When it comes to building homes that are both energy-efficient and incredibly comfortable, Passivhaus (aka Passive House) standards are leading the way. These standards focus on creating buildings that use minimal energy for heating and cooling, while maintaining excellent air quality and thermal comfort year-round.
Let’s take a closer look at how these principles were applied to Binowee House, a great example of a Passivhaus in action.
What are Passivhaus Standards?
Passivhaus standards originated in Germany and are now recognised globally as a benchmark for energy-efficient construction. Homes built to these standards feature:
- Airtightness: Reducing drafts and energy loss.
- Insulation: Helping indoor temperatures to remain stable, no matter the weather outside.
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR): Ensuring fresh air is brought in from outside while retaining warmth in winter and cool air in summer.
- Minimal energy use: Reducing the need for heating and cooling systems.
Binowee Hemphaus: A Passivhaus success story
Binowee Hemphaus holds the coveted title of Australia’s first Passivhaus certified home made from hempcrete. Located by the beautiful Yarra River, this projects shows how Passivhaus design can work in a real home. Here’s how Passivetech helped make it happen:
- Supplied and installed, a Zehnder MVHR system, which assists with the continuous flow of fresh air without compromising energy efficiency.
- Conducted multiple blower door tests to detect and fix leaks.
- Reduced energy consumption due to the home’s ability to maintain an optimal temperature with minimal heating or cooling.
The impact of Passivhaus standards
Homes like Binowee Hemphaus demonstrate that achieving comfort and efficiency without excessive energy use is entirely possible.Are you inspired to learn more about how you can make your home comfortable and healthy? Contact Passivetech today to discover how our suite of products can work together to help you achieve this in your home.
