Passive House design is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, and for good reason. The dwellings that result from it’s particular science, are incredibly energy-optimised, comfortable, and sustainable. Like Cobalt Constructions’ Founder Jarrod Lindorff, certified passive tradespeople and housebuilders must have specific qualifications, expertise, and knowledge to offer this type of home design and construction.
Let’s discuss what Passive House Design is, why certification in this field is critical and how these standards will benefit your dream eco-friendly home build.
What is Passive House Design?
A Passive House is a European-based, voluntary home standard that meets design and performance criteria for high-quality interior conditions and comfortable year-round temperatures. Passive Houses will, for example, typically use around 90% less artificial heating and cooling energy than regular dwellings.
As of the writing of this article, Passive House design has been used in the construction of around 40,000 homes worldwide as a practical and cost-efficient way to minimise energy consumption and expenses. It is becoming increasingly popular in places with varying climates, like Australia!
The Passive House calls for:
- Building orientation for optimal natural light use
- Extensive and proper insulation
- Airtight construction
- High-performance windows
- A carefully calibrated ventilation system that guarantees high levels of energy efficiency and superior Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
What is a Certified Passive House Tradesperson?
A certified Passive House Tradesperson is a professional in the building industry who has completed specialised training and demonstrated practical understanding and application of the Passive House standard.
The technical needs and methods of Passive House design, such as airtightness, thermal insulation, ventilation systems, and the correct installation of energy-efficient components, are well-known and understood by these certified craftspeople.
Pushing the (building) envelope
Walls, roofs, windows, and doors make up the building envelope, which is the physical border between a structure’s interior and exterior and is must-have knowledge for a career as a qualified Passive House Tradesperson. They are well-versed in the latest innovations of:
- Insulation
- High-performance windows
- Air sealing techniques (constructing a super-efficient and airtight shell)
- Heat recovery ventilation systems (supply clean air continuously while efficiently reusing the heat from stale air).
With this knowledge, a trained Passive House Tradesperson – like our very own Jarrod Lindorff – can create a building envelope that meets Passive House’s energy efficiency and comfort requirements, such as minimal heat and cool loss, by ensuring no thermal bridging (air sealing technique).
The value of working with a certified Passive House builder
Collaborating with a certified Passive House Tradesperson has unparalleled benefits for building a remarkably energy-efficient haven. Certified tradesmen have undergone rigorous training and certification processes that equip them with the expertise and abilities needed for designing and building Passive House projects.
Cobalt Constructions is dedicated to being at the forefront of eco-friendly homes, which is why we joined the Australian Passive House Association (APHA). APHA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering and advocating for Passive House construction throughout Australia. When you build a Passive Home with us, it will be built according to the exact energy performance standards established by groups like APHA and the Passive House Institute.
Contact Jarrod today and let us show you what the future of sustainable home building looks like with a certified Passive House Tradesperson!