The Passivhaus is an attempt to develop a new standard for high quality, low energy buildings. The basic idea was simple: set energy standards demanding that no other modern building technologies could come close to achieving them. A growing number of architects and engineers have embraced this challenge.
Many Passivhaus buildings have been constructed in countries like Europe, and it is starting to happen in the UK. There’s been a growing movement and a significant increase in eco-friendly homes being built worldwide, as people are beginning to recognise they need to take better care of the planet.
There’s no denying climate change is real; it has become one of the most significant issues facing us today. If you’re thinking about building your own home or renovating an existing property for sale, then – go green. Furthermore, Passivhaus houses and zero-carbon homes can give us a framework for the future on which to build: adding value, improving environmental credentials and creating healthy, happy homes.
A good eco house architecture is one that you not only love but also feel proud of. Discover how to turn your sustainable dreams into reality with this guide, in which we will share five tips to create Passivhaus zero carbon architecture.
1. Use Quality Insulation
Insulation is a game-changer for the environment. It has major impacts on heat gains during summer and heat losses in winter. Also, insulation can be used effectively to manipulate the time when the energy is released and absorbed. So, one of the essential principles for achieving this Passivhaus status is to have an efficient heating system.
Passivhaus houses are made to be very energy efficient. This is achieved by using quality insulation with a low heat-conductive rate and structures with thick walls and roofs from durable materials like brick or concrete. The result of these features is an interior temperature that remains at the same level year-round because there’s no need for central heating systems.
2. The Interior with Eco-Friendly Appliances
Kitchens are the heart of a home, and more often than not, take up the most space in any property. Modern eco-friendly appliances can reduce energy consumption by as much as 30% compared to conventional versions with solar panels and water heating coils that harnesses natural sunlight. You should also seek out an eco-friendly fridge. They have advanced technology to prevent the food inside from going off while cutting down your electricity bill. Moreover, if you’re planning to install a modern eco-home interior, don’t forget to include underfloor heating or hydronic heating.
Lately, there has been a trend in heating and cooling systems that use geothermal energy – which is considered renewable since it never runs out. Geothermal works by using the Earth’s natural heat to warm or cool your home reducing your carbon footprint as well as energy bills. Another great environmentally-friendly interior design idea is to install a solar water heater. Traditional homes hook up their hot water tanks to the central heating system, but using a solar panel with a backup gas system instead could cut your carbon emissions by as much as 90%.
3. Use Sustainable Building Materials
Many modern sustainable building materials are made from recycled or renewable resources, and you can also look for those with a high green rating. There’s an ever-increasing list of new eco-friendly insulation materials to incorporate into your home. These include wool, hemp, bamboo, cellulose fibre and recycled cotton waste, all of which will help reduce the energy needed to heat and cool your home. Building with sustainable materials is an excellent way of adding value and increasing the green rating of your property.
Aside from this, you can also opt to use eco-friendly paints, which usually contain less volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to reduce the number of harmful pollutants released into the environment. Eco-friendly paints are available nowadays; you can even consult a Passivhaus architect to know more about sustainable materials.
4. Be Carbon Compliant
Carbon compliance is vital for any project that involves building materials, but you can still be carbon-literate. It’s possible to produce less carbon if you know what types of materials are good and bad when it comes to their energy footprint. Besides, you can indulge in a carbon literacy training course; this will help you gain more knowledge about climate change and the importance of your role in taking action.
It is also more marketable as green roofs have become a key selling point for homeowners. There are many profits of having a green roof, including noise and energy savings, improved air quality, water retention, bug control and insulation from extreme weather conditions. When you have a green roof, there is also a possibility of creating an additional revenue stream as the top layer can be harvested for sale or even to grow food.
5. Use High-Performance Windows and Keep The House Airtight
In contrast to walls, glass is a terrible insulator, and so the production of energy increases with every glazed area. That’s why both factors should be considered when designing buildings that have lots of windows- not only how much heat will enter or escape through them but also what orientation they receive based on location. Furthermore, to get the most out of solar gains, Passivhaus requires south-facing windows to be optimised with reduced northward facing ones.
In addition, triple glazing on all sides of a building’s exterior walls means that their surface temperatures are similar. Sound transmission is decreased from outside sources compared to single or double pane glass. To eliminate unwanted air leakage, it’s crucial that a building is constructed with suitable materials and designed optimally. Ensuring all of these aspects are on point during construction can save homeowners from problems like uncomfortable draughts or even moisture buildup within the walls.
Conclusion
Passive buildings can be created through careful design and planning. The hope is that by the end of this year, all new homes will have a passive approach to heating and cooling to meet sustainability standards. It may take some time for this idea of Passivhaus and zero carbon architecture to catch on globally, but when it does, we could see significant changes toward environmental protection as well as improved public health.