6 Passive Design Ideas to Improve Energy Efficiency

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Happy Eco News 6 Passive Design Ideas to Improve Energy Efficiency

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6 Passive Design Ideas to Improve Energy Efficiency

‘Sustainability’ is the watchword of our modern age. As the news cycle fills with headlines caused by climate change, industries everywhere know they have to do better or risk adding to the problem unnecessarily. 

Construction is no exception – and it is within this industry that we stumble across a concept that can play an important role in building a sustainable future.

We are, of course, talking about passive design principles. By following these when building a new property or restoring an existing one, you can lower energy consumption dramatically – eliminating reliance on fossil fuels – and live a far greener, cheaper life.

Before we discuss how passive design principles might include things like glass walls, plants for insulation and structural overhangs, it is important to first establish exactly what we mean by passive design.

What is passive design?

Passive design is an architectural approach that embraces the natural state of a building, its envelope and its materials with the express purpose of improving energy efficiency. To achieve that, the structure will rely far less on artificial means of lighting, heating and ventilation, opting instead for a more sustainable approach. In short, the challenge for architects, homeowners, project managers and contractors is to create a space that is comfortable for all occupants without relying on energy consumption which could come from fossil fuels.

A modern construction utilising passive design principles. Image Cantifix

Why is passive design important?

According to research, the use of air conditioning units accounted for 7% of all electricity usage and 3% of all global emissions in 2022, a staggering figure that looks set to rise alongside developing countries as maximum temperatures continue to soar. Heating, likely considered closer to an essential than air conditioning, is an even bigger emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for four times the amount of emissions associated with AC. If you would like to turn your back on these emissions in pursuit of a greener alternative, it is passive design principles that you need to follow.

But where do you start? Perhaps by saying ‘let there be [natural] light!’

Passive design idea #1: Increase the natural light

We’ve placed the concept of natural light at the very top of our ideas list because – in our humble opinion – it is the best way to improve the energy efficiency of your building. First and foremost, installing a large piece of bespoke glazing like a glass wall, glass roof or corner glass reduces the need for artificial lighting enormously. This is especially important for windows placed on the north side of your house; if you are in the northern hemisphere, these areas are likely to be the darkest, so in need of maximising any possible natural illumination. Secondly, additional glazing can take advantage of thermal gain in the winter by trapping the long-wave infrared rays that produce warmth. To ensure that warmth can flow through your house even after the sun has gone down, it is vital that your windows and other glazed surfaces are modern windows, equipped with appropriate thermal technologies like low-emissivity coatings.

Passive design idea #2: Green insulation

The insulation that fills your walls, sits beneath your carpets and lines your loft is likely to be made from petrochemicals, producing emissions and requiring disposal once they have reached their lifespan (typically a few decades). Green insulation, on the other hand, is a term that encompasses all plants growing up the side of your building or on its roof. You might, for example, let English ivy climb up the side of your building or you might have modules of sedum placed on top of your roof – on tiles that would otherwise be an ecological desert.

 Of course, we know that talking to anyone within the construction industry about growing plants close to a structure can make them feel uncomfortable, but do not fear: English ivy gets a bad press for causing damage, but this is unwarranted. The aerial roots of ivy are only able to take advantage of existing damage, it doesn’t create the damage in the first place. More than simply not causing damage, studies suggest that the plant cools the internal temperature of a building by as much as 5°C in summer when compared to bare buildings and increases the internal winter temperature by as much as 0.5°C. If, however, you don’t trust ivy (and we can’t entirely blame you), there are a host of other climbing plants you could try – star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), for example, is evergreen and smells amazing at the back-end of summer.

Wisteria covering the exterior of this building. Image by Michaela, at home in Germany

Passive design idea #3: Install natural ventilation

If you would like to improve air quality and maintain comfort within a space without relying on appliances like air conditioning units, there are plenty of options available. Strategically placing windows, vents, and openings can create a flow of fresh air that cools and refreshes the indoor environment, something that is highlighted and required by Part F of the UK Building Regulations.

The concept of natural ventilation relies on two primary mechanisms: cross-ventilation and stack ventilation. Cross-ventilation involves positioning windows or vents on opposite sides of a space, allowing cool air to enter from one side and push stale air out the other. This approach works best in areas with consistent breezes, ensuring a continuous flow of fresh air.

Stack ventilation, on the other hand, takes advantage of the natural tendency of warm air to rise. By incorporating higher vents or openings, warm air can escape from the upper parts of the building, creating a vacuum that draws cooler air in from lower openings. This method is especially effective in multi-story buildings and can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, even on warm days.

Passive design idea #4: Introduce shading and overhangs

As we mentioned previously, a quick and reliable way of cooling down a room might be to switch on the air conditioning unit, but this is energy-intensive and far away from the idea of passive design. For a south-side room that is getting too hot during the height of summer, you might instead choose to install stylish mechanical awnings, automatic blinds that react to the temperature or even switchable glass, the shading of which can be activated at the click of a button. Natural shading might also come in the form of a wisteria-covered pergola or a deciduous tree that lets light through its canopy in winter but blocks it out during the intensity of summer. These might seem like quite straightforward additions – and they are – but they they are also very effective at controlling the interior temperature of a building.

Curtains can provide the necessary shading in summer. Photo by Pixabay

Passive design idea #5: Install a Trombe wall

Harness the power of slow-release thermal energy with a Trombe wall, a temperature regulating concept that we absolutely love! Typically located on the south side of the building, a Trombe wall is made of a heat-absorbing material likeconcrete, brick, or stone and is covered by a layer of glass. Throughout the day, the sun’s warming infrared radiation passes through the glass to be absorbed by the material beyond. As evening draws in and the interior temperature drops, the heat from the Trombe wall is released, keeping you comfortable without burning gas or any other fossil fuels. Far from being an ungly device with only a functional purpose, a Trombe wall can become a feature wall with the right amount of planning, design flair and eye for detail.

Passive design idea #6: Position your building appropriately

While this passive design idea is last on our list, it is the one that must come first when designing your project. If your building is to be built in the northern hemisphere – which we are assuming it is – it should face south to take full advantage of the sun’s thermal energy. In terms of ventilation, you might like to orientate the structure so that the prevailing wind can gently blow through it – however, it is important to plant windbreak trees and other structures that filter the air so that your house or commercial building does not experience the full intensity of the wind./

A living room that is making the most of its passive design. Image Cantifix

Conclusion

Passive architectural design is the future of construction. It needs to be if the industry is to reduce its carbon footprint and limit its contributions to climate change. Whether you adopt the concept wholeheartedly, covering your walls with plants and installing a glass roof, or whether you take on board the overarching principles, you have the power to drive that change. The good news? There are plenty of specialists ready to help!

This article was written by William Messenger on behalf of Cantifix, one of the leading architectural glazing specialists in the UK. As well as creating innovative glass products, they also collaborate on research into the impact of natural light on our health and well-being.

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