Guide To Passive Houses And How They Work

As a home buyer, you might be seeking any and all options on your hunt for the perfect home. As a seller, you want potential buyers to see the value of your home and the unique features it has to offer.

If you’re buying, you shouldn’t let the idea of a passive house confuse you or deter you from looking at one. You may even find that a passive house is a good fit for your lifestyle. If you’re a seller who happens to own a passive home, on the other hand, you should make sure you present the house as an opportunity the buyer shouldn’t pass up – after all, some of the benefits of a property like this are undeniable.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what a passive house is and all that it entails, so you can decide whether buying or selling one of these homes is in your future.

What Is A Passive House?

A passive house can be defined as an energy efficient building that provides a high level of comfort during all weather conditions and is environmentally friendly. It’s designed to take full advantage of the sun’s energy for heating in the winter and shade throughout the summer.

In simpler terms, it won’t take up as much power to heat or cool a passive building. In order for the building to be a passive house, it must be designed to embody a few set principles that seal it from outside temperatures while also stabilizing the inside temperature and high air quality.

The Principles Of A Passive House Design

As we’ve mentioned, a passive house must embody a certain set of principles in order to be labeled as a passive home. In order for passive houses to work, the homes need to have constant insulation, triple-paned windows and a substantial system to control the air quality. Let’s take a look at the five requirements of a passive house design:

1. Mechanical ventilation. The building standard must be equipped with high-quality ventilation that will recover the heat from used air and then transfer it to the fresh air that’s coming in. By using mechanical ventilation, you’re ensuring that the least amount of energy is lost, and that the indoor air quality remains good.

2. High-performance windows. In order for the whole building envelope to be insulated, it’s important to use high-quality windows that have low thermal conductivity. It’s important to note that you’ll still be able and allowed to open your windows as you please inside a passive home; you don’t have to keep them shut at all times.

3. Thermal bridge-free design. All of the floors, walls and roof need to be insulated with no gaps. Not needing thermal bridging in a passive house will in turn reduce your need for heating or cooling in order to maintain a comfortable temperature.

4. Airtight construction. Airtightness in a passive house must be taken to a higher level. There shouldn’t be any uncontrolled airflow between the inside and outside exterior. By having an airtight construction, you’re improving your indoor air quality by stopping moisture from accumulating, effectively providing yourself with a more comfortable living.

5. Insulated envelopes. Insulation is key when it comes to the design of a passive house. High-performance insulation is environmentally friendly, and will serve to minimize the heat exchange between the outside environment and inside.

Passive Solar House Vs. Passive House Standards

Now we know that a passive house needs to have mechanical ventilation, high-performance windows, no thermal bridging, airtight construction and insulated envelopes. Passive solar houses need to have the following design requirements:

• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Shading
• Zoning
• Orientation
• Thermal mass
• Glazing

Passive solar homes are designed to operate without any mechanical cooling (and sometimes without heating, depending on the location). It all comes down to what you’re in the market for, or what you’d like the design of your home to be if you’re building from scratch.

The Value Of A Passive Home

Every home comes with its own price tag – and a passive home can come with a hefty one, especially if you’re constructing one. If you’re buying a passive home, it’ll cost more than a traditional style home but is likely to be worth the investment in the long run. If you’re selling a passive home, odds are you’ll be making some extra cash because of its value and unique features.

The Market Value Of A Passive House

If you’re in the market for a new home and a passive house is on your list, you should make sure you understand the market value and why it might cost more. According to the Passive House Alliance, a passive house typically costs 5 – 10% more than a conventional home. You may be paying more for the home upfront, but your energy bill will be significantly lower.

The Resale Value Of A Passive House

If you currently own a passive house and you’re looking to sell it, most likely you’ll be able to get a higher return on your investment. If a passive house costs 5 – 10% more than a conventional home, it might be worth it to put the house on the market. You’ll be able to showcase all of the features it contains that might entice the buyer to pick your house over another. More individuals these days might lean toward an energy-saving, high-performance home versus a fixer-upper, if it’s turnkey-ready.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Pass On A Passive House

Still confused about what a passive house is? Put simply, any property can be labeled as passive if it features the five design principles we’ve discussed above. It’s important to know the benefits these features might have on you, your environment and your wallet – especially if you’re in the market for a new home and have an open mind.

If you’re still not quite sure if a passive house is the right house for you, reach out to a real estate agent. They have the knowledge to guide you through the remaining process, and answer any remaining questions you may have.