Passive
PASSIVE
Passive prefabricated home
1. What is Passive
- What is PASSIVE
EasyGreen’s PASSIVE is a high energy-efficiency construction system, designed according to the principles of the Passive House standard.
Its aim is to create a home with very low heating and cooling needs, high airtightness, increased thermal insulation, reduced thermal bridges, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
In general, a passive building is designed with the aim of achieving heating and cooling needs of up to approximately 15 kWh/m² per year, while the final energy performance is documented through the PHPP study.
The Passive House standard includes the Classic, Plus, and Premium categories. The Classic category is mainly based on the extremely low energy consumption of the building, while the Plus and Premium categories are additionally linked to increased energy production from renewable sources, such as photovoltaics. The final category of each home results from the PHPP study and the technical choices of the project.
2. Who it is for
For those who consciously choose the philosophy of a passive building.
3. Construction philosophy
Strictly defined passive shell, increased insulation, airtightness, and elimination of thermal bridges.
4. Energy performance
Indicative annual energy consumption for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water:
approximately 11.2 kWh/m²·year
This value is comparative and indicative. The calculation estimate was carried out using the PHPP software, based on a specific 85 sq.m. home in Spata, Attica.
The actual consumption of each home depends on the geometry of the building, its orientation, location, shading, heating/cooling systems, the way it is used, and the habits of the residents.
5. What it includes
- What it includes
PASSIVE includes a high-specification passive shell, designed for extremely low energy consumption, high airtightness, and maximum thermal comfort. Its performance is based mainly on the shell of the home itself, rather than on powerful heating or cooling systems.
The main differentiating features of PASSIVE are:
✓ increased thermal insulation of the shell,
✓ high energy-efficiency frames,
✓ high airtightness of the construction,
✓ proper design and reduction of thermal bridges,
✓ mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
The system includes high-performance triple-glazed frames, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, a heating and cooling system adapted to the very low energy needs of the home, increased domestic hot water coverage, electric window shutters, kitchen, wardrobes, basic bathroom equipment, and other elements specified in the system’s Specifications Guide.
The final composition of the PASSIVE system is defined per project, according to the PHPP study, the drawings, the location, the orientation, and the technical choices made in collaboration with EasyGreen’s certified Passive House Designers.
6. What to expect
By choosing the Passive system, you are not simply choosing a home with more insulation, but an entirely different living experience.
The home is designed to maintain a more stable indoor temperature throughout the year, with minimal heating and cooling needs. The spaces remain more comfortable, without sharp temperature fluctuations, while mechanical ventilation with heat recovery contributes to the continuous renewal of indoor air.
Passive requires greater precision in the study and construction, better control of details, and stricter implementation of the shell specifications. For this reason, the initial investment is higher compared to simpler systems, but it is offset over time by significantly lower energy consumption, thermal comfort, and the overall quality of life the home offers.
A home is characterized as passive only when this is documented by the passive building study and, if certification is requested, through the inspection and confirmation process according to the Passive House standard.
7. Experience
First passive prefabricated home in Greece (2014).
The only prefabricated home company in Greece with passive houses certified by the Hellenic Passive House Institute.
Two certified Passive House Designers in the team.
8. Passive house certification (optional)
EasyGreen has the expertise and construction systems required so that, if requested, a home can be certified according to the Passive House standard.
The process includes:
- PHPP calculation
- application of prefabricated elements that meet the requirements of a passive shell
- airtightness test, blower door test
- submission of a complete file to the competent body, Hellenic Passive
- House Institute / Passive House Institute
Certification is optional and provided upon the client’s request.
External wall layer build-up of the Passive system
The wall construction of the Passive system has been designed according to the principles of passive buildings, with the aim of achieving extremely low energy consumption and creating a highly efficient and airtight building shell.
The construction includes multiple layers of timber framing made from Nordic Spruce structural timber, with thermal insulation material inside them, as well as OSB structural boards that contribute both to the structural adequacy and the airtightness of the construction.
On the internal side of the wall, an additional 50 mm timber frame has been added, serving two main purposes:
- it creates space for the passage of electrical and plumbing installations without penetrating the airtightness membrane
- it allows the internal plasterboard to be fixed without the membrane being pierced by screws
In this way, a high level of airtightness is maintained, which is a key requirement for achieving the specifications of a passive building.
Externally, a thermal insulation system with graphite EPS is applied, along with a reinforced base coat and final exterior render.
The combination of these layers creates a highly efficient structural wall system that drastically reduces thermal losses and contributes to meeting the requirements of a passive building.
Easily compare the four EasyGreen construction systems and see the key features, provisions, and cost category of prefabricated homes summarized in the comparison table, so you can choose the system that best fits your needs and budget.