International Passive House Standard

What is Passive House?

Passive House is an international construction standard maintained and continuously developed by the International Passive House Institute (PHI). For more information about its application in North America, please refer to NAPHN (North American Passive House Network).

Residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings constructed to these guidelines are characterized by significantly increased comfort and health for the occupants, extremely low energy consumption, durable construction quality, and knowledgable project teams at the forefront of the construction industry.

“A Passive House is a building, in which thermal comfort (ISO 7730) can be provided solely by postheating or postcooling of the fresh air flow which is required for good indoor air quality (DIN 1946) – without the additional use of recirculated air.”

The 5 pillars of the Passive House principles

  • Highly insulating envelope
  • Thermal bridge free construction
  • Airtightness
  • Windows and solar gains
  • Ventilation with heat recovery

Passive House Criteria: