Low-energy house

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This thermogram compares a traditional building (left) to one built to the German passive house standard (right)

Generically, a low-energy house is any type of house that uses less energy than a regular house.

In general use, a low-energy house right now is considered to be one that uses around half of the German & Swiss low-energy standards mentioned below. Low energy is a relative term, of course, and will certainly change in the future.

Already ultra-low energy houses (such as those meeting the German passive house standard), zero energy houses and even energy plus houses are being built.

1 National standards
2 Low energy technology
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] National standards

In some countries the term relates to a specific building standard. In Germany a "Low Energy House" (Niedrigenergiehaus) has a limit equivalent to 7 litres of heating oil for one square meter of room for heating annually (50kWh/m²). In Switzerland the term is used in connection with the MINERGIE® standard (42 kWh/m²).

[edit] Low energy technology

Low-energy buildings typically use high levels of insulation, energy efficient windows and low levels of air infiltration. They may also use passive solar building design techniques or active solar technologies.

For further detail about the general evolution of the low energy house, see zero energy building.