What is a passive house? We’re glad you asked. With so many buzz terms in the world of green homes and sustainable living, it can sometimes be hard to keep up. But the concept of a passive home is actually pretty simple when it comes to living a green lifestyle.
From heating and cooling to indoor air quality and ventilation systems, we take a look at what makes a passive house and why many people believe they’re the future of eco-friendly building. And if building your own home seems like a far off pipedream, check out our article on how you can make your own home more eco-friendly in easy and affordable ways.
What makes a home a passive house?
Been meaning to switch to a home that’s more sustainable? A passive house could help you do just that. In its simplest form, a passive house is a home designed to require minimal heating and cooling.
To be officially qualified, though, the International Passive House Association states that there is a list of requirements a home has to meet. Here are some of the recommendations the IPHA lists to ensure a home meets the passive house standard.
Thermal protection
It’s important to ensure your home is well insulated. All edges and connections must be carefully planned to avoid nasty drafts finding their way in. This way you’ll use less heating, meaning higher energy efficiency. Win!
Airtightness
Prevent moisture damage by keeping your house super airtight. Your home’s airtightness must be displayed with a pressure test where, according to the IPHA, the allowable air change can’t exceed 0.6 times a room’s volume per hour and the pressure differential is limited to 50 Pascals. Confused? We hear you – but finding the right company to carry out a “blower door test” will have you covered.
Ventilation
According to the IPHA, it’s important to invest in ventilation units with heat recovery. This is because they are vital when it comes to energy savings, in turn making them essential for energy efficient homes. Ventilation units with heat recovery ensure that the warmth carried by the exhaust air isn’t wasted, but initially transferred to the incoming fresh air without the two air streams ever mixing. Clever stuff!
Window glazing
To make your home as sustainable as possible, it’s important to use well-insulated window frames with multiple lip packing. The IPHA states that glazings should have “a high total solar transmittance (g-value) of at least 50% making a net heat gain possible during the winter”. That said, lower g-values may be used for very warm and sunny climates (which is useful for those of us living Down Under!).
Protection against mould
To protect a passive house from mould, it’s important to abide by all the above points. A great ventilation system, thermal protection and ideally triple Low-E glazed window panes with noble gas filling should be used (although, straightforward double glazing should suffice in warmer countries). If a passive house is doing its job properly, you won’t find any mould!
Why would I want a passive house?
There are many reasons why you would want to have a passive house, but the main reason is that they’re so environmentally friendly. Their design and construction mean they rely less on natural resources and heating energy, making them the number one choice for green living.
Another reason you might want to opt for a passive home is because of the money you’ll end up saving in the long run. Sure, a passive house will set you back initially – according to Ken Levenson of NY Passive House, building an average-sized passive home will typically add between 5 to 10 per cent to the construction budget – heating and cooling it will cost far less than other homes.
Another advantage of living in a passive house is that the inside temperatures tend to be more comfortable than in a traditional home. This is because the internal air temperature is so consistent, whereas non-passive homes tend to move between boiling and freezing. Plus, the air quality in a passive house is also far superior to a traditional home, due to the air being systematically circulated and filtered.
How is a passive house built?
The trick with passive houses is that they’re actually built like any other building. The majority of the same materials and methodologies that apply to a traditionally-built house also apply to a passive house.
The bulk of what makes a home have a passive design takes place in the initial design stages. The insulation of the home will be key in the early design, as well as how airtight the home is. The most important aspect of a passive house is that it should reduce wasted energy (and money).
Another misconception when it comes to passive houses is that they have to look outlandish or futuristic. This isn’t the case (although, there are some pretty awesome passive house designs out there!). Whether you’re after something classic, contemporary, rustic or polished, the fundamental principles of passive homes can be applied to any living space you choose. What stays the same is that the house will always have lower energy consumption.
How to get started
Whether you’re new to the idea of passive houses or have been toying with the idea of building one for some time, making the switch can have a huge positive impact on both the environment and your own time spent at home. Yes, the initial costs are high (building your own home, in general, is going to hit the wallet hard), but the long term effects for both the planet and your bank balance will make it worthwhile.
Now you know more about what passive houses are and how they're built, you’re probably wondering how to build one of your own. If you’re lucky enough to be in a position to build your own home (or dream to be one day!), Green Homes Australia is a great place to start, being the only internationally compliant Green Builder in the country. Otherwise, work with a smaller, more independent architect and builder to scope out the eco-friendly home of your dreams.
