In Australia, there is a misunderstanding about ‘Passivhaus’ and its suitability for an Australian climate. The team are sure you have heard of architects proclaiming they are too expensive or that they are ‘Eskys’, only suitable in cold climates. However, this is far from the truth, as Passivhaus principles are as much about living in comfortable spaces as they are about designing energy-efficient homes. Now, let me ask you—would you prefer the same stable environment inside your home regardless of the weather outside? We think so.
There are a few myths floating around about Passivhaus – let’s refute them.
Passivhaus is not suitable for warm climates
Despite Passivhaus’s European origins, where winter temperatures often fall below zero, Passivhaus Principles are centred around insulation, airtightness and energy efficiency. These concepts can apply to any climate, including Australia, and are not mutually exclusive to cold environments.
Australia’s building stock performs significantly lower than its European counterparts, and most people have lived at one point in our lives in a share house or apartment that didn’t even have insulation, and remember just how miserable the experience felt.
When you look at the climate profile of a temperate city such as Sydney, it makes the Passivhaus Principles more topical. Staying warm in winter is important but it’s also about maintaining a comfortable temperature all year round without the sole reliance on an air conditioner, which is costly and consumes a large amount of energy. During our long, humid summers, maintaining a stable climate inside your home will prevent mold and provide a healthy environment for inhabitants.
Passivhaus is a ‘brand’
No, Passivhaus is not a brand, it is a rigorous standard that has been developed and based on scientific research and testing (Australian Passivhaus Association, 2025). It is a quality assurance standard for the energy efficiency of buildings and was developed in Darmstadt, Germany by the Passivhaus Institute (PHI). There are five key performance criteria for Passivhaus, and they relate to: Heating Demand, Heating Load, Cooling Demand, Primary Energy Renewable demand and Airtightness.
You can’t open the windows
Yes, the building is airtight but by no means are you restricted from opening the windows and naturally ventilating your house on a desirable day. There is a heat-recovery ventilation system (HRV) installed for when outside conditions are less than ideal, otherwise, windows can be opened, and the house can be ventilated as you wish.
Having flexibility is the real win with Passivhaus, as during times of high pollen or smoke pollution, you can close the house and continue to breathe in clean, healthy air. PM2.5 and PM10 particles are airborne during these times and can enter your lungs and bloodstream causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems from prolonged exposure. The ability to close your house and retain clean, healthy air is a great feature of Passivhaus home.
- Sapling, Certified Passivhaus Premium, Anderson Architecture, 2024
It is overly expensive and complicated
As one of many environmental initiatives labelled ‘too expensive’, it is the initial upfront cost that saves you running costs into the future. As current trends suggest, electricity costs will only continue to grow as Australia’s grid transitions, so Passivhaus will allow you to sit comfortably in an energy-efficient house that generates and stores the power you need. Further, Australian standards are changing and so are building attitudes; more architects and builders are becoming aware and competent in this space, and hopefully soon these ideas will be integrated into conventional construction methods.
2. Pocket Passiv, Certified Passivhaus Plus, Anderson Architecture, 2023
Passivhaus in Australia; Bushfires, Beaches and Off-Grid Living
Australia has an array of harsh coastal environments and beautiful landscapes surrounded by bush which all pair well with Passivhaus Principles. Whether you are living on the coast or in bushfire-prone land Passivhaus is adaptable to all conditions. A home that is sealed and airtight is also highly resistant to embers and smoke, which makes the home more resistant to the threat of bushfires.
Living more sustainably and reducing our reliance on the grid, is leading to our practice designing more homes that are ‘off-grid’. As we come to the end of another off-grid project, we have learned how building and designing off-grid pairs very well with Passivhaus Principles. This project is targeting Passivhaus Plus Certification, and through this process, we have learned that the reduced demand for heating and cooling thus reduces your requirement for battery storage. This means less power required and less power stored, another efficient solution.
3. Putty Off-Grid, Targeting Passivhaus Plus Certification, Anderson Architecture, 2025
References
- Australian Passivhaus Association, ‘Claiming and Promoting the Passivhaus Standard’, April 2025, https://www.passivhausassociation.com.au/news/coming-soon-claiming-the-passivhaus-standard
- Demystifying Passive House for Australian homes, Lunchbox Architect, 2025, https://www.lunchboxarchitect.com/blog/
Image Credits
- Tom Ferguson, 2023
- Tom Ferguson, 2024
- Simon Anderson, 2025