Reposted from Jetsongreen
It’s no secret that Passivhaus, or Passive House, is exploding in popularity right now. This site is publishing more about Passive House every week and readers seem to be more interested in these ultra-efficient homes than ever. In fact, the volume of news references for “Passive House” and “Passivhaus” is up in recent years, according to a simple search using Google Trends.

So, what’s the secret behind the success of Passive House?

Dr. Wolfgang Feist, professor at the University of Innsbruck and founder of the Passivhaus Institut in Germany, explains in Passive Houses – The Secrets why this standard has become the “yardstick for the measurement of sustainable construction.”

1. Realized Projects. There are thousands of Passive House projects around the world. Many have open documents in support of performance accomplishments.

2. Tried and Tested. Passive Houses deliver tremendous energy savings and the results are demonstrated in tons of monitored examples.

3. Life Cycle Affordability. These homes achieve their energy savings through careful design and smart construction, not expensive gadgetry. The savings add up at the front and over time.

4. Best Indoor Air Quality. Passive Houses have great ventilation systems and will provide top-notch indoor air quality without using much energy.

5. No Metering. Some homes will use more energy in a month than a Passive House might use in a year. The energy use is so small, it may not pay to meter energy use.

6. Openly Learnable. The Passive House standard requires study and learning, but it’s not a secret or complicated program. Those that put in the time will pick it up.

7. Best Thermal Comfort. These houses are bright, clean, and comfortable with less drafts and temperature differences.

8. Architecturally Advantageous. Passive Houses can be architecturally significant and energy saving at the same time. The program doesn’t mandate a certain style, it requires airtight construction and a low-energy design.