Passive Houses – the Secrets By Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Feist, University of InnsbruckandPassive House Institute, May 2010If you want to explore all the secrets … just look at www.passipedia.orgI am often asked: What is the secret behind the success of Passive Houses? Why did it became the leading orientation for buildings of the future worldwide? I collected some reasons, may be that these are not complete – I might have to add some other ones. But this is, why I think, Passive Houses became the yardstick for the measurement of sustainable construction. 1) It's practice, not just theory http://bit.ly/PassiveHouseExamples There are Ten thousands of realized Passive Houses, Thousands of them with a thorough documentation. The Passive House concept is open to the public – it’s not a secret! 2) It's workinghttp://j.mp/PH_monitoringLot’s of advertisement has been made in the past for lot’s of energy saving promises – not all of them had shown to be valid. The Passive House concept is clearly stated, it’s published, it has been demonstrated and lot’s of examples have been monitored. There is a solid statistics for the energy savings achieved: And these are tremendous: In the range of 90% of the heating energy used in conventional existing buildings are shown to be saved in practice. And still some 80% saved compared to typical new-built which fulfil contemporary requirements of the governments. That is what we call tried and tested, well approved.
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By Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Feist, University of Innsbruck and Passive House Institute , May 2010
If you want to explore all the secrets … just look at www.passipedia.org
I am often asked: What is the secret behind the success of Passive Houses? Why did it
became the leading orientation for buildings of the future worldwide?
I collected some reasons, may be that these are not complete – I might have to add some
other ones. But this is, why I think, Passive Houses became the yardstick for the
measurement of sustainable construction.
1) It's practice, not just theory http://bit.ly/PassiveHouseExamples
There are Ten thousands of realized Passive Houses, Thousands of them with a
thorough documentation. The Passive House concept is open to the public – it’snot a secret!
2) It's working http://j.mp/PH_monitoring
Lot’s of advertisement has been made in the past for lot’s of energy saving
promises – not all of them had shown to be valid. The Passive House concept is
clearly stated, it’s published, it has been demonstrated and lot’s of examples havebeen monitored. There is a solid statistics for the energy savings achieved: And
these are tremendous: In the range of 90% of the heating energy used in
conventional existing buildings are shown to be saved in practice. And still some
80% saved compared to typical new-built which fulfil contemporary requirements of
the governments. That is what we call tried and tested, well approved.
om the nuclear industry? Electricity will drop in costs
s far, that it will not be wise to even measure the consumption you have – this
in and again, last time, in connection with the liberation of
many is some 250 € (per year!). That’s what others normally
y efficiency”-path is much more economi-
sive for the consumers.
6)
a
kind of promise came agathe market for electricity. In reality most of us have seen electricity prices rising in
the past decades – and where it didn’t rise, there have been significant tax payer
paid subventions. This is not surprising – as long as our electricity consumption
mainly depends on not sustainable energy sources – which are going to be more
and more expensive.
But: Now, in a Passive House, the total energy consumption is so low, that it is not
necessary to meter. You heard right – the heating bill in a typical 100 m² Passive
House dwelling in Ger
pay per month. The costs for doing the measurements of heat consumption is inthe range of 100 €/yr. And doing the measurement, you might save 15% of the
energy – that would be just some 38 €/yr – it’ not worth the effort! Therefore, there
are already projects, in which measurements have been totally suspended and a
“flat rate” has been announced instead.
So, efficiency can already today fulfil a promise , energy suppliers came up with
– but never came even near to make it happen.
Or, to say it in another way: The “energ
cally attractive than the “oil, coal and nuclear”-path. It’s not just cleaner, healthier
and environmentally sound – it’s also less expen
Everybody can learn it: http://bit.ly/PassDesign
So, the secret is – that it is NOT a secret. Every architect
and every civil engineer can learn how to build a Passive
me information needed, some
7)
House. Yes, there is so
know how required. It’s like learning to swim or learning
to ride a bike. But, after being informed about the
principle and after having gained some experience –
everyone, who can build a home also can build aPassive House. There are special educational programs
available in all parts of Europe and America to learn this
competence.
default http://bit.ly/PassComfort Best thermal comfort by
With a well insulated building envelope a home, an office and every other space
used by persons automatically has improved indoor thermal comfort conditions,
perature differences.less temperature differences, less drafts, less radiation tem
Liz Male put it this way: “Passivhaus is a fantastic comfort standard(not just energy & carbon standard) – that will make it a
winning proposition”. Bill Butcher: “This is green without the