Continuous Insulation Concept
Continuous Insulation refers to the use of insulation that covers the entire exterior of the building without any gaps or thermal bridging. This means that the insulation is applied to the walls, roof, and foundation of the building, and there are no breaks in the insulation layer. This precludes heat loss through the building envelope, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the indoor space. This can result in significant energy savings over the life of the building.
Continuous Insulation in a Passivhaus building not only helps in reducing energy consumption but also helps to improve indoor air quality and comfort. By reducing air leakage and preventing the formation of condensation on interior surfaces, continuous insulation can help to create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.
Overall, continuous insulation is a cardinal ingredient of the Passivhaus, helping to accomplish high levels of energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Minimal Thermal Bridges
Thermal bridges occur when there is a break in the continuity of insulation, allowing heat to flow through the building envelope more easily. By minimizing thermal bridges, Passivhaus buildings can maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reduce energy use, and provide a high level of comfort for occupants.
Triple Glazed Windows
Triple-glazed windows consist of three panes of glass, with two layers of insulating gas between them. This design offers improved insulation, reduces noise, and minimizes heat loss through the window, making it an ideal choice for Passivhaus buildings.
Air-tightness
Air tightness is a pivotal factor of Passivhaus. The building envelope is designed to be highly energy-efficient, which means that there is a controlled exchange of air between the interior and exterior of the building. Achieving a high level of air tightness is obligatory to ascertain that the building performs optimally in terms of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and resident comfort.
To succeed in an advanced level of air-tightness, various fundamental design and construction plan of action are employed which includes:
- High-quality building envelope
- Air-tight building components including doors, windows, and ventilation systems
- Pressure testing
- Continuous ventilation
Mechanical Ventilation system with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
An MVHR system is configured to extract stale air from the building in exchange for fresh, filtered air from outside. However, instead of simply venting the stale air outside, the MVHR system recovers heat from the outgoing air and uses it to preheat the incoming fresh air. This means that the ventilation system can provide fresh air to the building while minimizing heat loss.
In a Passivhaus building, an MVHR system is typically compounded with other energy-efficient features, such as high-performance insulation, triple-pane windows, and solar gain. As a result, the building will require very little energy to heat and cool, while maintaining a cozy and healthy indoor environment.