Why we love being Passive House Builders in Melbourne
Being a Passive House builder, we feel that this is the ultimate form of sustainability. To be honest, we think it's the only way you can be a sustainable builder. For us, it's all about the data, and numbers never lie. We know these homes can be tested and stand the test of time. Passive House is known for it's efficiency, but we believe theres more important features people need to know about.
Comfort:
Passive House construction places a strong emphasis on creating comfortable living spaces. Builders who undergo Passive House training learn to achieve this comfort through several means:
Consistent Indoor Temperatures: Passive House buildings are designed to maintain consistent indoor temperatures throughout the year. Builders are trained in the principles of superinsulation and airtight construction, which prevent heat or cold from easily entering or escaping the building. This results in a comfortable and stable indoor environment. Trust me, you can notice this even during the construction phase, where our trades are working with shorts on the coldest of days!
High Indoor Air Quality: Passive House designs incorporate mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery to ensure a constant supply of fresh air. Builders learn how to install and maintain these systems, which not only improve air quality but also eliminate drafts and ensure even distribution of heat.
Noise Reduction: Passive House principles often involve thicker and more insulated walls and windows, which can reduce outside noise infiltration, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful living environment.
Health Benefits:
Passive House training also focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants:
Indoor Air Quality: Builders learn to implement effective ventilation strategies to bring in fresh outdoor air while filtering out pollutants and allergens. This helps reduce the risk of respiratory problems and allergies among occupants. Poor indoor air quality can have significant adverse effects on human health. Indoor air pollutants, such as allergens, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microbial contaminants (e.g., mold and bacteria), can trigger or exacerbate respiratory problems, allergies, asthma, and other health issues. Long-term exposure to indoor pollutants may lead to chronic health conditions. To us, this is the most important part of a passive house in Melbourne.
Moisture Control: Passive House principles include moisture control measures to prevent mould and dampness, which can have adverse health effects. Builders are trained in proper moisture management techniques to create a healthier indoor environment. This is set to become a big talking point in the construction industry over the coming years, with condensation management about to enter our building code.
Durability:
Passive House construction techniques prioritise the longevity and durability of buildings:
Attention to Detail: Passive House design and construction require meticulous attention to detail, from sealing joints and seams to ensuring proper insulation installation. These practices help prevent moisture infiltration, condensation, and other issues that can lead to structural damage over time.
Build it right once: We use quality wraps that will keep the bulk water out but allow vapour to move through the structure. It's with these wraps that we can control moisture and reduce our risk of mould in the structure. At the end of the day, there is noting more unsustainable than having to build a home twice due to damage that could be prevented!
Resilience:
Passive House principles promote resilience against extreme weather conditions and climate change:
Thermal Comfort: Builders are trained to design buildings that can maintain comfortable indoor temperatures even during extreme heatwaves or cold spells. This ensures that occupants remain safe and comfortable in challenging weather conditions. As passive house builders, we work with a number of like-minded Passive House Architects and consultants to make your House work for you! It's all about having a great team around you to achieve this.
Compliance and Certification:
We love that our work gets checked and approved. We want to make sure we are doing the job right as it reduces our risk in the long term. Plus, we want our clients to be happy and know that they got what they paid for.
Regulatory Compliance: Builders who have undergone Passive House training are better equipped to meet local building codes and regulations that may require a certain level of energy efficiency or sustainability. Passive House builders spend far more time educating themselves and upskilling as they want to know how to be better.
Market Demand: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, there is a growing demand for certified Passive House buildings. Builders who are certified can tap into this market and attract clients looking for high-performance, eco-friendly homes or buildings.
Making this change for us was hard; it was a long game, but it has paid off. We are so lucky now to consider ourselves as expert Passive House builders in Melbourne. We feel that we are playing an essential role in being sustainable builders.
The satisfaction of knowing that our projects not only benefit current generations but also help mitigate the effects of climate change for future generations makes us super happy. As Passive House builders, we are not only part of a movement that values innovation, quality, and sustainability but also leaders in this space. We are committed to shaping a better and more resilient built environment for all.