Welcome to the Passive House Walla Walla Blog

This blog is an open source of information for those interested in learning about our process of designing and building a home to the Passive House Energy Standard.



Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What is a Passive House?

Representing today's highest energy efficient standard, a Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that minimizes energy losses and is primarily heated by passive solar gain, internal gains from people, electrical equipment, and only a very small heating source.  Energy is not wasted in a Passive House.  Ventilation with high efficiency energy recovery provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply that results in an impressive system that supplies superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and energy performance. 

Over 10,000 housing units in the last 15 years have been built in Europe to the Passive House Energy Standard resulting in an amazing 90% savings in space conditioning and an overall 75% savings in total energy use. 

Recently, Alex Wilson posted an in depth article at buildinggreen.com that discusses the Passive House standard and approach.  It's a great article if you want to have a closer look at what Passive Houses are all about!   

http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2010/3/31/Passive-House-Arrives-in-North-America-Could-It-Revolutionize-the-Way-We-Build/
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6 comments:

  1. party bagsMay 25, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    Actually I have no idea about this passive house. But at least now, I have a background of what is this thing all about.

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  2. PlumbingJune 2, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Its the first time i heard something about a Passive House, But now like party bags i now know something about it after reading your blog. Thanks!

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  3. PlaymobilJune 24, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Solar access is a very important factor in any design of a passive house as it allows the structure to use the solar energy to heat and lighten the space naturally, replace electrical water heaters with solar-energy-based water heaters, in addition to providing a healthy environment inside the building.

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  4. Solar Craft DesignJune 30, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Thanks for the input Playmobil. Free passive solar energy through south facing provides a nice portion of this home's already small heating requirement and daylighting requirements. The solar hot water will provide roughly 68% of the domestic hot water needs with backup provides by a electric heating coil in the upper portion of the solar water tank.

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  5. Double GlazingJuly 9, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    A passive house refers to the rigorous, voluntary, standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownApril 30, 2015 at 12:14 AM

    Your blog is awesome and really helpful for readers. The Eco Refurbishment is a London based environmental construction company.

    ReplyDelete

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