What is Passive House construction?

Passive House or passivehaus, is an internationally recognised method of climate-friendly construction which achieves a 90% reduction of energy demands by efficient design and construction. The Passive House Building Standard reduces domestic carbon-emissions and provides functional and comfortable designs for homes to last lifetimes.

Passive Houses are known for their comfort. By taking advantage of the sun and internal heat sources and heat recovery, conventional heating systems become unnecessary during the winter, even in very cold temperatures. Passive Houses uses passive cooling methods during the summer, such as strategic shading to maintain cool Internal surface temperatures, even in extreme heat. Specialized windows and building envelopes which include a highly insulated roof and floor slab and insulated exterior walls manage the comfortable temperature in the house or keep unwanted heat out.

The practice of Passive House building is unique in how it uses building components such as windows, chosen specifically based on the particular climate of the project, to manage your home’s temperatures, summer and winter, reducing the need for excessive energy from heat or air-conditioning. Careful detail is considered with sealing windows to successfully prevent moisture entering the building which causes damp, mildew and mold. To manage warmer temperatures, Passive House building uses “recovery ventilation” which removes pollutants and provides fresh and filtered air.

The benefits of Passive House construction are energy conservation, moisture management and cost-effectiveness. The simplicity of Passive House methods and materials ensures a longer lasting house with lower maintenance, consequentially, much lower costs in the long-run. Passive House construction is 15% more energy efficient than new construction builds which manage only 75% reduction of heating and cooling methods.

Why Passive House?

Love Construction is based on the objective to “build like our future depends on it”.

Passive House Building Standards in our methods of construction ensures our work will last lifetimes, providing a better future for generations ahead whilst protecting our environment. Our founder Aaron is Passive House Building Standards certified to provide energy-efficient construction services across the Seattle-area and beyond. Love Construction works with quality suppliers and craftsmen to ensure standards are met and exceeded.

Passive House construction is an excellent solution for many in the Pacific Northwest for energy and moisture management. It is a cost-effective and green method for a long-lasting home.