Can you open windows in a passive house?

Yes, you can open windows in a passive house since almost any type of window can achieve the necessary performance standards.

What are the requirements for a window to meet passive house standards?

The requirements for a window to meet passive house standards are different in North America and Europe, but also in different climate zones. The two leading governing bodies that manage product standards and databases are the Passive House Institute in Europe and the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). The required performance includes an array of data points including, but not limited to, the U-value, psi-opaque value, frame and spacer properties, and more.

How much does a passive house window cost?

If you’re considering replacing all of your windows with windows that meet passive house standards, expect to pay an extra $75 to $125 per window. This is based on upgrading from double to triple pane, so a quad-pane upgrade will be more expensive.

Learn about Passive House Window

A passive house window is a high-performance window that has had its performance data verified by a passive house governing body, and will thus help a project achieve passive house certification. In the US, the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) provides a performance data verification mark to products that meet these rigorous energy-efficiency standards. These products and manufacturers are then published to the PHIUS Verified Windows Performance Database and are able to position themselves in the market as the pinnacle of high-performance windows.

Verified passive house windows each receive a data label containing all of the thermal performance information. The label displays a variety of technical criteria that include, but are not limited to, recommended climate zone, glazing, whole window installed U-value, frame and spacer properties, psi-opaque value (a measure of heat loss), and more.

You can learn more about the label on the “A Closer Look at the Label” page at phius.org. If you don’t care to dig into the technical details, at the very least look for a window that is recommended for your specific climate zone. Your builder, designer, or architect should be able to help you navigate the many options available on the market.

A window verified by PHIUS or another passive house governing body will help a project achieve passive house certification while providing optimal comfort and efficiency. Passive house verified windows have features that enable the highest levels of energy efficiency and solar energy generation. These windows will have a high R-value, low U-value, and at least triple glazed (sometimes quad glazed) with the gaps between the panes filled with krypton or argon gas.

There is no such thing as a type of passive house window. Almost any window type can achieve passive house performance requirements, including casement windows, awning windows, tilt & turn windows, narrow picture, and wide picture windows.