Compare Passivhaus vs standard building energy performance.
The Passive House (Passivhaus) standard, developed in Germany in 1991, requires buildings to use no more than 15 kWh/m²/year for heating — roughly 75-90% less than conventional buildings. This is achieved through: super-insulation (U-values <0.15 W/m²K), triple-glazed windows, airtight construction (≤0.6 ACH at 50 Pa), heat recovery ventilation (HRV, 80-95% efficiency), thermal bridge-free design, and passive solar orientation. The additional construction cost is typically 5-15% more than standard building, but this is recouped within 7-15 years through drastically reduced energy bills. Over a 30-year lifespan, a Passive House saves $30,000-$80,000 in energy costs depending on climate. There are over 65,000 certified Passive House buildings worldwide. Buildings account for 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, making Passive House design one of the most effective climate mitigation strategies available.