PASSIVE HOUSE

Passive Houses are buildings created in an efficient manner to reduce the building’s energy demand as much as possible. These houses through global design strategies reduce energy consumption by 90% compared to an everyday house. Passive houses are homes with a high level of thermal comfort despite having a very low energy consumption, so they are homes with high energy efficiency.

The Passive House concept was coined by the German Passivhaus. He was the creator of the principles by which Passive House constructions are governed. These principles are based on respecting the climatic and geographical conditions of each site taking into account that there is a good orientation, capture and protection of solar radiation, a high degree of envelope insulation against wind and a good quality of outdoor air. In addition, the carpentry must be highly energy efficient and there must be a correct choice of active natural energy systems in order to guarantee the minimum energy demand. In summary, the Passive House/Passivhaus/Passive Houses model consists of zero energy consumption, where the energy consumed is generated by the house itself. 

Because Passivhaus was the creator, Passive House buildings were coined with his name and also created a standard with his name that certifies the Passivhaus Institute (Passive House Institute) and guarantees with its certification that the building is energy class A (high energy efficiency).

The first Passive House with the passivhaus standard was created in Germany (Darmstadt). It had an energy consumption below 10 KWh/m2 for heating. At the beginning, Passive Houses had a very high cost, rethinking its profitability despite all the benefits they entailed. But, as technology progressed, the price of passive houses became cheaper.  

Even so, it must be taken into account that the investment is amortized because, although the construction is more expensive at the beginning, it is amortized thanks to the energy saving that means an energy bill much lower than that of a traditional house. 

The construction of Passive Houses allows energy savings of 60% in Mediterranean climates and 80% in more severe climates while respecting a high thermal comfort. In Spain we also have several passive houses.

The Passive House is subject to a series of key or essential criteria. Bioclimatic architectural design, associated with a combination of high insulation, adequate air tightness, thermal bridge break, use of high performance windows and doors, combined ventilation and heat recovery system.

The combination of an appropriate design according to climate, orientation and sunlight, as well as energy saving construction systems and the use of specific mechanical systems, greatly reduce the need for energy requirements for heating or air conditioning, and energy savings of up to 60 – 75% can be achieved.

In addition, there are different categories in Passivhaus certification. It all depends on the production of energy from renewable sources and the limitations of the building’s energy needs. As mentioned, for passivhaus certification in a passive house or passive building, its construction must have completely different standards than the traditional ones.

It must use passive architecture and construction that meets passive house criteria. The goal is to significantly reduce energy requirements without compromising the comfort provided.

1. – Passive House Layout and Design:

   Layout and planning when constructing a Passive House or Passive Building is critical. A bioclimatic design that takes into account the external factors of the site, climate, sunlight, as well as the intended use of a passive building, can allow us to save a significant amount of money, large amounts of energy in air conditioners and even lighting.

   
   

   By factoring outdoor temperature and light into the design, the design revolves around the optimal use of resources. Most importantly, it is free because it is not based on setting standards that increase the price of construction. 

   
   

   – Passive house insulation:

   Thermal insulation is one of the most important keys to building a passive house. With optimal insulation in passive houses, both in floors, walls and roofs, less heat is lost and therefore energy is saved in heating. Materials and thicknesses vary with climate and orientation, and special care is required to get it right.

   There are various insulation systems that allow us to save up to 60% energy. Although this percentage depends to a large extent on the climate. For example, in Germany, which is a much cooler country than Spain, the savings are greater.

   
   
   

   – Doors and windows of passive houses:

   The thermal insulation of the house should not only be carried out on the facade, walls, floor and roof. Special attention should also be paid to the weak points of the envelope, which are the doors and windows. Doors and windows must be very effective in a passive home. It is through them that the greatest loss of heat and cold is transmitted in the room.

   The joinery used must have a very low heat transfer capacity. The windows are double or triple glazed, filled with inert gas. The glass should have low stiffness to reflect heat indoors in winter and keep it outdoors in summer. We recommend that high performance windows be installed with very good quality laminate.

   
   

   – Air tightness control in the passive house:

   Air tightness in a passive building or dwelling is critical in the construction process of this type of housing. Air flows from windows, doors and vents cause annoying drips and condensation problems, especially in winter.

   Controlling air tightness allows for excellent thermal comfort in a passive house or building while saving energy. Optimal execution of joints during construction ensures good airtightness of the envelope. It also promotes the proper and efficient functioning of the ventilation system.

   For this purpose, Blower Door pressure differential tests are carried out during the construction phase to verify that the execution has been correct.