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Plastic Free July is here again. But what exactly is the global movement and what makes it so important? Well, anyone who tries to live even the slightest bit of a sustainable life, will know the importance of cutting down single-use plastics. So, what better time to cut down or cut out plastic altogether? We take a look at what Plastic Free July is, why it’s important and how you can get involved. Why not get into the habit of reducing single-use plastic waste every day, whether it’s at home, work or your favourite place to go for lunch. By taking part in Plastic Free July, you’ll be doing something that challenges people and yourself, but gets others to take part in slowing down and ultimately ending the process of plastic production. What is Plastic Free July? Plastic Free July is a global movement that allows millions of people across the world to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. From cleaner oceans to streets, Plastic Free July is the perfect opportunity to commit to refusing single-use plastics. Plastic Free July is an important initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working towards a world free from plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign has been born from years of hard work and dedication. Why is Plastic Free July important? We produce an estimated 300 million tonnes of plastic each year. Let that sink in for a few moments. Once it has… process the next part: roughly half of it is disposable! Sadly, only 10-13% of plastic items are actually recycled. And, because of the nature of petroleum-based disposable plastic, it is almost impossible to recycle it and chemicals have to be added in order to do so. These same degrading chemicals make their way into our food and water supply. And this is just some of the terrible impacts plastic has on us. When it comes to the environment, we’ve all seen devastating images of sea creatures tangled in plastic. We’ve also seen what climate change does to the planet, a concept that plastic waste contributes to. How you can get involved Whether you’re an eco newbie on the hunt for a few single-use plastics to avoid or are a more seasoned sustainable warrior, there are many ways you can feel inspired to live a plastic-free life. Here are just a few to get you started. Switch to reusable coffee cups If you haven’t already, it’s time to ditch those disposable cups and opting for reusable versions. Ours is the perfect option for your favourite morning beverage. Refuse pre-packed fruit and vegetables Buying fruits and veggies wrapped in plastic packaging is convenient but bad for the environment. Avoid single-use plastics and refuse pre-packed groceries. Get some reusable straws Sometimes a straw is the perfect accompaniment to a nice, cool drink. But if the straw’s plastic, you’re better off going without. The solution? Carry a reusable straw with you so you can refuse plastic. Replace plastic bags with a tote Choosing to refuse single-use plastics is a bold and effective step to a better planet. Plastic shopping bags should be instantly cut from your life. Always carry a reusable tote with you. Say no to plastic water bottles Single-use plastic water bottles have no place in today’s world. A simple and sustainable solution is carrying a reusable flask with you. Easy. Effortless. Eco. Head to the Plastic Free July website to find out more ways you can help.
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What is World Environment Day and how can you get involved?
From last summer’s devastating bushfires to our increasingly polluted seas, there’s no denying the impact our actions have on the planet. That’s why we all need to take steps to reduce our footprint and live a more sustainable life this World Environment Day and beyond. From choosing bamboo as our hero fabric to giving back to an array of causes, we always keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds. But before we look at everything we’re doing to be greener here at Boody, we thought we’d take a look at what World Environment Day is and how it's being celebrated this year. What is World Environment Day? One of the most important days across the globe for environmental action, World Environment Day engages citizens, businesses, the government and celebrities to turn their attention to pressing environmental issues. Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on the 5th of June. 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How to create a sustainable home one room at a time
It’s April. Which means it’s nearly Earth Day again. Except, this year we’d hardly notice because we have so much else going on. Social distancing. Self-isolating. Trying to keep our spirits high during a time filled with so much uncertainty. But there are some positives that have come from this unprecedented time. You might have seen the satellite photos displaying how the COVID-19-led lockdowns across the world have lowered global emissions and giving Mother Nature a well-earned rest. What better way to celebrate Earth Day later this month? And, while we spend more time at home than ever before, we find ourselves finding time to focus on things we rarely have time for. Our physical and mental wellbeing. Creative hobbies and outlets. Spending time with loved ones we live with, albeit at a distance. Another thing we might find we have extra time for at home is catching up with some bits around the home we’ve put off. And, seeing as it’s Earth Day later this month, what better time to figure out how to create a sustainable home one room at a time? Sarah Pelham, the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell, offers some of these handy tips which we hope help to take your mind off the never-ending stream of news right now. Over to you, Sarah. Make your home eco-friendly Sustainable living is something that’s becoming more and more important to a