NEW: Passive House explained in 90 seconds.

Passive House explained in 90 seconds.

Does your house have a heater in the basement or maybe a fireplace? Probably also a central air conditioner or maybe a window unit.
Did you ever wonder if it was necessary?
In 1991, Dr Wolfgang Feist built the first passive house in Germany, based on research from all over the world.
Here’s what he did.
1. Proper insulation. It’s just like wearing the right winter jacket. It also doesn’t need a heater.
2. No air-leakages. There should be no holes small or large to let warm air out of the house.
3. No thermal bridges. A thermal bridge is like a road for heating energy in which warmth can travel right through your walls. As a matter of fact, most of our houses have thermal highways in our walls, where heat can easily travel to the outside.
Plus, the house needs proper windows, most of the time with triple-pane glass and it needs to be oriented properly so the sun can heat it in the winter and shade is provided in the summer. And it uses an HRV, a device that provides the inside with fresh air without letting the heat out.

Add all these things up and it turns out, your house doesn’t need a heater or air conditioner. So, where does the heat come from? A passive house needs 90% less energy, and that can easily be supplied by your body heat, the sun, your appliances, light bulbs and even your TV. This saves you a lot of money on your heating bill and helps preserve the environment.

[BrabGerg]

I wish the ERV vs. HRV confusion hadn't come up. I also wish the incandescent light bulb had been a washer/dryer or shower or DHW. If you had the time, studs & rafters are a couple of thermal bridges. I think "no heater" should be "no large heating system, " same w/ cooling, if possible.

[CorwynGC]

The compass rose at 0:58 is facing the wrong direction. The long side of a house, and the sun position indicate that the North should be to the right for Northern Hemisphere, to the left for the Southern Hemisphere.

[thesayken]

No Heater = he obviously hasn't lived in minus temperatures much