The Performance Evaluation of Passive Houses – Do Passive Houses Include Building Physical Risks?

conference paper

English

There have been critical comments in public, dealing with the real performance of passive and low-energy houses. In many cases, this criticism is based on personal review but not on researches. One must understand that a building is a wholeness. For instance, when increasing the energy efficiency of single structures, the efficiency of joints and junctions must also be improved. This means that thermal bridges should be avoided as much as possible. The significance of thermal bridges will be emphasized when the thermal resistance of the building envelope is increasing. The geometric changes of exterior walls and junctions of various building types seem to create possible risk patterns. The junctions, technically, are not changed or weakened itself, but the other surrounding structures are improved. Relatively, the performance of the junctions (thermal bridges) is weakened compared with the performance of exterior walls. The performance is decreased, not only because of energy consumption but because of increased risk of condensation. Certain details of the structures have been implemented in building sites for decades without changes. Also, some solutions which were valid in the 60`s and even in the 70`s are not suitable according the recent practice. False footing (so called) is one example of the risk structures, especially when the wooden bottom plank is actually below the earth surface. Also, other typical solutions which were common 35-50 years ago, but not accepted any more can be presented. There is a continuous discussion ongoing about the “right” solutions dealing with structural details.

passive house, energy efficiency

KUČERA, R.; POSPÍŠIL, J. KAUPPINEN T.; RAINA I.; HIENONEN M.; TACKETT E.; ILLIKAINEN K.

27. 9. 2017

PHN17

Helsinki

978-951-758-621-4

8th Nordic Passive House Conference PHN17 : Adaptive and Interactive Buildings and Disrticts

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