The term Passivhaus is gaining a lot of importance in recent years. These houses are an idea that originated in 1988 in Germany by Professor Wolfgang Feist, and the first Passivhaus house was built in 1990. Six years later the Passivhaus Institute was created and today, the term has become a standardization system.

What is a Passivhaus house?

It is a house designed to maintain ideal atmospheric conditions inside, achieving energy savings of 70% to 90% compared to a conventional house. This is achieved through the principles of bioclimatic architecture and the use of renewable energies.

To achieve these characteristics, a Passivhaus house must have a zero thermal bridge, thermal insulation in floors, walls and ceilings, high thermal performance windows and doors, airtightness and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

Passivhaus benefits

Passive house or Passivhaus construction offers multiple economic, environmental and health benefits. These homes are energy efficient and are designed to maintain a comfortable indoor climate without the need for costly and unsustainable air conditioning systems.

From an economic point of view, the construction of passive houses generates a lower energy demand and, therefore, a clear saving in energy costs. In addition, these homes tend to maintain a higher market value compared to other homes that are not sustainable or energy efficient.

From an environmental point of view, the reduced use of energy resources has a direct impact on the environment, as fewer polluting gases are emitted into the atmosphere. By using sustainable and energy-efficient building materials, we are contributing to a more sustainable future for our planet.

In terms of health, passive houses improve indoor air quality and create thermal and acoustic comfort superior to traditional housing. In addition, the use of dual-flow ventilation with heat recovery ensures proper ventilation and improves energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Basic principles of a Passivhaus

To achieve maximum resource efficiency and improve the quality of life, passive houses are based on the following principles:

• Thermal insulation: the housing envelope is a key element in passive construction. For the house to be energy efficient, the floors, walls and roof must be properly insulated. In this way, energy losses in winter and gains in summer are avoided. At Abeiro, we understand the importance of using high quality insulation materials to achieve proper thermal insulation.
• Airtightness: The joints of the house are critical points that must be treated with special attention. To avoid air leaks to the interior or exterior, it is necessary that they are perfectly executed. In this way, energy loss or gain is reduced to a minimum.
• Windows and doors: These are other critical points of the housing envelope. It is necessary to carefully choose the materials with which they are built and pay attention to the correct execution of their installation to ensure that they have a high thermal performance.
• Thermal bridges: Thermal bridges are elements that impair energy efficiency and increase the risk of condensation. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to joints and structural elements to ensure the continuity of the thermal envelope.
• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is key in passive construction. Therefore, it is recommended to install a double-flow ventilation system with heat recovery to ensure proper ventilation and improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. This system exchanges the clean air entering from outside with the air extracted from inside, recovering up to 95% of the heat expelled. In this way, the air that enters the house does so at a temperature similar to that of the interior.

In summary, Passivhaus construction is a sustainable and efficient option that saves energy, improves air quality and provides a healthy and sustainable home. It is important to keep in mind that these buildings require a higher initial investment, but in the long run the energy savings and improved quality of life make them worth it.

Our team, with its preparation and certification, is able to offer a unique and customized design for these homes in Galicia. By using the right construction methods and materials, Abeiro guarantees optimal thermal insulation, electricity savings, near-zero heating consumption, natural lighting and air circulation to meet passive construction standards.