WHAT???? How can a house be passive? Or even active? Who has ever heard of such a thing???

Let me explain that this is a rather technical and also most amazing topic. - The principle was developed in Germany, my old, cold, grey, and mostly rainy home country. A crazy man decided that he wanted to build a crazy home that did not need any heating and always would be warm enough. Crazy, - right? In minus 10 degrees?

He disagreed and explained the simple principle: Insulate thoroughly, seal all air leaks, and ventilate the place through a heat exchanger. The incoming cold and fresh air passes the outgoing hot and stale air through a metal heat exchanger, thus keeping the warmth in the home.

It turns out, that this simple idea is not that easy to transfer into reality, but we can do it, now. Go to the website of the APHA (Australian Passive House Association), and take a look at the examples, the training, the providers. One of them, Blue Eco Homes, is right here in the Blue Mountains and they even have a show home in Faulconbridge!

This home is even more than a passive house, - it also has our Healthy House Australia certification. That’s like the ‘organic’ label for veggies. Due to the control we have over the indoor air quality and of course the choice of building materials, this house was an ideal candidate to show the best practice in building, today.

The Faulconbridge house is also energy neutral, with its solar system and non-existing heating/cooling needs. Interestingly, even having a cat or a dog in such a well insulated home makes a noticeable difference to the overall temperature. Light a candle and it gets HOT (just kidding).

Of course, the large windows all around the home can be opened any time, to let nature in. However, during bushfires or pollen allergies it is best to keep the windows shut and filter the incoming air through the central air inlet.

Ironically, the Passive House is only passive in one way: it uses very little energy. Otherwise, it is actually most Active, supporting the owners to breathe and live well at all times. It’s the house that loves you back, your own little wellness-retreat.

Thanks to Blue Eco Homes for bringing it to us! - The very long list of awards they achieved shows, how much needed and appreciated that effort has been.

Sometimes I think that Buildingbiology and Passive House were way ahead of their times and are coming to fruition, only now. Let’s enjoy this opportunity and make our homes as healthy and sustainable as they can be.