Passive Windows and Passive Houses?

A passive house is a building in which a comfortable interior climate can be maintained without the need for a conventional heating system such as boiler or geo-thermal heat pump. A small back-up heat source is all that is needed in very cold weather.

The annual heating requirement in a passive house must be less than 15 kilowatt hours per square meter of living space per year (expressed as kWh/(m²a)). Building in accordance with the current regulations in Ireland would achieve an equivalent value (at best) of six times the passive house standard (100 kWh/(m²a). Passive houses are thus extremely efficient in terms of energy consumption while at the same time providing very high levels of comfort.

The following are the basic features that distinguish passive house construction (source - PassiveHouse Institute, Germany):

Compact form and good insulation:
All components of the exterior shell of the house are insulated to achieve a U-factor that does not exceed 0.15 W/(m²K.

Southern orientation and shade considerations:
- Passive use of solar energy is a significant factor in passive house design.

Energy-efficient window glazing and frames:
- Windows (glazing and frames, combined) should have U-factors not exceeding 0.80 W/(m²K).

Building envelope air-tightness:
- Air leakage through unsealed joints must be less than 0.6 times the house volume per hour.

Passive preheating of fresh air:
- Fresh air may be brought into the house through underground ducts that exchange heat with the soil. This preheats fresh air to a temperature above 5°C (41°F), even on cold winter days. Highly efficient heat recovery from exhaust air using an air-to-air heat exchanger: Most of the perceptible heat in the exhaust air is transferred to the incoming fresh air (heat recovery rate over 80%).

Hot water supply using regenerative energy sources:
- Solar panels or heat pumps provide energy for hot water. Energy-saving household appliances: Low energy refrigerators, stoves, freezers, lamps, washers, dryers, etc. are indispensable in a passive house.

The company "interpanel"  is now offering the best triple glazing down to a total thickness of 36mm Passiv Haus certified (PHI,Darmstadt,Dr.Feist). It is the perfect triple glass for you BIEBER Windows.

Passive Energy House

A passive house is a building in which a comfortable interior climate can be maintained without active heating and cooling systems. The house heats and cools itself, hence "passive".
Windows for a passive energy house must be 0.8 W/m² or better.BIEBER windows can achieve a U-Value of 0.74 W/m².The innovation that is synonymous with European construction is now available.

The membership of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (Menuiseries 21) supports the intent of environmental stewardship aimed at protecting the earth’s resources including sound environmental practices to protect our air, water, land and the human, animal and plant life of our planet.

Menuiseries 21 encourages the members to make the most efficient use of materials and resources, to recycle or reuse materials where economically feasible, and to conduct business in a manner that supports environmental stewardship.

Menuiseries 21 & FSC supports and defines sustainable forest management as the stewardship of forests that promotes the health, productivity and potential to fulfill relevant ecological, economic and social functions at the local, national and global levels, both today and for future generations. 

Menuiseries 21 support programs that promote the use of best forestry management practices and sustainable forestry activity.

Menuiseries 21 encourage and support the members to improve their practice of environmental stewardship and will work to assist them and the broader community in the implementation of sound environmental practices.

Passive Window Documentation (PDF)