What are the Benefits of Living in a Passive House?
In this blog, we will cover some of the benefits of living in a passive house, which improves the quality and longevity of the home and provides a healthier home for its occupants.
A passive house maintains a consistently comfortable environment throughout the year by eliminating fluctuations in temperature. It also prevents mould growth, fostering a healthier living environment. Additionally, it guarantees a continuous supply of fresh, pollutant-free air while minimising the need for heating and cooling.
So, What is a Passive House?
A Passive House (‘Passivhaus’ in German, where the concept originated) is fundamentally about building science and clever design. The design principles and performance criteria deliver healthy, comfortable, and efficient buildings, using 80-90% less energy than a standard home. A passive house boasts proper insulation, airtight construction, high-quality windows, and reliable ventilation systems with heat recovery.
Benefits of Passive House
There are many benefits to building and living in a custom home with passive house elements. When deciding if a passive house is for you, consider the options of building to full passive house standards and obtaining certification or simply integrating select passive house elements to enhance your standard and quality of life.
Some of the benefits of living in a passive house include:
Building Performance— Passive homes boast a low energy demand, high levels of comfort, effective and healthy ventilation, and are resilient and durable. They are built to last by eliminating internal humidity and providing ventilation, allowing the building to breathe. Using sustainable materials and ethical building practices means a smaller environmental footprint.
Health and Well-being— Passive house design significantly enhances the overall well-being of occupants through improved indoor air quality. Having a heat recovery unit ensures good levels of ventilation essential for well-being and removes internal pollutants. This helps manage internal humidity to eliminate condensation and mould and safeguards against external air pollutants.
Peace and Quiet—Passive homes feature increased insulation, glazing, and a well-sealed building envelope. These work together to significantly reduce noise from outside, creating a serene and comfortable living space.
Energy Savings – The sealed thermal envelope means passive homes are extremely energy efficient, using 80-90% less energy than a standard home. The indoor temperature is maintained at a consistent, comfortable 20-25°C regardless of the temperature outside, helping you save money on heating and cooling bills. Passive house construction lowers carbon emissions and decreases peak energy demand, reducing the overall necessity for renewable energy sources. This approach offers the optimal pathway to achieving net-zero energy buildings.
Social and economic— Passive house designs not only lead to lower energy bills and maintenance costs but also reduce demand for health and social services by contributing to improved health and well-being. They enhance the skills of the construction workforce and enable access to cheaper time-of-day tariffs, offering further savings and economic benefits.
Building a Passive House with Custom Home Builder Live Green Homes
As experienced Passive House builders in Geelong, The Surf Coast, and The Bellarine, our team has the expertise to create a custom home that aligns with passive home design principles while reflecting your unique style and needs.
Contact the Live Green Homes team to start building your high-performance or passive house.