lot of us, and we might have already started to make simple lifestyle changes such as walking more rather than using the car, or taking our own reusable shopping bags with us when we head out. And that’s great! But it’s time we all went a little bit further; it’s time we start shifting from a sustainable lifestyle to a sustainable house. Eco homes can massively minimise our impact on the environment. And don’t worry – creating eco-friendly homes isn’t quite as daunting as it sounds! There are lots of ‘basic’ changes you can make instantly, such as swapping out incandescent bulbs for LED lighting or getting a recycling bin, for example. But if you’re keen to delve into the world of eco-homes, even more, there are lots more ways that you can make a difference, making positive changes around your home, one room at a time. Here’s a bit of room-by-room inspiration to get you started: Bathroom National Geographic estimates that 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. This is why to have a truly sustainable bathroom, it’s best to try and avoid products that are made of, or are packaged in, plastic. Here are some great plastic-free bathroom alternatives to get you started. With bathrooms often being warm and steamy from a hot bath or shower, they’re the perfect environment for germs to thrive. Cleaning a bathroom is never a pleasant job, and many of us automatically choose the strongest cleaning solutions to make sure we kill any nasties lying around. Unfortunately, these chemical-filled cleaners get flushed away, filtered, and are back in the water supply… even if some chemicals still remain. Instead, try to use natural cleaning products. You can even make some yourself using white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Kitchen One of the best ways to get the ball rolling on an eco kitchen is to invest. Invest in high-quality cookware and durable plates and bowls, rather than always selecting the cheapest options. Why? Because investing in quality means investing in sustainability. High-quality cookware and dishes are more likely to withstand frequent use and washing, and less likely to deteriorate or break from everyday use. Cookware that lasts for years can significantly reduce demand for manufacturing, and all the byproducts of manufacturing such as energy, water, and fuel. If you’re not quite a dab hand in the kitchen, you may want to look away now. Believe it or not, cooking at home is actually one of the best ways to create a sustainable kitchen! Pre-packaged ready meals have probably done more travelling than you and me combined. Each step of the process will usually be handled at a different facility, really clocking up those food miles. Cooking from scratch not only means you can reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also be sure that the ingredients have been sourced sustainably. Don’t forget to use green kitchen appliances, too. Bedroom Could your bedroom do with a lick of paint? If you’re redecorating, try to use eco-friendly paint that’s much better for the environment (and for your own health, too!). Look for ‘low VOC’ or ‘zero VOC’ paints, which have fewer volatile organic compounds that can be released into the air. Low VOC paints typically have less than 50g per litre, while zero VOC paints have less than 5g per litre. It’s always best to check the labels to know for sure, but as a general rule of thumb, flat latex paints that are light in colour usually have lower VOCs than glossy, oil-based paints. If you’ve chosen cotton sheets for your bedroom, good for you. You probably know that cotton is a pretty good choice for a sustainable bedroom. But it’s not the best choice. The problem with cotton is that fertilisers and pesticides are often used in the farming processes, which aren’t great for the planet. If you’re looking to make a quick and simple swap, switch to organic bamboo sheets, which look and feel really similar. Bamboo holds the world record for the fastest-growing plant at a rate of 91cm per day, so there’s always a constant, renewable source. Here’s some more benefits of bamboo. Living Room Think the perfect couch doesn’t exist? Think again. Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell once said that it took the Apple Co-Founder eight years to decide on a couch, but we think it’s much easier to find the right one… especially if you look at sustainable options. A sustainable couch really can be whatever you make it. You could choose second-hand furniture, with absolutely no new resources used, or you could buy new. When buying new, look for couches made using sustainable wood (with FSC or AFS certification), or try to buy from a local manufacturer. Need new furniture for your living room? Here’s a bit of a crazy idea, but it’s one that could help you create a unique space and the sustainable living room of your dreams. Instead of buying new, how about trying to build new furniture from items already in your home? This is also ideal now it’s hard to get out much! For example, you could create a side table by stacking books, or a box shelf from an old desk drawer. Upcycling is a fantastic way to minimise the amount we send to landfill and create one-of-a-kind spaces. And best of all, you’ll be reducing the piles of clutter that you just don’t know what to do with! There’s no rush The thought of what could happen if we all carry on as we are is terrifying, but the truth is that the world isn’t going to implode tomorrow. Don’t try and implement all these changes at once, or you may end up feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up. And that’s not doing the planet any good! Instead, approach sustainable living from a ‘one room at a time’ perspective. By working in bite-sized, manageable chunks, you’ll soon find that you’ve created an eco-home that really makes a difference. And right now, this could be time well-spent indeed. Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.
