Originally developed in Germany in the 1990s, Passive Houses are designed to be incredibly energy efficient. With a high level of insulation and an airtight building envelope, they’re designed to harness nature to minimise heat loss/gain and control annual solar heat gain.

If you’re thinking about whether or not to build a passive house, there are definitely plenty of benefits.

Energy Efficient. Passive houses can save up to 90% of the energy used to heat and cool a conventionally built property. High-quality external insulation and secure windows ensure that less heat escapes the property. Plus, with an additional heat recovery system, households have to pay very little towards their energy bills to maintain temperatures.

Comfort. Maintaining an even temperature throughout the home eliminates drafts. Plus, a constant supply of fresh, clean air means that the interior never feels stuffy, stale or overheated.

Healthy and Quiet.  Natural cooling and heating systems eradicate the need for bulky external ventilation machines, while high performing insulation and windows protect occupants from outside noise pollution.

Affordable. In the long run, passive houses will save occupiers plenty on their utility bills each month. Plus, as home are built to last, not much money is needed for on-going maintenance or repairs. The initial costs are also surprisingly affordable. Without the expensive installation of external heating and cooling systems, the higher-quality building material prices do not seem too bad.

Versatile. Passive house design is made to withstand all kinds of weather. There are no limitations to how or where passive houses can be built, so long as they meet the standard.

Eco-Friendly. Most compelling of all, by using fewer external energy sources to manage the home’s internal temperature, passive houses significantly cut down on their ecological footprint.