Are Passive Houses a Growing Trend in Spain?
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Loading... - caleb millie
- 17 May 2023
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Passive houses, also known as passivhaus, are gaining popularity in Spain as a sustainable alternative to conventional construction practices. These innovative buildings are designed to minimize energy demand, making them a preferred choice for developers and end-users who prioritize sustainability.
Passive houses distinguish themselves from traditional homes by significantly reducing energy consumption. These buildings are highly efficient, utilizing resources in a more sustainable manner. Every technical detail that can contribute to a lower energy demand is carefully considered during the construction process.
The choice of materials is a crucial criterion for passive houses. Natural materials are preferred to ensure the sustainability of the construction. Thermal insulation plays a vital role in maintaining a stable temperature within the house. Other elements taken into account during passivhaus construction include the orientation of the house, the use of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of cross ventilation. In summary, the aim is to create homes that require minimal energy while providing optimal comfort for occupants. By optimizing processes and prioritizing material quality, passive houses offer a modern and efficient living environment.
An Increasingly Appealing Trend
Passive houses have gained popularity across Europe due to their short- and long-term benefits. The ongoing debate surrounding energy consumption has made homeowners and developers increasingly interested in passive houses as a solution.
Furthermore, passive houses are considered eco-friendly as they meet energy standards that ensure significant energy savings. Many developers and investors see passive houses as a worthwhile real estate investment that will appreciate in value over the coming years. With their commitment to renewable energy sources, passive houses encourage energy conservation within the real estate sector.
Existing houses can also be made more sustainable by incorporating the characteristics mentioned above, such as improving insulation capacity and accessing renewable resources. However, the most effective approach to promote passive houses and environmental sustainability is to construct new homes that meet these criteria. Utilizing digitalized construction systems and tools, like the one offered by PlanRadar, can save construction time, improve building efficiency, and reduce unnecessary material usage.
When construction projects prioritize passive house sustainability criteria, the value of the properties increases, and the overall sustainability of the real estate market improves. European governments are placing increased focus on this issue, indicating that passive houses are indeed a growing trend.
In contrast, traditional buildings rely on non-renewable materials and energy, resulting in higher environmental impact. The construction process itself generates substantial amounts of polluting waste, leading to less efficient structures compared to passive houses. Additionally, developers and builders face escalating material costs due to resource scarcity.
As a consequence, the prevalent buildings dominating the market are both less environmentally friendly and more expensive due to rising resource costs. Moreover, these buildings require higher energy consumption to maintain optimal temperature conditions and provide resources for occupants.
Recognizing these challenges, many European governments are actively promoting passive house projects by offering grants to users interested in improving their homes' efficiency, whether through new constructions or renovation projects.
Cost Considerations of Passive Houses
One of the primary advantages of passive houses is the potential for significant energy savings without compromising the comfort of a traditional home. To meet the passive house standards, a primary energy demand of less than 120 kWh per year per square meter is required. This energy demand includes hot water, domestic water, lighting, air conditioning, household appliance consumption, and refrigeration costs.
Considering these criteria, it is reasonable to expect that annual consumption would remain below €10 per square meter. In Spain, traditional houses have an average energy consumption of around 5000 kWh of electricity per year, making the savings achieved through passive houses substantial, despite the initial investment required for their construction.
