Or German, Passivhaus. A design standard that achieves thermal comfort with minimal heating and cooling by using insulation, airtightness, appropriate window and door design, ventilation systems with heat recovery, and elimination of thermal bridges. Originally developed in Germany, with the first Passive House certified construction in 1991.
Passive House standards include:
Maximum heating/cooling demand of 15kWh/m2/yr or 10W/m2.
Thermal comfort, with winter indoor temperature 20°C minimum and in summer not exceeding 25°C for more than 10% of hours in a given year.
Humidity must not exceed 12g/kg for more than 20% of the year (~60%RH at 25°C).
Airtightness must be 0.6ACH50 or lower and be verified on site.
Overall energy use must not exceed 60kWh/m2/yr.