   
   

   – Passive internal thermal bridging:

   Thermal bridges are areas of the envelope where unwanted temperature differences occur, such as joints, corners, walls and ceilings. Thermal bridges represent a loss of about 10% to 20% of the total heat. They should be avoided by placing a continuous insulation, a material more resistant to heat when it is interrupted, reducing and taking care of the joints between the elements of the building.

   The absence of thermal bridges is also one of the principles of healthy housing. They prevent the spread of condensation diseases such as fungi.

   Thermal bridges can be reduced with different thermal systems such as the SATE. It is one of the keys to building a passive house model.

   
   

   – Energy Recovery Ventilation System for Passive Homes:

   Ventilation with heat recovery allows natural air to circulate inside a passive building. By controlling the outgoing and incoming airflow, along with temperature and humidity.

   It also allows a higher quality of air inside the room, avoiding bad odors and the feeling of being in a closed environment. In situations with high sound pressure, such as on roads, the advantage of a ventilation system with energy recovery is more pronounced.

   Heat recovery is very important to reduce heating consumption in a passive house. If there is any air leakage, the heating consumption will not be less than 30 kWh/(m2).

   If we combine this ventilation system with an efficient heating system such as heat pump, biomass stove or geothermal, it is possible to recover the heat lost in winter, without using the conventional heating system. These are renewable alternatives, and with them you can save a lot of energy.

• They offer me everything completely finished

  I forget to deal continuously with site personnel and I can enjoy my free time knowing that everything will be as specified in the contract.

  I eliminate safety risks for workers on my plot because more than 85% of the construction of the house is carried out in the factory.

  I am guaranteed a delivery time and a closed price without surprises.

  I can see photos of my home or go to Worldmetor’s facilities to check how the work is progressing.

  It is a product of the Worldmetor Group.

  The projects are developed by Worldmetor architects with long experience in the sector.

  The structure, exterior walls, slabs and partition walls are all made of high-strength reinforced concrete.

  The exterior and interior carpentry, painting, sanitary ware, faucets… I can choose them as I wish.

  I choose the type of air conditioning that best suits my needs (aerothermal, geothermal, split, underfloor heating…).

  The interior and exterior floor and wall coverings are to choose between high quality materials such as wood flooring, porcelain tiles, natural stone, natural wood, microcement and vinyl.

  The bathrooms are delivered fully finished with sanitary ware, faucets, sink and shower or bathtub.

  Kitchens can be ordered fully finished with furniture and appliances.

  All the brands that we incorporate to our houses are the most prestigious of the Sector.

  We do not include any type of tax or fee in public or private organizations.

No. Worldmetor Group homes are houses that have to meet the same requirements as any other.

At WorldMetor we want your buying experience to be the best, that is why we deliver the house ready to move in, on the agreed date, with no last minute surprises.

Worldmetor Group homes can be mortgaged exactly like any other traditionally built home.

We can make the geotechnical study of your land and undertake the entire project, which includes:

Basic project

Construction project

Construction management and execution

Health and safety study

We can also provide you with a project management service to process the licenses.

Once the building permit has been awarded and the execution project has been obtained, we can deliver your house in less than four months.

Yes! Our system is not subject to predefined models with rigid formats, so your house can be designed 100% to your liking, with the qualities you choose.

No, there is no limit. The rooms can be as big as you want.

We can install in factory any type of air conditioning or installation, with the consequent reliability and perfect adjustments.

The same as in a brick wall or in a plasterboard wall. The difference is in the drill bit, which in this case must be specific for concrete.

Our houses are not like the houses commonly known as modular. We call modules to the transportable units in which we divide a house to be able to take it from the factory to the land. The main difference lies in the complete flexibility of design and manufacture, with no standard mold restrictions or defined dimensions.

Our MDR system allows for construction at various heights, both above and below ground. Your basement will be completely free of dampness and cracks thanks to the insulation provided by the structure itself, added to the properties of self-compacting concrete.

The roof can be as each client wishes. There are no limits in terms of design.

No, there is no limit. The rooms can be as large as you wish.

Yes, if the space available for installation or accessibility allows it. You have the option of informing us when you make the project so that we can prepare an imperceptible pre-installation, which will allow very easily the extension both in height and width of your house.

It will depend mainly on the type of air conditioning chosen, and it will be between A+, A and B.

The price we give you in the final estimate will be the final price with no possibility of variation on our part. There will be no last minute surprises.

We have a team of architects, both in the company, as well as collaborators in different Autonomous Communities, all of them with a great trajectory and professional experience, who will allow you to design the house of your dreams, totally to your taste and needs.