What is Passive House
Passive House is an approach to achieving healthy and comfortable buildings. It is a clearly defined standard and a quality management system that produces buildings that deliver on all aspects of occupant well-being while consuming very little energy. The temperature is even throughout the home and operates typically between 20 and 25 degrees year round, while consuming minimal energy. Passive Houses consume between 75%-90% less heating energy than a conventional house.
Benefits of Passive House
Enhanced comfort
A very poor 16 degrees is the average NZ inside temperature during winter, at this temperature the risk of respiratory illness increases. At less than 12 degrees, there is a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks.
A Passive House is built airtight, with managed air changes per hour. With an airtight home it is easy to achieve and maintain 20-24 degrees throughout the entire home, no temperature variations from room to room, and no cold drafts.
Enhanced Health
1) The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ reports that one in six New Zealanders live with respiratory illness – that equates to 700,000 people. It is estimated that the yearly costs associated with respiratory disease are $5.5 billion.
2) A Passive house has a constant flow of fresh filtered air flowing through your home by using a mechanical ventilation system to filter dust pollen and pollution from incoming air, and also exhausting stale internal air
Moisture Elimination
A Passive house removes moisture before it becomes a problem in your home.
Damp, poorly ventilated houses encourage mould growth. If people have underlying health issues, damp, mouldy homes can worsen breathing problems.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) estimates the average New Zealand family produces around 8 litres of moisture in their homes every day.
Proven Measured Performance
The ultimate high performing home is a ‘Certified Passive House’. This home has been tested, measured, and internationally certified (& verified) to perform thermally at an extremely high level with little to no heating and cooling requirements.
Resolute Construction are Passive House specialists in the Kapiti and greater Wellington region. Director Hayden Nation is a passionate advocate for Passive House and is constantly looking to improve the build process to create actual measurable results.
Extreme Air Tightness
- Airtight construction ensures that only fresh filtered air enters the home
- A Certified Passive House requires air leakage to be tested near completion and must be below 0.6 air changes per hour.
- Airtightness is beneficial in keeping heat in and out of your home, ensuring the great internal climate you experience in a Passive House.
High quality insulation
- The unique nature of a Passive House means they’re perfectly calculated for the individual climate. This means the amount of insulation needed is tailored to the climate your home is in.
- To prevent heat loss and to stabilise the internal temperature, floors, walls and ceilings are thoroughly insulated.
Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHRV)
- An MHRV system continually draws filtered outdoor air into living spaces and bedrooms and exhausts stale air from bathrooms and kitchens. This delivers fresh, tempered air to the home.
- These systems use very little energy as they move relatively small volumes of air
- This concept of heat recovery is proven to be an efficient and healthy choice for your home, with the outgoing air, heating the incoming air at 90% efficiency.
High Performance Windows and Doors
- Windows are the biggest source of heat loss and gain in all buildings. This is no different in a passive house, although the loss and gain are much more balanced.
- Dependent on climate either double or triple glazing is used for windows and doors to maintain indoor climate and minimal energy use.
- A critical element for Passive House success is high quality insulated frames that seal tight.
No Thermal Bridges
- A thermal bridge is a physical pathway from inside to outside the building through which heat can move easily. Thermal bridges often results in mould, condensation, drafts and other discomforts. This effectively keeps heat in like a thermos flask.
- Poor quality windows, uninsulated concrete slab edges and steel framed buildings are all examples of common thermal bridges.
- With Passive House the aim to eliminate thermal bridges within the home
Passive House Planning Package design software (PHPP)
- A high performing home doesn’t happen by accident, precise planning and intentional design is essential.
- Energy efficiency is woven into the fabric of every Passive House using the world’s most powerful design tool, the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). This tool allows us to determine the most suitable form of the building and instantly shows the impact of design decisions on the building’s energy efficiency.
WHY CHOOSE RESOLUTE CONSTRUCTION?
Resolute Construction provides great customer service with exceptional communication and a transparent building process. We strive to achieve your complete satisfaction and to exceed all your expectations from concept throughout completion.
Great Communication
We believe that transparent communication is imperative to the success of your project and a trustworthy relationship.
Commitment
Master Builders
We are members of the Master Builders Association which gives you assurance you are working with builders of a proven high standard and the masterbuilders10 year guarantee.
Safety Is Our Priority
Resolute Construction is dedicated to ensuring a safe work environment on every building project. The safety of all staff, contractors, customers and site visitors is paramount.
We Think Outside The Box
We are forward thinkers, constantly considering fresh solutions and options to get you the best possible results.
The best guarantee in your town!
SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
It's all good hearing from us, but it’s our clients that tell the real story. Read some of our testimonials below and if you would like to speak to a previous client just reach out and we will put you in touch.
"Outstanding Communication!"
- Peter
Hayden and the team at Resolute Construction were awesome.
They were professional at all times, their workmanship was of high quality and they communicated extremely well.
During the job the Covid lock down was announced but they worked hard to finish the job in time before the lock down was enforced.
Outstanding Communication!
"The end result has exceeded expectations!"
- Nellie & John
Dear Hayden,
We would like to thank you and your team for the fantastic effort and very fine result of the renovation.
Resolute Construction carried out an extensive renovation of our beach house. It ended up quite complicated due to a very poor alteration by a previous owner. Hayden did a wonderful job of project managing. Communication throughout was excellent, consulting with us every step of the way. Despite the building problems the project was completed within the deadline and to a very high standard. The sub trades Hayden engaged were excellent as well.
The end result has exceeded expectations. We are ‘over the moon’. Hayden is extremely up front and honest, all costs totally transparent. We highly recommend Hayden and his team."
HOW WE WORK WITH YOU
When working with us, we guarantee clear, consistent communication as well as maintaining an effective line of dialogue throughout the building process, even if you are not physically present.
This is a high priority for us.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FROM HERE?
Request a FREE Consultation
The first step is to have a 100% FREE no-obligation consultation with Hayden. Whether you’re just starting to plan or you’re nearly ready to start your build, we can help you out.
Receive a FREE gift*:
A $1000 Interior Designer Consultation with a local expert to help make your dreams a reality..
*When you decide to contract Resolute Construction to work on your project.
