Passive house: build better to consume less
With our winters, the quality of a building shows quickly: cold rooms, drafts, high heating bills, condensation. The passive house takes the opposite approach all the way: design a home so well insulated and so airtight that it needs very little heating.
What is a passive house?
The concept comes from the German Passivhaus. To be certified, a building must meet criteria such as these:
Heating demand: 15 kWh/m² per year or less.
Airtightness: 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pa or less.
Total primary energy: 120 kWh/m² per year or less.
Overheating: above 25 °C for less than 10% of the hours in the year.
Source: Passivhaus Institut criteria, summarized by La Maison du Passif.
The principles that make the difference
Thick, continuous insulation with no gaps around the building.
Fewer thermal bridges, the spots where heat escapes (junctions, foundations, balconies).
A very airtight envelope to keep the heat inside.
High-performance windows, oriented to take advantage of the winter sun.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, which brings in fresh air without losing energy.
Passive or not, the same principles apply
Not every project aims for certification. But these principles are the foundation of a quality building: more comfortable, healthier, more energy-efficient and more durable. Even a renovation or a “standard” house gains a lot from being designed this way, from the design stage down to the construction details on site.
Our approach
At Konifère Construction, we favour sustainable materials and proven building techniques suited to the Laurentian climate. Let's talk about your performance goals and the best way to reach them within your budget.
Thinking about an energy-efficient home?