How can we achieve to adapt a building to 'Passivhaus' technology?

Thanks to José Gaspar from TriarqStudio we have this article in our blog.

Since its origin, Humankind wants to be protected from the weather and fight to reach the right temperature inside the buildings which builds. 

Today we will study those climatic zones close to ours (the temperate one) and the technology of the Passive House or 'Passivhaus' (from now on we will use this German denomination) that puts an end to the thermal stress and achieves an almost null energy consumption. This solution was developed in Central Europe. It is no coincidence: there, the building system has had to overcome persistent sub-zero temperatures for a long time.

Climate zones close to ours from Scandinavian to Senegal

Cold: very low temperatures all the year, the houses are built on a high base with a good air chamber with its superimposed wooden layer enclosures and steeply sloping roofs also with various layers of wood. The houses have three heating systems (electric underfloor heating, wood in large stove and gas in boiler) the tightness of the living space is almost absolute.

Continental: its strong temperature contrasts between winter and summer demand a massive construction with small openings preserves them from cold and heat. They developed ceramic boilers with a sinuous tube route to distribute the heat.

Temperate (ours): non-extreme temperatures, traditionally the houses had thick walls with windows. The first floor was dedicated to animals and other belongings, the intermediate floor was dedicated to the house itself and, finally, the upper floor was used as and storage room. The houses with central patios and porticos helped to create spaces of shade in summer. During the winter the transit through the house took place from one room to another without going out to the patio.

Mountainous with Atlantic influence: In the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, a mountainous area, heat in summer combined with nighttime temperature drops, the clay Kasbahs consist of thick adobe walls of clay and straw.

Tropical: in Senegal high temperatures humid climate the houses are lightweight with a dense cover that protects from the sun and the rainy season. 

Requests for the 'Passivhaus'

Minimize temperature exchanges between outside and inside

Eliminate thermal bridges

Achieve almost absolute tightness to avoid temperature loss.

Ventilate seeking temperature balance

Premises of a Bioclimatic Rehabilitation

We must be clear, only new construction can meet the 'Passivhaus' standards. However, in Rehabilitation we can approach to its benefits following the steps that we enumerated next:

By promoting the good solar orientations of the house

By taking advantage of the incidence of the sun in winter and to mitigate it in summer the porches to the south, the visors, the eaves, the slats, the blinds, the adjustable awnings and brisoleils favor the entrance of the most horizontal winter solar rays and prevent the most vertical summer ones.

By favouring cross ventilation between two opposite or different orientations such as between one of the facades and a patio.

By insulation the exterior walls if possible on the outside to simultaneously eliminate the thermal bridges if such insulation is provided to an efficient carpentry. Take care of the material joints in an extraordinary way. It must be taken into account that insulation is necessary for both heat and cold.

By putting carpentry whose frames are made of wood of sufficient thickness and density or are made of aluminum with a thermal bridge break and that have reinforced thermal insulation and low emissivity glass.

By opting for practically hermetic construction

Tanks to ventilation so that no temperature is lost based on heat exchanger, air exchanger which has the advantage of constant ventilation, fans, filters, air conditioner, air preheater and humidifier or air humidity extractor. Achieving that the temperature of the incoming air is similar to that of the interior of the house. With all of these systems, heat recovery rates of up to 90% can be achieved. 

A final thought: apply the passive house on the shores of the Mediterranean is ideal considering its mild climate is the passport to zero consumption. This is because this technology already achieves almost zero consumption in much more extreme climates. Therefore, from TriarqStudio and Finques Feliu we encourage you to do it.

In Finques Feliu we are at your disposal for any doubt.