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Passive House Construction with Quacent SIP

At a Glance

Passive House is a building standard that combines ultra-low energy demand with high comfort, health, and construction quality. With Quacent SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels), you can build quickly, achieving a continuous airtight and highly insulated envelope—the cornerstone of every Passive House design

What is Passive House?

Passive House is a performance-based building standard developed by the Passive House Institute (PHI). Core requirements include:

  • Space heating demand: ≤ 15 kWh/m²·year (or peak load ≤ 10 W/m²).
  • Cooling demand: ≤ 15 kWh/m²·year (climate dependent).
  • Airtightness: n₅₀ ≤ 0.6 h⁻¹ (blower door test at 50 Pa).
  • Space heating demand: ≤ 15 kWh/m²·year (or peak load ≤ 10 W/m²).
  • Thermal quality: continuous insulation, free from thermal bridges.
  • Ventilation: balanced ventilation with heat recovery (HRV) for fresh indoor air.
  • Primary energy demand (PER): varies depending on certification class (Classic, Plus, Premium).

Result: very low energy bills, draft-free spaces, quiet and stable indoor temperatures, and excellent building physics

Why SIP Panels for Passive House?

SIPs are sandwich panels with structural facings and an insulating core. In one installation step, they provide structure + insulation + airtightness

Advantages for Passive House:

  • Airtight by design: large-format panels minimize joints and leakage points.
  • High R-values in compact walls: very low U-values with relatively thin assemblies.
  • Minimal thermal bridges: engineered details and factory precision
  • Fast & predictable: CNC-prefab panels, reduced construction time and on-site errors.
  • Consistent quality: factory-controlled production with standardized assembly guides

Steps to Achieve Passive House with Quacent SIP

1) Design & PHPP Base Model

● Define certification goal (Classic, Plus, Premium).
● Optimize orientation, form factor, and glazing ratios.
● Create PHPP model using Quacent assemblies (U-values, ψ-values, shading, ventilation)

2) Wall/Roof Assemblies & Detailing

● Ensure continuous insulation and airtight layers
● Define an airtightness plan (sealing tapes, membranes, caulking.
● Address thermal bridges with detail calculations (foundation, windows, beams)

3) Windows & Doors

● Triple glazing, low Uw ≤ 0.8 W/m²·K, warm edge spacers.
● Thermally insulated installation frames.
● Positioned within the insulation layer for optimal performance.

4) Ventilation & HVAC

● Balanced ventilation with ≥ 80% heat recovery efficiency.
● Compact low-temperature heating/cooling (e.g. heat pump).
● Airtight penetrations and service cavity for installations.

5) Quality Assurance & Testing

● Blower door test (target ≤ 0.4 h⁻¹ to allow margin).
● IR thermography, on-site inspections, and installation checklists.
● As-built PHPP verification and commissioning reports.

Example SIP Assemblies

Exterior Wall (Passive House-ready):

● Exterior finish (cladding, render system, or panels)
● Ventilated cavity
● SIP wall panel (165–310 mm)
● Airtight layer (sealing tapes, gaskets)
● Service cavity (40–60 mm, insulated)
● Interior finish (gypsum, gypsum fiber, or other)

Roof Assembly (thermal bridge-free):

● External roofing layer (tiles, membrane, or standing seam)
● SIP roof panel with continuous insulation
● Airtight joints and sealed penetrations
● Interior finish (fire-rated board, acoustic panel, or exposed finish

Comfort & Performance Benefits

● Energy: extremely low heating/cooling demand → smaller HVAC systems, lower bills.
● Thermal comfort: no cold spots or drafts; stable surface temperatures
● Acoustics: airtight shell + mass-spring effect reduce external noise.
● Health: continuous fresh air supply through HRV systems.

Passive House vs. Standard BENG/Building Code

● Energy demand: Passive House goes far beyond minimum energy codes.
● Envelope quality: stricter on airtightness and thermal bridging.
● Comfort: measurable improvements in indoor temperature stability and air quality.
● Verification: based on PHPP modeling + blower door testing, not just simulations

Project Workflow with Quacent

1. Feasibility Study – program, location, budget.
2. PHPP Concept Modeling – U-/ψ-values, glazing, shading, ventilation, iterations.
3. Detailing & Shop Drawings – CNC files, airtightness plan, service cavity strategy.
4. Prefabrication & Logistics – production, packaging by assembly sequence, shipping.
5. On-site Assembly & QA – training, airtightness checks, blower door testing.
6. Handover & Certification – final PHPP, documentation, and support for Passive House certification if desired.

Typical Deliverables

Technical datasheets (λ-values, U-values, fire, acoustic).

Detail book (foundation, window junctions, roof edges, penetrations).

Airtightness plan (materials, tapes, sealing strategies).

Assembly manual (installation steps, tolerances, fasteners)

Quality check forms (airtightness checks, photographic log)

PHPP dataset (assemblies, windows, systems, shading).

Why Choose Quacent?

Proven experience with SIP shells from small-scale to large developments

Fast lead times thanks to efficient prefabrication and shipping logistics.

Full support from design to certification: PHPP modeling, detailing, airtightness, QA.

Europe-ready solutions, adapted to local codes and contractor needs

Take the Next Step

Send us your concept drawings or requirements for a PHPP quick-scan

We will provide an initial proposal with build-up, indicative U-values, timeline, and budget.

Optional: on-site airtight construction workshop for your design and assembly teams

Contact us: sales@quacent.eu

Disclaimer: Performance values (U-values, ψ-values, airtightness rates, efficiencies) are
indicative. Final performance is determined per project via PHPP modeling, detailed
calculations, and on-site testing.