The Passive House standard of construction provides a comfortable habitable space by means of reducing thermal bridges, high performance glazing and smart design for solar gain producing a sustainable airtight solution. Passive House buildings are already being built in a variety of climates and building types, including single-family homes, multi-family buildings, schools and commercial buildings, showing that the standard can be adapted to different projects and contexts.

This ability to significantly adapt to the changes in climate enables superiorly comfortable temperatures throughout the construction. The building’s inhabitants will receive the benefits of a temperate environment, reducing the use of expensive climate controls like air conditioning. The Passive House solution also supports the comfort of the user, not only through an evenly temperate environment, but through airtight construction the mitigation of sound transmission, dust, bugs and moisture.

Passive House prioritises energy efficiency and comfort, offering a future proof solution to the increasing needs of all stakeholders. Sustainable construction is already seen as the answer to the climate crisis which is where the Passive House standard offers solutions that are beneficial to both the environment and inhabitants.

The Passive House concept was first developed by German physicist Dr. Wolfgang Feist during the early 1990s in Darmstadt, Germany. The goal was to create buildings that use very little energy for heating and cooling, while still providing a high level of comfort for the occupants.

The exact definition of Passive House, as provided by the Passivhaus Institut is as follows:

“A Passive House is a building, for which thermal comfort (ISO 7730) can be achieved solely by post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass, which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality conditions – without the need for additional recirculation of air”

Dr. Wolfgang Feist (via Passive House Institut)

With the new NatHERs minimum set to change to a 7-star energy rating, you may be wondering how to go about building a new house that meets the target. 

If you are building homes then you probably have heard about the National Construction Code (NCC) and NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating System). And you may already know that the minimum energy rating will soon be changing from 6 star to 7 star. Meaning all of your projects will soon have to meet the 7 star energy rating threshold. Understandably, you will be worried about the extra costs associated with the extra star.

You might be in a hurry when you are looking for an energy rating consultant for your NatHERS. But be aware of choosing too fast and ending up with a consultant that will not deliver quick results. We have written 4 tips we think you should know before choosing your energy rating consultant.

Since 2010, all new homes built in Australia have had to satisfy a minimum 6-star energy efficiency NatHERS rating, however, the Climate Council and the Property Council of Australia are now pushing to make a 7-star energy rating the new minimum. State and territory ministers will meet in July to review the 11-year-old laws that set the minimum energy efficiency standards in new home builds.

With buildings in Australia accounting for nearly 25% of carbon emissions it is not surprising that buyers are looking to build more sustainable homes.

The National Construction Code (NCC formally known as the BCA) will soon require all new residential dwellings in Australia (Except NSW)* to achieve a minimum of a 7 Star Rating using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), approved software.