Passivhaus Certification: Everything You Need to Know About It

The Passivhaus certification It ensures the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency in homes. A document that is highly valued today.

in order to ensure that homes and buildings meet the standards of this certification. That said, the Passivhaus Institute has the final say.

What requirements must be met to obtain Passivhaus certification?

For a home or building to be eligible for the Passivhaus certification It is necessary to comply Five Essential Requirements:

  • Provide excellent thermal insulation. The roof, floor, and exterior walls must have minimal thermal transmittance.
  • Have doors and windows with high thermal performance. Double- or triple-pane, filled with inert gases, and combined with high-quality window frames.
  • Free of thermal bridges. The dwelling must ensure the continuity of the exterior envelope and prevent the formation of condensation and mold.
  • Have mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery. This ensures indoor air quality. The air exchange rate must be at least 30 % in indoor spaces.
  • Ensure that the system is airtight. In other words, prevent drafts so that the mechanical ventilation system mentioned above can operate more efficiently.

All of this must result in compliance with the following quantitative requirements:

  • Claim for heating. Less than 15 kWh/m² per year.
  • Claim for refrigeration. Less than 15 kWh/m² per year.
  • Tightness. Less than 0.6 air changes per hour.
  • Claim for electricity and hot water. Less than 120 kWh/m² per year.

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Passivhaus Certificate – Passivhaus Certification Platform

How much does the Passivhaus certificate cost?

It depends. First of all, it’s important to note that the cost of renovating a home to meet Passivhaus standards typically ranges from 15 % and 20 % of its actual value. For example, if we're talking about a property worth €300,000, the cost of the renovations could be between approximately €45,000 and €60,000. This is according to specialists in sustainability and urban planning.

But that is not the price of the certificate itself. Each Passivhaus specialist is free to set their own rates. A detailed market analysis shows that the average cost of their work is around 6,000 €.

What guarantees does achieving this offer?

First of all, this certificate attests that the home meets Passivhaus standards and that, therefore, it is a matter of A fully efficient and sustainable home. But that's not all. Currently, properties that have this feature are highly valued. So much so that it can lead to an increase in the sale price of more than 30%.

In short, although it emerged as a concept earlier, the Passivhaus certification It originated in Germany in the 1990s. A series of truly stringent requirements regarding efficiency and sustainability were established for its award. Verification of compliance is carried out by technicians accredited by the Passivhaus Institute, the body that officially issues this certification. This certification can increase a home’s value by more than 30%. It is undoubtedly a very profitable investment.

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