Achieving this standard means a dramatic reduction in energy bills while ensuring exceptional comfort within the building. As Certified Passivhaus Designers, we can assist you with the design and delivery of your Passivhaus project from inception to completion

Design

The process begins with the design phase, emphasising airtightness, high-performance windows, and continuous insulation without thermal bridges. The use of a heat recovery ventilation system ensures consistent fresh air, making the interior comfortable and improving indoor air quality. Solar gains are managed to exploit the sun's energy for heating and minimizing overheating risks.

Certification

To be recognised as a Passivhaus, the building must undergo rigorous testing and meet specific criteria. This is where certification comes into play. Certification ensures that standards have been met, offering quality assurance to homeowners and developers.

The role of the European Passivhaus Designer

A Certified European Passivhaus Designer (CEPHD) is a professional trained specifically in the principles of the Passivhaus standard. Their role includes:

Designing buildings that fulfill the stringent requirements.
Advising on materials, construction methods, and technologies to achieve the desired energy performance.
Simulating energy performance using specialised software.
Collaborating with other professionals to ensure the project's feasibility and success.

Rich is a Certified European Passivhaus Designer and can perform this role in tandem with his role as an architect.

The role of a Passivhaus Certifier

A Passivhaus certifier is an individual or entity accredited by the Passivhaus Institute to verify and certify that a building meets the Passivhaus criteria. Their responsibilities include:

Reviewing project documentation and design.
Conducting on-site inspections.
Performing or verifying blower door tests for airtightness.
Ensuring that the project meets all the required standards.
Granting certification upon successful verification.

We work with Certifiers and can source one for your project at the appropriate time.

The Passivhaus standard offers a promising approach to sustainable construction by focusing on extreme energy efficiency. The roles of both the designer and the certifier are crucial to ensure that buildings meet these demanding requirements.