In the world of construction and building, standards in favour of greater respect for the environment are gradually becoming established. One example is the RT 2012 standards, which oblige builders to rethink new housing so that it becomes more efficient but less energy consuming. And the perfect example to illustrate this new type of housing is the passive house. But what is a passive house? What are the criteria to be met? Why opt for this new type of construction? Answers with the experts in sustainable construction, Envir.
Definition of the passive house
The passive house is the result of a design and construction process that respects the environment. But the passive house must also have excellent energy performance, which translates into considerable energy savings but also a virtual absence of greenhouse gas emissions within the passive house.
The main criteria of a passive house
To enjoy a so-called passive house, there are many criteria to take into account. First of all, when designing the home, it must be strategically oriented to capture maximum sunlight in winter, while benefiting from devices capable of limiting sun exposure in summer. In addition, the insulation of a passive house is a key element of this ecological approach, as the insulation must be very efficient in order to limit heating consumption. Whether it is the floors, walls or attics, the insulation of a passive house is greatly reinforced, which also prevents the formation of thermal bridges, which are the cause of heat loss. In addition, good air and water tightness is also an essential element of the passive house, as it also enables energy consumption to be perfectly controlled.
