Passivhaus Benefits
Publication date: May 2023
Reading time: 3-8 hours
Levels: Introductory / Intermediate / Advanced
Target audience: Clients, Policy makers, Contractors, Students, Architects, PH Designer/Consultant, Services engineers Download
Often considered primarily as the exemplar standard for producing high-performance buildings, Passivhaus does indeed minimise energy demand, but it delivers much more. Passivhaus can slash building heating demand by 90% without compromising our health & wellbeing – factors put into sharp focus during the pandemic.
Our research identified almost fifty types of benefits relating to Passivhaus which are categorised into six distinct areas. The multi-faceted benefits offered by Passivhaus resonate with different stakeholders. Homeowners may be interested in superior quality & comfort whilst lowering energy bills. Eliminating fuel poverty, reducing rent arrears, and achieving zero carbon targets will attract local authorities. The government may focus on the potential to lower peak demand and amplify grid capacity for a smooth transition to renewable energy.
We anticipate that this report will provide a valuable resource for anyone seeking to assemble a strong business case for a Passivhaus strategy or project.
Sarah Lewis, Research and Policy Director at the Passivhaus Trust, introduces the benefits guidance in this short video.
The evidence base
Each of the key chapters in Passivhaus Benefits is underpinned by detailed supplementary research, to be published in three supporting papers. The first of these, Health, Wellbeing and People Performance, is available to download now.
When the above research on costs and benefits is read together the case for Passivhaus in the UK is robust. The approach to both our new buildings and the retrofit of our existing stock in the UK must be ambitious and inclusive. The Passivhaus Standard gives us a range of approaches for our journey to Net Zero, making it widely applicable across all building typologies.
Overall, this study has shown that building to the Passivhaus standard in the UK is not only the most appropriate choice for delivering high-quality buildings, but it is also the best choice for the environment and population at large.