Originating in Germany, the 30-year-old standard, created by the Passivhaus Institute, provides a range of tried-and-tested solutions for existing and new buildings.
Their whole-building approach starts at construction and continues through to operation, looking at the core of design, scrutinising materials, and infrastructure, ensuring they meet high-efficiency requirements. A Passivhaus certified project will combine heat recovery, airtightness, and insulation to create spaces with high levels of occupant comfort and well-being using minimal energy.
With clear targets certified through a rigorous quality assurance process, Passivhaus is designed to create projects with a strengthened focus on high-quality construction. Creating a better future with positive change, low energy bills and continuous fresh air.
WHERE DOES VENTILATION FIT
Ventilation is at the core of any Passivhaus build with the institute putting a massive emphasis on indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor climates. Focusing on clean air, high efficiency, and heat recovery.
Passivhaus states that to achieve the UK standard, you are required to have “a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery”. In accordance with the Passivhaus guidelines, all certified units must have an efficiency greater than 75%, converting heat from the exhaust air to fresh air by means of a heat exchanger.
Ensuring a balanced mass flow at outdoor temperatures between -15 and +10. Products are required to be independently tested and must achieve strict targets, allowing for superior indoor air quality and energy savings.
5 Principals Of Passivhaus
The UK Passivhaus standard is built around five key principles that ensure comfortable indoor environments whilst ensuring low energy consumption.
1. Premium insulation solutions
2. High-performance windows and openings
3. Airtight construction
4. ‘Thermal bridge free’ construction
5. Continuous mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
CIBSE Accredited CPD
With strict energy guidelines and rigorous certification processes Passivhaus can be tough to understand. To support customers, Nuaire offers a CIBSE accredited CPD: An Introduction to Passivhaus that can be held in-person or online.
The course focuses on the benefits of Passivhaus and its principles while providing in-depth knowledge on the certification process, with the aim of you leaving the session with a complete understanding of the Passivhaus accreditation and requirements.
XBOXER XPC 55-65 Passivhaus
XPC is a range of packaged heat recovery units with extremely low depth designed to save energy, improve indoor air quality, and provide the lowest possible noise breakout. Our 55 and 65 sizes are visible on the Passivhaus Institute database.
BPS Passivhaus
BPS Passivhaus is a high-specification packaged air handling unit designed and engineered to provide an efficient, high-performing, compact ventilation solution. Our 12, 17, 22, 32 and 42 sizes and certified and are visible on the Passivhaus Institute database.