Passive Houses

Passive house building is a construction concept.

With a vision of a durable and environmental-friendly housing solution, a new construction standard has been created from new technology and old methods, one that is energy efficient, environmental-friendly and affordable at once. Passive House is not a brand name, but a construction concept that can be applied by anyone and that has stood the test of practice. These beautiful and sustainable houses can be built up to six floors, and we are using Sveahus own brand of high quality timber frames, for which we have as a goal that for every tree that is cut down, two will be planted. To show our customers our great belief in our own products, we offer a warranty for ten years for all of our houses. If you want to know more about our Passive Houses, we are always available for your questions.

Passive Houses allow for heating and cooling related energy savings of up to 90% compared with typical building stock and over 75% compared with average new builds. In terms of heating oil, Passive Houses use less than 1.5 liters per square meter of living space per year – far less than typical low-energy buildings. Similar energy savings have been demonstrated in warm climates where buildings require more energy for cooling than for heating.

Special windows and a building shell consisting of highly insulated exterior walls, roof and floor slab keep the desired warmth in the house, or undesirable heat out, which is a crucial part of the energy saving and environmental-friendly nature of passive houses. Approximately 50% of the total heat loss goes through the windows. Sveahus has in cooperation with developers created a new innovative product; special designed windows with glass of a thickness of 92 mm. This exceptionally environmental-friendly windows design reduces the heat loss with a staggering 50% compared to 3-camera PVC windows, for example.

Passive houses use energy sources inside the building such as the body heat from the residents or solar heat entering the building – making heating a lot easier and better for the environment.

A ventilation system consistently supplies fresh air making for superior air quality without causing any unpleasant draughts. A highly efficient heat recovery unit allows for the heat in the ventilation air which allows the heat losses to be kept at a minimum. It is possible to collect up to 84% of the heat from exhausted air; it means that only 16% of the supplied fresh air has to be heated. It is possible to recover costs spent on recuperation system in only 3-4 years, which means that huge savings on energy costs are possible over the years. The system includes inflow and outflow fans, filters and air heaters.

The vast energy savings in Passive Houses are achieved by using especially energy efficient building components without cutting back on comfort. On the contrary, the level of comfort in passive houses is by many considered to very high, even compared to houses build with older methods. Sveahus unique facades are designed for a minimal heat loss compared to traditional facades, with a thickness of an impressive 130 mm. Passive houses that are built with Sveahus special windows and facades have a total reduction of heat losses with 25%.