Passivhaus (Passive House)

Earthwise offer Passivhaus design, consultancy and advice at all project stages.

We are happy to work on feasibility studies, planning applications and full design for new build homes.

Contact us today to discuss your project.

What is the Passivhaus standard?

Passivhaus or Passive House is an energy standard for low energy, high comfort buildings.  The standard focuses on well insulated, draft free buildings where fresh air is supplied by a ventilation system. The AECB Silver Standard is a similar, but slightly relaxed energy standard. EnerPHit is a similar standard for retrofitting existing homes.

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits of building to the standard:

  • Healthy home with no drafts or mould
  • Comfortable living
  • Warm in winter with no drafts
  • Cool in summer with no overheating
  • Good indoor air quality
  • A home that is cheap to run
  • Low CO2 emissions
  • Not worrying about future rises in the cost of energy
  • Quality assurance that the building is well made
  • No design gap, so what is designed is built

Feasibility studies:

Earthwise offers feasibility studies for new buildings (fixed price for residential projects upto 300 sqm) to check whether you can reach Passivhaus.  Send us your drawings and we can see if you can reach the  standard.  We can also offer advice to help you improve the design.

Our feasibility service includes:

  • Energy modelling using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP)
  • Expert review and recommendations for early stage designs to improve energy performance
  • Advice on form, massing, shape and orientation
  • Thermal element analysis, u-value & heat-loss calculations
  • Thermal bridge analysis & modelling
  • Glazing performance and overheating risk
  • Air tightness detailing to reduce leaks and drafts

Want to talk about your Passivhaus project?

Want to talk about your Passivhaus project?  Book a free consultation.

Want to know more about Passivhaus?

Tailored CPD workshops on the standard and low energy design principles.  Find out more

Want to check if your project can reach Passivhaus?

We offer feasibility studies to help people reach the standard.  Book a feasibility study.

Reviews

“This was one of the most useful CPD seminars we have had in the office in recent years, and we would definitely recommend it. Mischa Hewitt is an engaging presenter who introduces the ideas behind Passivhaus in a way that all our staff found accessible, whether or not they already knew much about the concept.”

Elizabeth Davis, Noma Architects, Manager

It was a really engaging introduction to the Passivhaus Standard and a pleasure to attend.

Joana Gaspar, AEDAS

“The Passivhaus seminar was excellent, informative and well presented. Those that attended the presentation appreciated it very much and is one to add to our ‘triple A list’ of seminars.”

 

Robert Gurney, tp bennett, Architect

To find out more or book a feasibility study please contact us

We also offer an ‘Introduction to Passive House’ CPD (Continuing Professional Development) for architects, engineers and other people working in the construction industry.  CPD describes an ongoing commitment to improving skills, knowledge and competence.

Our Introduction to Passive House CPD lecture covers:

  • Introduction
  • What is Passive House?
  • Comfort, energy & quality
  • Passive House features
  • Key differences to ‘passive solar design’
  • History & evolution in Europe
  • Design approach & methodologies
  • Continuous highly insulated envelope
  • High performance glazing
  • Thermal bridge free construction
  • Air tightness – strategy & detailing
  • Importance of ventilation & good indoor air quality
  • Options for heating low energy houses
  • Quality assurance: how the certification process work
  • Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) modelling
  • Comparison to UK building regulations & BREEAM
  • Myth busting!
  • UK case studies

 

To find out more, book a CPD seminar or feasibility study please contact us