Passive Energy Houses Building Services

Passive Energy Houses are designed to operate without the need for an "active" heating system, as their design and construction is such that the occupants can live comfortably without the need to operate any conventional heating (or cooling) equipment. Any power required to control the home environment is offset by the energy savings achieved.

The European Parliament has voted for Passivhaus standards to become law in 2011 and Passivhaus standards will be incorporated in the UK Regulations proposed for 2016. The principles of Passive Energy construction are:-

• Locate and orientate the building to
  optimise use of natural resources.
• Design the building envelope to minimise
  energy loss.
• Make use of thermal mass within the
  building to stabilise the environment.
• Utilise energy from exhausted air to
  pre-condition fresh incoming air.
• Ensure workmanship is to a high
  standard to achieve full specification
  performance.