2025 Resource Library
Week 2:
Airtightness, Ventilation and Thermal Bridging
Session 2 explored the critical building envelope elements that determine Passivhaus performance, covering thermal bridging identification and mitigation, airtightness fundamentals and testing, and ventilation system design for health and comfort.
Merylese Mercieca presented a compelling health case study comparing occupant wellness between a code-compliant home and a Passivhaus.
Presented by: Kieran Leong, DesignInc
Presented by: Merylese Mercieca
Resources
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What is a Thermal Bridge?
Passive House International (2020)
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Calculating Linear Thermal Bridges in Passive Houses with THERM
Passive House Academy, 2016
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The Passivhaus Guide to Airtightness
Passivehouse Plus, 2019
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Good Practice Guide to Airtightness
UK Passive House Trust, 2020
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Designing Passive House Ventilation Systems
Achr News, 2020
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Ventilation Design for Multifamily Residential Buildings
Hugh Crowther, Swegon (2017)
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Ventilation Systems Overview
Bostoen (2013)
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Health and Wellbeing in Highly Energy Efficient Buildings
Wallner et al., 2017
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Passive House and Radon Control
Queens University, 2021
Summary
Core Learning Objectives
Master the technical fundamentals of building envelope performance
Understand ventilation system design for Australian climates
Identify and address thermal bridging challenges
Essential Resources
🔧 Thermal Bridging
What is a Thermal Bridge? 🌐(2020) Fundamental concepts and identification guide [Link: https://blog.passivehouse-international.org/what-is-a-thermal-bridge/]
Calculating Linear Thermal Bridges in Passive Houses with THERM 📄 (2016) Step-by-step modeling instructions and software guide [Download: ThermInstructions_Version-1c.pdf]
📖 Airtightness Fundamentals
The Passivhaus Guide to Airtightness 🌐 (2019) Comprehensive overview of principles and best practices [Link: https://passivehouseplus.ie/magazine/guides/the-ph-guide-to-airtightness]
Good Practice Guide to Airtightness 📄 Practical implementation strategies and common challenges [Download: Good Practice Guide to Airtightness.pdf]
🌬️ Ventilation Design and Health
Designing Passive House Ventilation Systems 🌐 Putting ventilation front and center in design process [Link: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/143762-designing-a-passive-house-means-putting-ventilation-front-and-center]
Ventilation Design for Multifamily Residential Buildings 📄 Specific considerations for multi-unit developments [Download: Ventilation Design Considerations for Passive House Multifamily Residential Buildings.pdf]
Ventilation Systems Overview 🎥 Visual guide to system types and installation [Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut9wQmbUY7I&ab_channel=PolyurethanesMedia]
📊 Health and Performance Research
Health and Wellbeing in Highly Energy Efficient Buildings 🌐 Field study results on occupant health outcomes [Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5369150/]
Passive House and Radon Control 📄 Effective radon mitigation in domestic construction [Download: Certified_passive_house._An_effective_control_of_randon_in_domestic_construction.pdf]
Special Thanks
The content of this program was originally developed by Passivhaus enthusiast, and previous APA Chair, Kate Nason, Senior Sustainability Advisor Frasers Property. Kate donated the intellectual property of the 8-hour program to the Association to support the growth of Passivhaus in Australia. If it were not for thoughtful and caring volunteers, like Kate, APA would not have the resource pool it has to draw upon. It has since been adapted and updated.
