In comparison with a conventional building, a Passive House cuts down the expenses of thermal energy consumption and heating expenses up to 8-10 times, this means saving of more than 85-90%.
The enterprise „Māju Fabrika” has taken European Passive House concept as the norm in Passive House building, which determines that its thermal energy consumption is up to 15 kWh/m² per year. The total energy expenditure, which includes heating, hot water and electricity, in these buildings is up to 120 kWh/ m² per year. Heating expenses of a Passive House are 7-8 times lower
A Passive House uses no more than about 1,5 cubic metres of natural gas (equivalent to 15 kWh) per year and square metre of living space. This means that 150 square metre house will require 225 cubic metres of gas per year. The windows are an essential element in the provision of an energy efficient Passive House – they create a connection to the outside world and let daylight enter the rooms. They also function as “passive” solar panels that let the sun warm up the rooms. In central Europe Passive Houses have triple-glazed windows and the frames are equally well insulated. The largest windows facing south, allow for so much of the sun’s energy to enter the building that it more than makes up for any heat that may be lost through them. To reach such a positive balance in Latvia, a bit different approach to window installation is necessary – the window frame is „built into” the heat insulation layer of the building
