Overview of PassivHaus dwellings
The term 'PassivHaus' refers to a specific construction standard for residential buildings which have excellent comfort conditions in both winter and summer. These principles can be applied not only to the residential sector as the name suggests, but also to commercial, industrial and public buildings.
PassivHaus dwellings:
- are the worlds leading standard in energy efficient construction
- are designed and built using a step-by-step approach
- use efficient components and a whole house ventilation system to achieve exceptionally low running costs
- are comfortable, healthy and sustainable
PassivHaus dwellings typically achieve an energy saving of 90% compared to existing housing.
In Europe more than 7,000 dwellings, with a wide variety of designs, have been built according to PassivHaus principles.
 | In January 2008, the European Parliament called on the Commission to propose a binding requirement that all new buildings needing to be heated and/or cooled are constructed to PassivHaus or equivalent non-residential standards from 2011, and a requirement to use passive heating and cooling solutions from 2008 |
