Breeam vs Passivhaus

Breeam vs Passivhaus – What is the difference?

As energy prices increase, it is useful to know the most cost-effective system for reducing energy consumption within your home.

Modern homes and home refurbishments can be designed to use significantly less energy. This article compares energy standards from BREEAM and Passivhaus. These standards aim to promote energy efficiency of buildings and therefore minimise their environmental impact.

Each standard has a distinct approach to achieving these goals. This article will discuss how they differ and which one may be most suitable for your home.

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Passivhaus

Passivhaus (or Passive House), founded in Germany in the late 1980s, is a standard for energy efficiency, quality and comfort in a building. It sets out parameters to achieve a “Passivhaus standard’, which is determined by assessing a building’s energy efficiency including thermal and systems performance.

By achieving high levels of each, Passivhaus homes allow for much lower energy bills, while maintaining constant fresh air and thermal and acoustic comfort, thereby contributing to the health and well-being of their occupants.

This construction standard reduces the need for space heating/cooling and primary energy consumption while simultaneously providing healthy air quality. Passivhaus follows no specific form or aesthetic; however, a Passivhaus-certified building will need to have exceptionally high levels of insulation, an airtight building envelope and mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR).

Our Low Energy House refurbishment project followed passivhaus principles, improving airtightness to 4 ACH with lime plaster, Intello plus airtightness membranes and airtight tape. The design included internal insulation to preserve the original Edwardian facade detail externally. The filters within the MVHR system allow for cleaner internal air, removing pollen and NOx particles, contributing to a healthy indoor environment.

Georgian House: a listed building with insulation, secondary glazing and heat pumps

Key Passivhaus components:

• Airtight construction – an airtight building envelope is essential to prevent heat loss. It maintains constant indoor temperatures and also prevents discomforting drafts.
• High-performance windows – triple-glazed windows are typically used to minimise heat transfer. For listed buildings secondary glazing can be used.
• Minimal heating and cooling – Passivhaus aims to limit the demand for heating and cooling to reduce energy bills. 
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system extracts warm moist air from bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms, feeds the air through a heat exchanger, and then delivers warm, fresh air to the living rooms and bedrooms. An MVHR system reduces the amount of energy needed for heating, and provides a continuous supply of fresh air.

The focus on energy efficiency makes Passivhuas a suitable choice for low-carbon buildings. As an energy standard, Passivhaus focuses on the energy performance of the building. However, a holistic design approach is crucial to achieve a truly sustainable building and healthy indoor environment.

Our Georgian House project was a deep retrofit of a Grade II listed building in Bow. A combination of solar panels and heat pumps allow the house to be fossil fuel free.

Natural materials, such as clay and lime plaster were used to provide an airtightness layer. Wood fibre insulation significantly improved the thermal performance of the building envelope. These modifications helped transform the property into a sustainable home.

Low Energy House, designed using Passivhaus principles

Commercial Projects

Implementing Passivhaus principles in commercial properties such as schools, offices, and libraries offers numerous benefits. While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term advantages are significant. Studies have shown that maintaining consistent thermal comfort and high indoor air quality can enhance productivity and well-being.

Passivhaus design helps mitigate the risk of buildings overheating during summer months, which can negatively impact productivity and efficiency in workplaces and educational environments. Temperature regulation and ventilation are crucial for occupant health, alongside other indoor environmental concerns such as noise and air pollution. With MVHR, controlled fresh air supply is provided almost silently and the airtight construction and triple glazing effectively reduce noise infiltration from outside.

The operational costs of a Passivhaus building are also lower. Reduced energy consumption leads to lower utility bills, while superior construction quality minimises maintenance and repair costs over time.

Breeam – what is BREEAM

Breeam is a sustainability assessment for buildings and infrastructure. It evaluates a building’s design, construction and specification to ensure it meets sustainability standards. It is a more holistic approach to sustainability, evaluating buildings’ entire lifecycles. It has a wider scope than Passivhaus, with further consideration for construction materials, innovation and water efficiency.

Benchmarks assessment categories include:

• Management – evaluates how well sustainability measures are maintained over the lifecycle of a building
• Water – considers water efficiency, encouraging water-saving features
• Energy – efficiency and reduced energy use 
• Transport 
• Health and wellbeing – impact on the inhabitants’ health and wellbeing 
• Resources 
• Resilience 
• Land use and ecology – impact on the natural environment 
• Pollution – reducing pollution includes managing waste and reducing CO2 emissions
• Materials – responsible sourcing and the environmental impact of the materials used
• Innovation 

Alterations to a ground and lower ground floor maisonette at North London House

BREEAM and Commercial projects

An analysis of BREEAM-rated buildings in London reveals a diverse range of projects, from office buildings and retail spaces to educational institutions and healthcare facilities. These buildings demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, achieving high levels of performance across BREEAM’s sustainability categories.

BREEAM-certified buildings in London offer numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits. From reduced resource consumption and carbon emissions to improved occupant health and well-being, BREEAM-certified buildings contribute to a more sustainable and resilient built environment. Additionally, BREEAM certification enhances market competitiveness and attracts tenants and investors that prioritise sustainability.

However, challenges exist in applying BREEAM principles to private residential buildings in London. Unlike commercial buildings, which often have dedicated project teams and resources for sustainability initiatives, residential projects may face constraints in terms of budget and stakeholder engagement.

Incorporating sustainable features in larger housing developments requires a holistic approach that considers factors such as site selection, building orientation, energy efficiency, water conservation, and community engagement. Strategies for sustainable housing development in London may include implementing rainwater harvesting systems, promoting green spaces and biodiversity, and prioritising pedestrian-friendly design principles.

A proposed new build passivhaus in Muswell Hill

Conclusion

Passivhaus and BREEAM certifications offer homeowners distinct advantages. While Passivhaus focuses primarily on energy efficiency and indoor comfort, BREEAM evaluates a broader range of sustainability criteria, including water conservation, materials, and management practices.

Cost considerations are crucial for homeowners considering Passivhaus or BREEAM-certified properties. While initial investment costs may be higher compared to conventional buildings, the long-term savings in energy bills and maintenance expenses should offset these upfront expenses. Additionally, government incentives and financing options may be available to support sustainable building initiatives.

The influence of Passivhaus and BREEAM extends beyond individual properties, shaping future construction trends and homeowner preferences. As sustainability becomes increasingly important in the built environment, homeowners are likely to prioritise energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features in their homes.

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