Living in Perth, I am sure that you’re all too aware of how hot our summers can be. Hot summers mean staying cool, and despite its expense, air conditioning is the only way to do so. Unless you live in a passive home, where the inside air is regulated and maintained at a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside.
What is a Passive Home?
A passive home, a concept originating in Germany in the 1990s, refers to a building that is designed to keep indoor temperatures comfortable year-round and, while doing so, still uses significantly less energy than standard homes.
Reduced Energy Bills
A significant benefit of choosing a passive home is that your energy bills will be much lower. There are many ways a passive house design facilitates these reduced bills. With a combination of double- or triple-glazed windows and high-performance insulation, indoor temperatures remain stable without the need for air conditioning or heaters.
Maintains Comfortable Temperature
As mentioned, a key aspect of a certified passive house is that the home’s indoor temperature is regulated and maintained at a comfortable level regardless of whether it is the height of February or the middle of July. This comfortable temperature is also maintained without racking up your energy bill. This is as a passive home does not require air conditioning or heating to remain comfortable due to its self-sustaining nature.
Passive homes are designed to have an airtight seal. Having an airtight seal means there are no unwanted drafts flowing through your home. Unwanted drafts are the main cause of heat loss in most homes. A key aspect of a passive home is the thoroughness of the building process, and ensuring that the seals are secure to reduce unwanted drafts exemplifies the care taken in designing and building such a home.
Superior Indoor Air Quality
Passive Houses are expertly designed and use a heat-recovery ventilation system. This system continuously swaps stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. The system works with two air streams: one for stale air and one for fresh air. The two streams do not cross, ensuring that your passive home is the desired temperature and has superior air quality.
This system removes indoor pollutants and cooking odours, and provides a clean, healthy environment by preventing mould and moisture.
Keep Noise Out
In addition to reducing energy bills, triple-glazed windows and a well-insulated structure act as barriers to street noise and other outdoor sounds. Even the ductwork in a passive house is quieter than in a standard home. Passive homes use smooth and non-rigid ducts instead of sharp-cornered rectangular ones to prevent usual airflow noises such as whistling. The fans connected to these systems are also set to a low, balanced speed to ensure quiet operation.
Low Maintenance
A non-passive home requires regular professional air-conditioning maintenance (every 3 to 12 months), air-conditioning filters changed monthly, and constant checks for and repair of drafts and leaks. Whereas a passive home only needs a filter check for the energy recovery system every 3 to 6 months, and an overall thermal barrier inspection.
Passive homes are designed to run on low, continuous service output, whereas standard homes have high-stress systems cycling on and off, putting more pressure on temperature-regulation technologies.
Ready to Build Your Passive House?
Whether you are looking for a custom house or a pre-designed passive home, Glen Esk Construction’s founders have over 45 years of combined experience in the building and construction industry. The passive home builders focus on high-performance, energy-efficient homes that prioritise sustainability, healthy living, and comfort.
If you are ready to take the next step in energy efficiency and build your passive home in Perth, reach out to the team at Glen Esk Construction.