the passivhaus energy design standard

a rigorous, voluntary building energy standard focusing on a high performance envelope with a resulting minimized mechanical system

the passivhaus standard

•Heating Energy Use < 15 kWh/m2yr (4,750 BTU/ft2yr)•Peak Heat Load < 10 W/m2 (3.2 BTU/hr.ft2)•Airtightness: n50 < 0.6 ACH (a typical residence is 5)•Total Primary Energy Use < 120 kWh/m2yr (38,000 BTU/ft2yr)

Concept Origin: “Tunneling through the cost barrier” –Amory Lovins

the passivhaus concept

First Minimize Losses…•Superinsulated & Airtight Envelope without thermal bridges•Heat Recovery Ventilation, >80% efficiency

Then Maximize Gain…•Passive Solar Gain (often optional)•Thermal mass (commensurate with solar gain)

the passivhaus concept

the energy modeling design tool

The “Passive House Planning Package” (PHPP) •An Excel-based steady-state energy design program•Extremely detailed•Calculations are transparent and customizable

superinsulation without thermal bridges

Windows:Triple-pane with insulated framesInset within wall profile

superinsulation without thermal bridges

Miscellaneous Details…

simplified mechanical system

The “magic box”

passivhaus development…

CEPHEUS Project of 1999-2000

passivhaus development…

passivhaus development…

passivhaus arrives in the US…

“passive house” development in the US

12” Trusjoist TJI’s as wall studs

the passive house & affordable housing

www.e-colab.org

the passive house & custom housing

Passive Conservation(Envelope Investment)

Active Generation(Solar Collector Investment)

Where is the optimum point on this spectrum?

Taos, New Mexico

passive house news…

October 19, 2007… Winner of the Solar Decathalon:Technische Universität Darmstadt

passive house news…

Presentations by:Harold Orr, Canadian Research CouncilBill Rose, Building Research Council, Univ. of IllinoisJohn Broniek, IBACOSMarc Rosenbaum, Energy SmithsManfred Brausem, Architect