Passive house construction: what are the standards?

Construction of passive houses

The passive house is a construction that combines comfort in all seasons and energy savings. It has specific technical characteristics and energy performance significantly higher than low-energy housing. If you want to build a passive house, find out the applicable standards and the conditions to be met.  

Understanding the passive house concept

Today, the passive house interests more and more investors because it is obvious that it will become a reference in the years to come, as the low-energy house is currently in France.  

The passive house is characterized by a constant indoor temperature, regardless of the season. The occupants enjoy comfortable living during the summer season, but also in winter. The infrastructure installed allows the natural environment of the building to be used for energy supply in order to reduce heating costs to a minimum. The passive house concept was created in Germany and comes from the expression "Passivhaus". It arrived in France around 2005, thanks to the initiatives of the Grenelle de l'Environnement.

The passive house concept, or house without heating, is based on a set of principles that ensure optimal thermal comfort by limiting energy needs. The Passive House relies on these 5 main principles to propose a global solution of bioclimatic design. It provides high performance in terms of insulation, ventilation and hygrothermal comfort: 

  • A bioclimatic design 
  • High-performance insulation 
  • Controlled ventilation 
  • An optimal hygrothermal comfort (summer and winter comfort) 
  • Low and controlled energy consumption 

What are the technical characteristics of the passive house?

The passive house is characterized by a high level of thermal insulation that effectively reduces heat loss. The insulating materials are thicker than those of a standard house or a low-energy property. Thermal and acoustic comfort is also improved, thanks to reinforced insulation and a better ventilation system. Airtightness, ventilation and air quality are also optimized thanks to high-performance building materials.
A passive house is a building that is practical, comfortable, efficient, autonomous, etc. And economical in terms of energy input. It is also easier to heat, because it uses a renewable energy source and does not require additional energy for heat production.
Passive heating is an ideal solution to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The construction of a passive house represents a real step towards energy sobriety in the building. 

passive house

Passive house: which heating system?

The passive house must be equipped with a heating system with an excellent energy performance thanks to the use of renewable energy. Solar water heaters, heat pumps, etc. are to be preferred. The property itself limits its heating needs thanks to the performance of its thermal insulation.  

The materials

The materials used for the doors and windows must have very good insulating properties. It is recommended to install triple glazing, roller shutters and blinds to protect you from the heat in summer and the cold in winter.  

Use energy-efficient electrical equipment and appliances. Consult the energy labels to be sure you are making a wise investment. Opt for low-energy light bulbs and LEDs. Check the energy consumption of ovens, refrigerators and the various food processors you want to use. To help you make the right choice, don't hesitate to contact a EUROMAC2 consultant. 

Towards a more responsible and efficient real estate

The passive house is the one that will surely meet the possible changes of regulations in the years to come. You will save a lot of money in the long term thanks to an almost non-existent energy bill. The ecological footprint of your energy consumption is considerably reduced. When you carry out work that complies with current standards, you can more easily obtain the financial aid (Zero Rate Loan, reduced VAT rate, financial aid from local authorities, MaPrimeRenov ", etc.) provided by the government to encourage this type of project.  

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