Passive and low-energy house construction
A low-energy house is achieved by coordinated building physics, not by adding a thick layer of insulation to an ordinary design. Orientation, compact form, window performance, airtightness, thermal-bridge control, ventilation and moisture-safe assemblies must be resolved together.
Core principles
- a continuous thermal envelope with calculated junctions;
- controlled airtightness and a planned air barrier;
- high-performance windows installed within the insulation strategy;
- balanced mechanical ventilation with heat recovery;
- solar-gain and overheating analysis, including external shading;
- simple, efficient heating and hot-water systems sized for the actual load;
- construction quality checks and commissioning.
Insulation layers must remain continuous at foundations, floors, roofs and openings. Air leakage can transport far more moisture into an assembly than vapour diffusion, so sealing details and service penetrations require particular attention. Ventilation is needed not only for energy efficiency but also for indoor air quality and humidity control.
Where certification is required, the energy model, airtightness testing and documentation must follow the selected standard from the design stage. For non-certified projects, the same physical principles still provide a useful framework for reducing heat loss and moisture risk.
Related services: design and project documentation and thermal imaging inspection.