The core principles of Passivhaus include high-quality insulation, airtight construction, and the use of high-performance windows. As a result, residents experience enhanced comfort and lower energy costs, making Passivhaus an attractive option for sustainable affordable living.
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus (also known as Passive House) is an internationally recognised certifiable building standard that aims to dramatically reduce a building’s energy consumption while maintaining exceptional indoor comfort year-round.
Originally developed in Germany in the early 1990s by Professor Wolfgang Feist and Professor Bo Adamson, the Passivhaus approach focuses on creating ultra-efficient buildings that use minimal energy for heating and cooling.
Rather than relying on complex systems or renewable energy add-ons, Passivhaus buildings use a fabric-first approach. This means the energy efficiency is built into the structure of the building itself, through high-quality insulation, airtight construction, and smart design efficiencies. The result is homes that are warm in winter, cool in summer, and remarkably low-cost to run.
What are the principles of the Passivhaus Standard?
The Passivhaus standard prescribes a certifiable methodology to ensure only low levels of heat and electricity are needed to warm and operate the home all year round, complemented by a highly insulated envelope around the outside of the home, ensuring maximum internal comfort and affordability.
To achieve this standard, the following five basic principles apply for the construction of Passivhaus:
- Thermal Insulation
High levels of insulation are required throughout the building envelope—including walls, roofs, and floors. This helps maintain a stable indoor temperature regardless of the weather. - High-Performance Windows
High performing double or triple-glazed windows with insulated frames are typically used. These are strategically positioned to both maximise solar gain in winter (to help heat the home when the outside temperature is at its coldest) while also minimising overheating in summer. - Thermal Bridge-Free Design
Careful detailing and construction techniques are required to be considered and evidenced when designing and building the envelope around new homes, ensuring there are no weak points (thermal bridges) within the building fabric where heat can escape. - Airtight Construction
Passivhaus buildings are meticulously sealed to prevent unwanted air leakage and heat loss from the homes. The airtightness must be verified through pressure testing, with a maximum allowance of 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50). - Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
Complementing the airtight construction, a ventilation system is also required to continuously supply fresh air within the home while recovering any heat from outgoing air. This ensures excellent air quality without incurring any unnecessary heat loss and therefore energy wastage from within the home.
What are the benefits of Passivhaus?
Living in a Passivhaus offers a wide range of advantages that go far beyond energy savings:
- Lower Energy Bills: A Passivhaus certified home can use up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than a conventional existing home, making it highly cost-effective to run.
- Exceptional Comfort: With consistent indoor temperatures and no cold spots or draughts, residents can live in comfort throughout the year.
- Quiet Interiors: Thick insulation and an airtight structure help reduce external noise, creating a peaceful indoor environment.
- Healthier Air Quality: The continuous supply of filtered fresh air reduces indoor pollutants, moisture, and allergens — ideal for people with respiratory issues.
- Environmentally Friendly: By dramatically lowering energy consumption, Passivhaus buildings help reduce carbon emissions and support national net-zero sustainability goals.
- Durability and Quality: The higher design and construction standards and certification process required of a Passivhaus home lead to buildings that are more robust, helping to reduce the requirements for longer-term maintenance.
- Increased Property Value: Energy-efficient homes are becoming more attractive in the property market, often with higher resale values .
Passivhaus Standards
To be officially certified as a Passivhaus , a building must meet the following criteria:
- Space Heating Demand:
No more than 15 kWh per square metre of treated floor area per year, or a peak heating load of no more than 10 W/m². - Primary Energy Demand:
All energy use (including heating, hot water, and appliances) must not exceed 60 kWh per square metre per year (for the “Classic” standard). - Airtightness:
Maximum of 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal, verified by an on-site blower door test. - Thermal Comfort:
Temperatures must remain below 25°C for at least 90% of the time annually to prevent overheating.
There are also variations such as EnerPHit, a tailored standard for retrofitting existing buildings, which adjusts some of the criteria while maintaining high energy performance.

Passivhaus at Deptford Landings
At Deptford Landings, sustainability meets comfort with a new generation of energy-efficient homes built to Passivhaus design standards. Launching in early 2026, this exciting new development brings a collection of 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership homes to a vibrant riverside community just moments from the Thames.
Passivhaus design is a proven approach to building homes that use minimal energy while providing year-round comfort. These homes are expertly built to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thanks to superior insulation, airtight construction, and high-performance windows. Advanced ventilation systems will provide fresh, filtered air throughout the day, significantly improving indoor air quality.
This will mean lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and a quieter, more peaceful home, all without compromising on style or convenience.
Whether you're relaxing on your private balcony, strolling through the landscaped courtyard, or taking a short walk to the River Thames, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of modern living in these Shared Ownership homes built for a greener future.
Register your interest now to be part of this forward-thinking neighbourhood in one of London’s most up-and-coming locations.
View of the Thames near Deptford Landings
Frequently asked questions about Passivhaus
A Passivhaus home is designed and built to meet strict energy efficiency standards that drastically reduce the need for heating and cooling. This includes features like high-performance insulation, airtight construction, triple-glazed windows, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). Combined, these elements create a home that stays at a comfortable temperature all year round with minimal energy use delivering exceptional comfort, air quality, and sustainability.
Living in a Passivhaus home means enjoying consistent indoor temperatures, reduced energy bills, and a quieter, healthier home. The advanced ventilation system provides a constant flow of fresh, filtered air, improving air quality and reducing allergens. High insulation and airtight design also help block out external noise, creating a peaceful living environment. Overall, Passivhaus homes offer greater comfort and wellbeing, with less environmental impact.
Passivhaus design isn’t just for new builds, it can also be applied to existing homes through a process called EnerPHit, a retrofit standard developed by the Passivhaus Institute. While retrofitting to Passivhaus levels can be more complex due to existing structures, it’s entirely possible and can lead to significant improvements in energy performance, comfort, and long-term savings.