A Passive House is a dwelling in which a year-round comfortable interior climate and good indoor environmental conditions can be maintained without the use of significant active space heating or cooling systems.
The concept of Passive House is based on minimising heat losses and maximizing heat gains, typically this includes optimising insulation levels with minimal thermal bridges, high thermal performance windows, very low air-leakage through the building fabric, utilization of passive solar, internal gains and good indoor air quality supported by a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery.
At Ecotech Homes, we are experienced in Passive House building, using off-site energy efficient building components and the latest technology to construct houses that are not only impressive in their energy consumption but also tick all the boxes for affordability and offer a versatile living solution for the modern world. Studies carried out on Passive Houses show positive results & outcomes, both in terms of building efficiency and ongoing energy usage once completed.
Energy Efficient Building
Here at Ecotech Homes, we are one of only a handful of companies in Ireland who are experienced in Passive Specification builds, including certified passive homes and buildings built to the passive standard, which means that the build is carried out to comparable performance levels but is not certified.
We can work with your own house plans or you can choose from our designs/plans to suit your lifestyle, and we can carry out your build process, or provide our full Turnkey Passive Solution, taking care of every aspect of your build, including structure, energy efficiency, joinery, stairs, flooring, kitchens and more, so that you simply need to turn the key and move in.
When we build a passive house, we create a space that is comfortable all year round and use energy efficient systems to maintain a good interior climate. The design aims to minimise heat loss and maximise heat gain, optimising insulation levels with minimal thermal bridges, high thermal performance windows, use of passive solar, very low air-leakage, internal gains and good indoor air quality. This creates an effective system that is maintained by a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery, and we believe it is the future for the building industry.
Elements of a Passive Home
There are several elements involved in passive building, and these include:
- Thermal insulation. In a Passive House, effective thermal insulation is essential to reduce heat loss. We use high grade insulation to retain heat and maintain comfortable temperatures in the home all year round.
- Effective windows. The type of windows used in a Passive House build can have a significant effect on the amount of heat retained and the climate inside the house. We use triple-glazed windows, which contribute to solar gain and retain heat impressively.
- Airtight systems. Passive Homes should be as airtight as possible and make use of heat recovery ventilation systems to ensure efficiencies & that the air is comfortable internally.
- Reduced thermal bridging. Thermal bridging is the process that occurs when one part of your home transfers or leaks heat more quickly, we identify and address these areas to eliminate any Thermal Bridging and ensure efficiencies are maintained in the home.
- Heat recovery. One of the Pillars of a Passive Home, the Heat Recovery unit captures the heat from the warm air in the house and retains it within the building while providing clean air from the outside – transferring the heat to the incoming air. Working in tandem with Passive Levels of Air tightness and an Energy Efficient Building Envelope allows the house to perform at Passive Levels of efficiency.
The Real Impact of Passive Houses:
A Passive House is built to be comfortable & energy efficient all year round, a popular method of construction with housebuilders in the Cork area as they offer a sustainable solution for the future. Passive Homes are very popular with families and all those who appreciate a comfortable, affordable home that is energy efficient & environmentally friendly. Increasingly many commercial and public buildings are now being built to these standards.
A Passive House is not only cost effective to live in, but it also provides a comfortable space to live and work in and you will soon notice that the temperature is constant, with no draughts or cold floors to contend with! The air will always feel fresh, and you can benefit from the efficiency with lower energy bills, making your home a warm and comfortable place to live.
Building your Dream Home in Ireland
Our experienced team at Ecotech Homes have many years of expertise in building Passive Houses and we will be able to help you every step of the way. If you are interested in building your own home in Cork or the surrounding area, contact us to see how we can help you to make it happen. Simply enquire via the contact form on our website or give us a call today to move one step closer to achieving your dream home.
