What Are The Downsides To A Passive House?
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Passive Home?
We build Passive & Performance homes…why are we talking about this?
Because it’s one of the most Googled topics when it comes to building a passive home. The list of misconceptions is hilarious to us, but it’s clear these are really commonly held beliefs. So, we want to help you get some clarity on the topic.
Passive houses are a popular choice for those looking to build a highly energy-efficient and sustainable home. While they offer many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks or challenges that may be associated with this type of building.
Let's take a look at some of these potential downsides and how much truth is in them…
It’ll Be Stuffy, Because I Can’t Open The Windows
Well, let’s get this easy one out of the way.
You can absolutely open the windows in your passive home. As much and as often as you like! Do we recommend it when it’s -5 degrees outside? Probably not from a thermal regulation perspective unless you like heating bills. But the same goes for any home in the middle of winter.
The mechanical ventilation system installed during a passive build ensures your air flow is constantly fresh and clean. The key is to balance the need for ventilation with the need for energy efficiency. But, there are no window police, we promise.
Are Passive Homes Expensive?
Cost is a common concern when it comes to building a passive house, as they can be more expensive to build than traditional homes. There is more of an upfront cost on construction materials, insulation, windows and what might stack up to seem like a lot. The truth? This upfront cost will save you a tonne of ongoing costs in the years to come – and here’s why.
Passive homes are designed to be highly energy-efficient, with minimal energy consumption required for heating and cooling. This is achieved through a combination of insulation, airtightness, ventilation, and solar gain. As a result, as passive home builders, we can offer testing to ensure the opportunity for significant cost savings over the long run.
One of the primary ways that passive homes save money is through reduced energy costs.
Passive homes use up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling compared to traditional homes.
This is achieved through a combination of thick insulation, air-tight construction, and a ventilation system that recovers heat from are being expelled. These features work together to keep the home at a consistent temperature without the need for a traditional heating or cooling system, like fires or heat pumps.
Start by saving a few thousand on firewood in year one… and watch those savings stack up with energy bills so low you’ll wonder how it’s possible.
Passive homes often have longer lifespans than traditional homes, so if you’re in this for the long haul, leaving your property to kids, or looking for value to on sell in years to come, it’s worth considering. The high-quality materials and construction techniques used in passive homes can result in a home that lasts for generations, reducing the need for repairs and renovations.
Passive Houses Have Ventilation Issues
– Will I Be Living In Stale Air?
Another commonly perceived issue with passive houses is ventilation. Because passive houses are designed to be airtight, they require a ventilation system to ensure that fresh air is brought into the house and stale air is removed. If the ventilation system is not properly installed or maintained, it can lead to indoor air quality problems. This isn’t a consideration if you are using the right team.
Proper installation is hugely important, which is why we test along the way and ensure everything is working 100% when the build is complete.
Air quality is an important consideration for any home, and passive houses are no exception. In fact, passive houses are designed to have cleaner and fresher air than traditional homes.
Passive houses are built to be airtight, which means that the air inside the home is less likely to be contaminated by outdoor pollutants. The mechanical ventilation system that we install brings in fresh air from the outside and removes stale air from the inside. This ensures that the air inside the home is constantly circulating and fresh, without the need for opening windows or doors.
Humidity & Moisture Levels Are An Issue
The concern: Humidity is concern with passive houses, as they are designed to maintain a consistent indoor temperature, which can lead to higher humidity levels. If not properly controlled, this can lead to mould growth and other moisture-related problems.
The reality: The mechanical ventilation system in a passive house actively helps to remove excess moisture from the air, further reducing the risk of mould and other moisture-related problems.
Passive homes are less likely to have humidity and mould problems because they are designed to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and humidity level. This is intentional and the incredible ventilation systems mean this will likely be less of an issue than in any normal home.
Reducing the potential for air leaks and keeping the indoor environment at a consistent temperature and humidity level, passive homes are less prone to the moisture build up that can lead to mould growth.
Passive Houses Require Ongoing Maintenance
The belief: Maintenance is another potential drawback of passive houses, as they may require more maintenance than traditional homes, especially when it comes to the mechanical systems and insulation. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that the systems are functioning properly and to prevent problems from developing.
The reality: Passive homes can in fact save you money through reduced maintenance costs in our experience. Because passive homes are built to high standards of energy efficiency, they are less prone to issues such as moisture damage and mould growth. The mechanical systems used in passive homes, such as the ventilation system, are designed to require less maintenance than traditional systems.
We won’t deny the initial cost of building a passive home will likely be higher than that of a traditional home, the long-term savings in energy and maintenance costs will likely save you from forking out with ongoing bills and costs in years to come.
Passive Home Designs Are Limited
Design limitations are also a consideration when building a passive house, as the strict design requirements can limit the overall aesthetics and layout of the home. For example, large windows may be limited to certain areas of the house to minimize heat loss.
We have found, with the right approach and good architectural partners, passive houses can still be designed to look incredible, while maintaining high energy efficiency.
In fact, better than this. We work with some of the architects we consider to be some of the best in Wanaka.
Busting Passive Home Myths
There you go – all laid out. The disadvantages of building a passive home, from a passive home builder! We are incredibly passionate about what we do and we know that there are plenty of misconceptions around passive homes. If you still have concerns about any of these points, please feel free to reach out for a chat.