Concept
Passive House is a voluntary building standard applicable to residential or any other type of building use, which defines a high-performance benchmark in terms of energy efficiency, occupant health, and comfort. It ensures lower operational and maintenance costs compared to traditional construction, while also significantly reducing — or even eliminating — common building pathologies.
Passive House in 90 seconds:
Let’s Build a Passive House:
Why Build a Passive House?!
Thoughtful Design
Precise adaptation to the exact geo-referenced location of the project
Smart use of the natural environment and surroundings
Energy gains through intelligent and integrated solar exposure
Comfort
Consistent indoor temperature all year, between 20°C and 25°C
Wall and window surfaces remain at a comfortable temperature
Uniform comfort levels throughout the building
Indoor Air Quality
Precisely distributed ventilation system throughout all rooms
CO₂ levels monitored in every space
Controlled quality of incoming air from the outside
Occupant Health
Total absence of condensation, damp, and mould
Ideal relative humidity for each season
Improved quality of sleep
Greater Building Durability
Elimination of common construction pathologies
Lower maintenance requirements
Extended lifespan of the building
High Energy Performance
Guaranteed reduction in energy demand
Less need on technical systems
Detailed study for efficiency and suitability of technical systems
Environmental Awareness
Lower operational energy consumption
Maximum optimisation of natural and local resources
Adaptability to any local material supply
Outstanding Acoustic Insulation
High-performance glazing systems
Greater insulation in opaque elements of the building envelope
Certified airtightness guarantees
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a Passive House using any material?
Yes. A Passive House can be built using any common construction material used in Portugal, from traditional reinforced concrete and masonry, to light steel, timber, or even a combination of these.
However, the performance criteria must be strictly met in order to comply with Passive House standards. Therefore, careful verification is essential during both the design and construction phases to ensure the expected results.
Is a Passive House more expensive than a standard build?
A building constructed to the Passive House Standard can be affordable to any property owner. Keeping the same level of technical requirements and finishes, the initial investment cost may be 5% to 10% higher than a typical “standard” build.
It’s important to highlight that a Passive House typically requires fewer technical systems due to its high efficiency. This can actually result in a lower initial cost than a conventional build, while delivering significantly superior comfort and indoor quality, as long as the project strategy is aligned with these priorities.
Additionally, a more efficient building will save money over the years, through reduced operating costs, while offering better comfort and health, and greater savings on maintenance due to the quality of construction and absence of pathologies, ensuring greater longevity of the building.
Relevant Links:
PH Portugal Association: https://passivhaus.pt/sobre/
Benefits of PH Construction: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/passive-house/benefits
Internacional PH Association: https://passivehouse-international.org/