Passive houses and PVC windows and doors

The ventilation system plays a crucial role in a passive house: indoor air is clean, free from pollen, dust and excessive humidity. Comfort ventilation with heat recovery reduces heat loss. Extracted air warms incoming fresh air in a heat exchanger without direct contact, transferring only heat and moisture. Incoming air can also be cooled this way.

• • The building should have a compact shape (avoid complex forms)
  • Aim to orient the building towards the south
  • Superinsulation
  • Avoiding thermal bridges
  • Ground heat exchanger – heat pump (low-energy house)
  • Windows Uw = 0.8W/m2K (our windows and doors meet these criteria and are intended for passive houses)
  • Air heat recovery >75%
  • Exceptional building airtightness

The accompanying image clearly shows the temperature difference between the passive house (centre) and conventional houses (left and right). Thermal cameras reveal only minimal heat loss compared with houses built using conventional principles.

In practice, maintaining temperature entirely passively is difficult, so supplementary heating using heat pumps or solar cells is often needed. These buildings fall outside the passive house definition and are called low-energy houses. The difference is that a passive house requires no supplementary heating at all, while a low-energy house occasionally uses it and consumes more energy per square metre.

PVC windows and doors can be an excellent choice for passive houses because of their exceptional insulation and energy efficiency. Here are some key aspects to consider:

1. THERMAL INSULATION

PVC windows and doors offer excellent thermal performance. Multi-chamber profiles filled with insulating materials minimise heat loss, a key passive house requirement. Passive houses require windows with a thermal transmittance coefficient (Uw) below 0,80 W/(m²K), which high-quality PVC windows can easily achieve.

2. SEALING

PVC windows and doors provide excellent sealing, preventing cold air and moisture from entering the house. This is crucial for maintaining stable indoor temperatures and reducing heating and cooling needs.

3. PRICE

Compared with aluminium or wooden alternatives, PVC windows and doors are often more affordable while offering similar or better thermal insulation and energy efficiency.

4. MAINTENANCE

 PVC windows and doors require minimal maintenance. They resist moisture, rot and insects, making them a durable and cost-effective solution for passive houses.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT

Modern PVC windows and doors are manufactured to high environmental standards. Many manufacturers use recycled materials and products that are themselves recyclable, contributing to passive house sustainability.

6. SOUND INSULATION

Besides thermal insulation, PVC windows and doors provide excellent sound insulation, increasing comfort inside the home.

7. AESTHETICS

Today’s PVC windows and doors come in different colours and styles, allowing homeowners to choose designs that suit their home’s architectural style.

CONCLUSION:

PVC windows and doors can significantly improve passive house energy performance. Choosing high-quality PVC products can deliver high energy efficiency, comfort and durability at lower costs than alternative materials. Consult experts and choose products meeting specific passive house standards.