Hello forum members,
We are planning to build and I am trying to decide on the construction method and technology to use.
So far, I like the Lego-style blocks (Isorast) with blocks measuring 42.75 cm (16.8 inches). Is it possible to build a passive house with these?
Of course, I need to insulate the foundation slab and roof well, and install triple-glazed windows.
However, based on conversations with the consultant, they recommend a heat pump, underfloor heating, and ventilation to maintain the desired temperature in the house.
Actually, in a passive house, you shouldn’t have to invest much in technology; otherwise you’re basically building a low-energy house (which is cheaper).
Will the additional costs for a passive house be worthwhile?
I look forward to your opinions.
We are planning to build and I am trying to decide on the construction method and technology to use.
So far, I like the Lego-style blocks (Isorast) with blocks measuring 42.75 cm (16.8 inches). Is it possible to build a passive house with these?
Of course, I need to insulate the foundation slab and roof well, and install triple-glazed windows.
However, based on conversations with the consultant, they recommend a heat pump, underfloor heating, and ventilation to maintain the desired temperature in the house.
Actually, in a passive house, you shouldn’t have to invest much in technology; otherwise you’re basically building a low-energy house (which is cheaper).
Will the additional costs for a passive house be worthwhile?
I look forward to your opinions.
Whether this investment makes sense in your case is something you’ll need to calculate (or have calculated) yourself. In my situation, the calculation was straightforward. A passive house costs about 50,000€ (approximately $54,000) extra. On top of that, I have interest charges of around 20,000€ (about $22,000) over 25 years at 3%.
The interesting question now is how much heating cost can be saved over that time. I still need to look into that. The difference would need to be about 233€ (approximately $250) per year for the passive house to pay off even with borrowed capital. It can be a bit less or more, of course. You would also need to calculate what happens if energy prices or interest rates increase. Then the whole picture changes completely.
The interesting question now is how much heating cost can be saved over that time. I still need to look into that. The difference would need to be about 233€ (approximately $250) per year for the passive house to pay off even with borrowed capital. It can be a bit less or more, of course. You would also need to calculate what happens if energy prices or interest rates increase. Then the whole picture changes completely.
Hello,
They say a passive house has 8% higher costs. I received the building site permit from the municipality, and there are some building regulations to follow (I need to insulate well). But if I use 10cm (4 inches) insulation or 25cm (10 inches) insulation in the passive house range, I think the difference is about 10,000 euros. But how do they come up with 50,000 euros? That is a lot, and I wonder if it is worth it.
The company I might build with says it is not much more expensive for them. In your case, what caused the higher costs and do these costs compare the passive house with a low-energy house or a passive house with a conventional building method?
They say a passive house has 8% higher costs. I received the building site permit from the municipality, and there are some building regulations to follow (I need to insulate well). But if I use 10cm (4 inches) insulation or 25cm (10 inches) insulation in the passive house range, I think the difference is about 10,000 euros. But how do they come up with 50,000 euros? That is a lot, and I wonder if it is worth it.
The company I might build with says it is not much more expensive for them. In your case, what caused the higher costs and do these costs compare the passive house with a low-energy house or a passive house with a conventional building method?
Unfortunately, I don’t speak your language and only managed to understand about half. I’ll try to respond anyway.
The problem with a passive house is the term itself. The insulation of a passive house is still relatively inexpensive. Whether 10,000€ is enough for it, I don’t know. However, insulation alone is probably not enough to meet the calculated passive house standard. If I understand the companies’ offers correctly, passive houses usually include heat pumps, controlled mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, underfloor heating, and sometimes solar panels. All together, this results in an additional cost of around 50,000€ compared to a conventional house.
In my case, I have concluded that I cannot simply decide for or against a passive house. I have to look at each aspect individually. Which heating system is suitable for which insulation level, and vice versa. In the end, whether it qualifies as a passive house or not doesn’t matter to me. My focus is purely on the expected costs, including interest.
The problem with a passive house is the term itself. The insulation of a passive house is still relatively inexpensive. Whether 10,000€ is enough for it, I don’t know. However, insulation alone is probably not enough to meet the calculated passive house standard. If I understand the companies’ offers correctly, passive houses usually include heat pumps, controlled mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, underfloor heating, and sometimes solar panels. All together, this results in an additional cost of around 50,000€ compared to a conventional house.
In my case, I have concluded that I cannot simply decide for or against a passive house. I have to look at each aspect individually. Which heating system is suitable for which insulation level, and vice versa. In the end, whether it qualifies as a passive house or not doesn’t matter to me. My focus is purely on the expected costs, including interest.
B
Bauexperte13 Sep 2011 23:22Hello,
It is not that simple, and in my opinion, the €50,000 (around $54,000) figure is quite optimistically calculated by the suppliers you contacted. A true passive house should only use about 15% of the energy of a conventional house, which means that beyond the installed technology, the wall construction, insulation, and roof must also be appropriate; not to mention the special window units, which alone increase the cost by about €20,000 (around $22,000) more than regular standard windows in a typical single-family home.
Kind regards
Skunk schrieb:
If I read the offers from the companies correctly, passive houses usually include heat pumps, controlled ventilation with heat recovery, underfloor heating, and sometimes solar panels. All of this together results in an additional cost of €50,000 (around $54,000) compared to a standard house.
It is not that simple, and in my opinion, the €50,000 (around $54,000) figure is quite optimistically calculated by the suppliers you contacted. A true passive house should only use about 15% of the energy of a conventional house, which means that beyond the installed technology, the wall construction, insulation, and roof must also be appropriate; not to mention the special window units, which alone increase the cost by about €20,000 (around $22,000) more than regular standard windows in a typical single-family home.
Kind regards
8 to 10% additional costs (what are extra costs – what is the baseline) are realistic for a Passive House, with somewhat lower rates for large Passive Houses (multi-family buildings). These "extra costs" fall within the usual range of variability found in quotes from contractors and developers. I am a certified Passive House designer myself and have built several Passive Houses.
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