What is Passive Design?
Passive design is design that does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Homes that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort.
Improved Comfort
Significantly improves thermal comfort year-round
Lower Bills
Reduces or eliminates heating and cooling bills
Reduced Emissions
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
The Building Envelope
Building envelope is a term used to describe the roof, walls, windows, floors and internal walls of a home. The envelope controls heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.
Its performance in modifying or filtering climatic extremes is greatly improved by passive design.
The Key Principle
Well designed envelopes maximise cooling air movement and exclude sun in summer. In winter, they trap and store heat from the sun and minimise heat loss to the external environment.
Passive Design Principles
The fundamental principles of passive design can be applied to the various climate zones, house types and construction systems in Australia:
- Orientation of the home to maximise solar access in winter and minimise it in summer
- Appropriate window placement, sizing and shading
- Thermal mass to store and release heat
- Insulation to reduce heat transfer
- Ventilation strategies for natural cooling
- Appropriate room layout and zoning
Benefits of Passive Design
Incorporating the principles of passive design in your home:
- Significantly improves comfort throughout the year
- Reduces or eliminates heating and cooling bills
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from heating, cooling, mechanical ventilation and lighting
- Increases the value of your property
- Creates a healthier indoor environment