Ever wondered if the heating or air conditioning in your house is really necessary? Passive House (aka Passivhaus) is a design approach to building that reduces the energy required drastically – sometimes up to 80-90%. In 90 seconds, this video explains how it’s done.

Passive House Explained in 90 Seconds from Hans-Jörn Eich on Vimeo.

If you’re considering passive house design, check out the resources available through the Passive House Institute.

 

Header image: Darmstadt University of Technology in Germany won the 2007 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. with this passive house designed specifically for the humid and hot subtropical climate. Image courtesy Jeff Gubina CC BY-SA 2.0.