Passive House
What does it mean?
A passive house is a building designed to minimize heating energy needs. Through thick insulation (often 30-50 cm), an extremely airtight building envelope, triple-glazed windows, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (HRV), heating needs can be reduced to under 15 kWh per sqm per year — about one-tenth of an older Swedish building.
The passive house standard was developed in Germany (Passivhaus Institut) and has been adapted for Nordic conditions through FEBY (Forum for Energy Efficient Building). In a passive house, the building is largely heated by "passive" heat sources: solar radiation, body heat, cooking, and electrical equipment. Supplementary heating is only needed on the coldest days. Indoor climate is often excellent thanks to controlled ventilation and the absence of drafts.
Key Points
- Heating needs under 15 kWh/sqm/year — one-tenth of older buildings
- Based on thick insulation, airtight building envelope, and HRV ventilation with heat recovery
- Mainly heated by passive sources: sun, body heat, and household appliances
- FEBY standard applies in Sweden (adapted for Nordic climate)
- Provides excellent indoor climate without drafts and with even temperature
Practical Tip
If considering a home in a passive house, expect significantly lower energy costs but verify the HRV system is properly maintained — it's crucial for climate quality. Filters should be changed 1-2 times per year. Also note that window ventilation in passive houses affects the energy balance more than in conventional buildings.