The future of Passivhaus: What building manufacturers need to know about Passivhaus

The construction sector is aware of the role it needs to play in reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a more sustainable built environment. An important part of this involves building to the Passivhaus standard and realising the future of Passivhaus, the main aim of which is to achieve thermal comfort through the use of passive measures.?

For building product manufacturers, securing Passivhaus certification presents a unique opportunity to differentiate their products and position themselves as leaders in the quest for a low-carbon future.

What is the Passivhaus Standard?

Passivhaus is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in buildings which was developed in Germany in the early 1990s. It focuses on achieving exceptional thermal performance, airtightness and minimising energy consumption, while maintaining a high level of comfort for occupants. The Passivhaus standard has gained widespread recognition and adoption, with a growing number of countries and regions developing their own equivalent standards.

The Passivhaus approach is based on five key principles:

Superinsulation: Passivhaus buildings use thick, high-performance insulation to minimise heat loss and maximise thermal comfort.

Airtightness: Rigorous air sealing measures are implemented to prevent uncontrolled air leakage, which can significantly impact energy efficiency.

Passive solar design: Careful orientation, window placement and shading strategies are used to harness the sun's energy for heating and cooling.

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR): These systems recover heat from outgoing stale air and use it to pre-heat fresh incoming air, reducing the overall energy demand.

Elimination of thermal bridging: Meticulous attention is paid to construction details to prevent heat loss through weak points in the building envelope.

By working to these principles, designers of Passivhaus buildings can achieve remarkable energy performance, typically consuming up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling compared to conventional buildings.

What is the Passivhaus certification process?

Building product manufacturers can apply for Passivhaus certification for their products, to help make the process of specifying and selecting compliant products much easier.

Once building products meet the Passivhaus standard, they are awarded Passivhaus certification, demonstrating their environmental credentials and sustainability.

Passivhaus certification can be a powerful differentiator in the market, allowing building product manufacturers to stand out from their competitors. By demonstrating their commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, they can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and position themselves as leaders in the sustainable construction space.

Housebuilders, social housing providers and developers are increasingly seeking Passivhaus-compliant products to meet stringent energy performance requirements and deliver high-quality, low-carbon homes.

Passivhaus certification can open the door to a growing number of sustainable building projects, both in the private and social housing sectors. Housebuilders and developers actively seeking Passivhaus-certified products will be more likely to specify and procure from manufacturers who have undergone the rigorous certification process.

Enhancing brand reputation and trust

Achieving Passivhaus certification can significantly boost a building product manufacturer's brand reputation and credibility. Consumers and industry stakeholders are increasingly prioritising environmental responsibility and energy efficiency and Passivhaus certification can serve as a powerful endorsement of a manufacturer's commitment to these values.

Unlocking opportunities for innovation

The Passivhaus standard encourages innovation and the development of new, high-performing building products.

Building product manufacturers should actively promote their Passivhaus certification and the associated benefits to their target audience. This can be achieved through targeted marketing campaigns, participation in industry events and developing brochures and online resources that showcase the advantages of Passivhaus-certified products.

The Future of Passivhaus

The Passivhaus standard is set to play an increasingly pivotal role in the construction industry's transition towards a more sustainable future. As governments and policymakers around the world recognise the urgent need to address climate change, the demand for energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings is expected to soar.

The future of Passivhaus may involve businesses developing their own policies and standards to promote a more sustainable future. Some countries, like Scotland, have already announced plans to implement their own standards equivalent to Passivhaus, which is expected to increase the demand for certified products.

Net-Zero Targets

As the global push for net-zero emissions gains momentum, the Passivhaus standard is increasingly being recognised as a proven pathway to achieving these ambitious targets. By delivering exceptional energy performance and minimising operational carbon emissions, Passivhaus-certified buildings can play a crucial role in the transition to a low-carbon built environment.

Final thoughts…

The Passivhaus standard represents a transformative approach for building product manufacturers to align with the growing global drive towards energy-efficient, sustainable buildings. For building product manufacturers, embracing Passivhaus certification offers a unique opportunity to differentiate their offerings, access lucrative market segments and position themselves as leaders in the quest for a low-carbon future.

Partner with a public relations agency

For building product manufacturers that are seeking Passivhaus certification, or have already achieved it, we can help to communicate the benefits of your products to the most relevant target audiences.

Our PR team has the expertise as construction PR specialists with over 20 years’ experience, which means we can create authentic content for thought leadership articles, case studies, press releases, blogs and social media.? As a result, your business could benefit from raised brand awareness, enhanced credibility and increased demand for Passivhaus-certified products.

For more information about our PR services for the construction and building product market, call our team on 0114 359 5341 or email: [email protected]