Passive House: What It Is and How It Works

PASSIVE HOUSE

Little by little, even in the face of many bureaucratic obstacles and bad information, Italians are discovering the value and convenience, from all points of view, of the passive houseAfter Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Northern European countries, here we are: this type of house for Italians like, and these constructions, which can be in different materials, are multiplying. Even in the absence of a precise census, which has yet to be completed, and without distinguishing those that are perfectly certified from those that are passive in fact, the house with the maximumenergy efficiency, and savings, is thus entering our lifestyles and in our residential desires. But let's take a closer look at how passive houses work, what advantages they present in terms of reduction of energy costs and waste elimination, and where there are models that everyone can consider to realize their dream of a super sustainable home.

ALSO READ: Passive house: This Asti villa has no radiators or air conditioning.

WHAT IS A PASSIVE HOUSE?

Le passive house Currently, there are 50 certified as such worldwide. Not many, certainly. And in Europe, they are distributed as follows: 7 thousand in Germany, in Austria 4 thousand, in France 3.500. However, the diffusion is growing at an exponential rate, also because, finally, it is being understood that the property (or the entire building) passive is not an exclusive for wealthy clients.

PASSIVE HOUSE: COSTS

Its construction costs are higher than the average for traditional buildings, between 6 and 8 percent more, but this expense is amortized in a period of no more than a decade. Furthermore, the passive house not only exploits the sun and natural resources for the warm-up and cooling, but also involves the use of “poor” materials, such as for example the Wood, which can even lead to savings. As well as an aesthetic turnaround, which cannot displease anyone. To owners and tenants, to builders and architects, to neighbors and to the families in the area.

TO LEARN MORE: Green roofs: The bonus is confirmed for 2016. A 65 percent tax deduction is available. 

ENERGY SAVING PASSIVE HOUSE

Italy, as usual, is navigating the frontiers of change and new lifestyles. Our passive house there are still a few hundred, concentrated in the North, in Trentino and Friuli Venezia Giulia, but they have also sprung up in Sicily, such as in the province of Catania. Yet we have the natural resources to design passive houses, we are a world leader in quality materials, and we have made significant progress in innovation and research in construction.

(Image source: The Sun 24 hours).

REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION WITH PASSIVE HOUSES

What's still missing for a driving force is the public sector, which could invest in this energy revolution for its buildings. This is especially true because the numbers are so important. With passive houses (and buildings), in fact, the energy consumption is at least 10 times lower to the traditional onesDoes that seem like a small amount to you? There's even a risk that anyone who wants to venture into a "waste-free" home might get a great deal: green, the real kind, not the kind faked by marketing, is only destined to grow. And the passive house could be a excellent investment.

FALSE MYTHS ABOUT PASSIVE HOUSES

IT HEATS ITSELF

Obviously not, it doesn't heat up on its own. But it is designed and built with a strong focus on insulation and on the ability to retain heat and not disperse it. In order to make heating possible with a minimal heat source, usually from themaximum energy efficiencyThe same clearly applies to the cooling system. In conclusion, the passive house doesn't heat itself; it heats itself economically, with maximum efficiency, and then retains the maximum amount of heat possible to achieve maximum comfort with minimum expenditure.

IT CAN ONLY BE BUILT IN SUNNY AREAS

No, no, and no. After all, the passive house standard originated in Northern Europe, a part of the world not exactly known for its exposure to sunlight. Let's not confuse the energy self-sufficiency of buildings with the use of alternative energy sources such as solar panels. solar panels, with the Passivhaus standard. There have been experiences of passive houses transported to high altitudes in winter, demonstrating that environmental conditions are highly relative.

YOU CANNOT CONVERT AN EXISTING HOUSE INTO A PASSIVE BUILDING

This observation is only partially true. It's very difficult to convert an existing home into a new passive house, but significant improvements can be made that bring it significantly closer. One example is the standard. EnerPHit – quality-controlled redevelopment with passive house components.

PASSIVE HOUSE DOUBLES CONSTRUCTION COSTS

False. In reality, however, the opposite is true, as the cost of building buildings to passive house standards continues to decrease as research and availability of materials and the devices to build them. By increasing research on materials, their availability, as well as construction efficiency, buildings with a absolutely competitive price.

IN A PASSIVE HOUSE YOU CANNOT OPEN THE WINDOWS

Absolutely falseThere are no houses with sealed windows, unless they're called sarcophagi. Windows are absolutely usable, although, obviously, passive houses perform much better with ventilation systems at full capacity. Moreover, even common-sense advice on not wasting electricity often emphasizes the need to keep windows open for a short time to avoid dissipate heat.

The photos are taken from the Facebook pages of Biohaus – high energy efficiency green building and DomusGaia.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS:

• Gas and electricity bills can also be cut by making purchases together. Like groceries,
• Electricity costs and bills: 5 simple steps to save and avoid waste
• Green roofs: why they're worth it: lower bills (-25 percent), clean air, and less noise.