What is a passive house
The very concept of a passive house originated in Europe, namely in Germany. At the turn of the millennium, they began to develop the concept of buildings that could be maintained with a minimum of energy. Such houses did not imply the presence of active heating devices, or a limited number of them. Heating of the premises should be carried out using:
- sunlight - a free source of energy penetrating through the windows and heating the walls of the house;
- household appliances - the usual electric stove, washing machine, TV, hair dryer, etc.;
- hot water pipes.
The number and types of technologies used in the process are not limited. But the main idea is the rational use of heat entering the house in one way or another.
According to the plans of German developers, the need for thermal energy for such buildings should be no more than 15 kWh/m² per year. This figure is about 8 times less than the classic indicators inherent in modern buildings. According to the developers, these houses can do without heating systems. For Ukraine, located in a slightly different climate zone, it is not yet possible to do without additional heating. However, many basic principles of the concept can still be taken into account when designing modern buildings.
Principles of passive house construction
To achieve the goal, that is, saving resources and energy, when constructing a building, you should pay attention to the following aspects that determine the advantages of a passive house:
- optimal level of sealing - this makes it possible to avoid the appearance of cold bridges, preventing heat leakage;
- a correctly created project - as a result, correct planning, compactness, optimal zoning are achieved;
- use of solar panels - the user gets a room with an energy-efficient core;
- location of windows to the south - thanks to this, you can use the potential of the sunlight source to the maximum;
- use of environmentally friendly materials - living in such a building is safe for human health and pets;
- formation of ventilation systems with inflow and exhaust;
- use of sealed double-glazed windows - effective heat savings;
- high-quality thermal insulation - insulation is carried out on the foundation, ceiling, in the basement, in the attic.
In Ukraine, it is advisable to use solar collectors for such buildings. Thus, residents of houses receive additional heat, which does not require the consumption of gas, firewood, electricity.
Features of the design and construction of passive houses
The basic emphasis in the construction of energy-saving buildings is considered to be a well-thought-out architecture. Therefore, rational planning of the interior space and compactness are the main distinguishing features of a passive house. When planning, it is necessary to take into account the location relative to the cardinal points and the design of the residential building - so that it receives maximum solar energy.
For foundations, it is recommended to use a solid slab. Massive walls will ensure long-term heat retention in winter. It is better to use concrete, aerated concrete, brick, wood, ceramic blocks as materials. The heating system is recommended in the form of boilers operating on electricity.
The construction of such a house will cost a little more than traditional construction. However, in the future, during the operation of the building, the invested resources will pay off and provide cost savings when paying utility bills.
