Passive House Methodology: The Five Principles of High-Performance Homes

Passive House is a building methodology grounded in proven building science. It’s not a style, trend, or marketing term — it’s a standard designed to deliver measurable performance in comfort, energy use, and resilience. At its core are five principles that work together to cut energy demand and create a stable, healthy indoor environment year after year.

For homeowners seeking clarity, sustainability, and a home that performs as well in 20 years as it does on day one, Passive House offers a framework that’s both practical and inspiring. At Sanus Build, these principles guide many of our projects — whether a client is pursuing formal certification or simply wants the benefits of Passive House thinking without the paperwork.

Why Passive House?

Most homes are reactive. They rely on air conditioning and ventilation to correct heat, cold, noise, or stale air after the fact. Passive House turns that equation around.

In a world of rising energy costs and unpredictable weather extremes, the value of a building that regulates itself — with minimal mechanical input and low running costs — is growing fast.

A Passive House isn’t just energy-efficient. It’s resilient in heatwaves. Quiet and calm in storms. Consistent through every season. When done properly, a Passive House can reduce heating and cooling demand by 60–80% compared to typical construction — without sacrificing lifestyle or design intent.

The Five Principles:

Passive House is built on five core principles — simple to explain, powerful in effect.

1. Airtightness:

Uncontrolled air leaks waste energy, cause moisture problems, carry noise, and undermine comfort. Airtight construction stops this — not just with tape and sealant, but through precision detailing, sequencing, and oversight. On certified Passive House projects, airtightness is measured with blower door testing and must achieve less than 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50).

2. Thermal Insulation

Insulation only works if it’s continuous — in the walls, roof, and slab. Measured by R-value (resistance to heat flow), it slows temperature transfer, keeps indoor conditions stable, and allows smaller, more efficient systems to heat and cool the home.

3. High-Performance Windows

Windows are a critical part of the building envelope. In Passive House, glazing is chosen for U-value (heat transfer rate), orientation, and airtight installation. The result is thermal consistency, solar control, and a quieter, more comfortable interior.

4. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)

Instead of relying on uncontrolled drafts for ventilation, Passive House uses MVHR systems to bring in fresh, filtered air and recover warmth from outgoing air. This improves indoor air quality, manages humidity, and lowers energy demand — unlike standard exhaust fans, which throw out conditioned air without reclaiming its energy.

5. Thermal Bridge-Free Construction

Anywhere insulation is broken or structure meets surface, heat can escape — creating “thermal bridges.” Passive House design eliminates these weak points with careful detailing and sequencing to maintain continuity. This means fewer cold spots, less condensation, and a stronger, more resilient building envelope.

Passive House at Wetland, North Perth:

Wetland — our show home in North Perth — is proof of how Passive House principles translate into daily living.

This inner-city infill home was designed with a biophilic architectural approach that connects structure with landscape and light, while shielding occupants from external climate extremes to maintain a stable 23°C year-round. Every detail was chosen for comfort and performance — from continuous insulation to the lime-rendered timber frame.

Key Passive House strategies include:

• Superior insulation to walls, roof, and slab for year-round thermal stability

• Airtight detailing throughout the envelope

• Double-glazed windows and doors for energy retention and quiet comfort

• Custom commercial double-glazed skylights for natural light without heat loss

• MVHR system built discreetly into the vented roof cavity for fresh, filtered air

• Minimised thermal bridging, with sequencing planned to maintain insulation continuity

• A solar array, efficient heat pump, and carefully sized split system supporting the home’s energy profile — resulting in 48% less energy use than the WA average (based on our in-house energy consumption data)

Even without formal certification, Wetland achieves Passive House performance. More importantly, it feels like it: calm, consistent, breathable, and comfortable — no matter the weather outside.

How Sanus Build Delivers Passive Performance

We are Passive House Tradesperson Certified through the Australian Passive House Association. But certification alone isn’t enough — performance only happens when building science is executed with precision.

Our approach starts before the slab is poured:

• Reviewing solar orientation, shading, and envelope strategies at the design stage

• Maintaining airtightness, thermal detailing, and envelope continuity through build sequencing

• Specifying insulation, glazing, ventilation, and heating/cooling systems for passive-first performance

• Ensuring results are measurable, repeatable, and built to last

Whether a client wants full Passive House certification or simply the benefits of its principles, we deliver performance without compromising buildability or budget alignment.

Living the Difference — A First-Hand View

We often hear the claim: “It doesn’t matter how high-performing a house is if the occupants don’t operate it correctly.” This is simply not true.

Natalie Dean, co-owner of Wetland, North Perth, shares her lived experience:

“I lived in rentals for decades. My parents built two double-brick homes during my childhood. I thought I knew what a comfortable home felt like — until I lived in one built to Passive House methods.The first surprise was the stillness: no drafts, no hot-and-cold swings. The slab stays naturally warm, and the temperature is stable without opening a door unless I want to. The air is always fresh and filtered, with extractors quietly removing stale or moisture-heavy air from the bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen. That means dry towels, warm bones, and comfort I didn’t think was possible. The second surprise was how little it takes to maintain it. Each night, I check the temperature — it’s 22° - 24°C. Just an hour from the heater is enough to warm the entire home, and often I don’t need it at all thanks to residual heat from everyday living. In summer, it’s the reverse: no air conditioning required, just fans to circulate the cooler air. The HRV system needs no more attention than an air conditioner and works quietly in the background. The biggest realisation? Comfort like this isn’t luck — it’s building science. It’s measurable, repeatable, and it should be standard. The technology exists. The methods are proven. The only barrier is choosing to build better.”

Is Passive House Worth It?

For many clients — especially those building a long-term home — the answer is yes.

Passive House means lower energy bills, better health, and a home that stays comfortable without constant adjustment. While the upfront investment may be higher, lifecycle savings and resilience to future energy costs make it a strong, future-proof choice.

Interested in seeing the results of a blower door test on Wetland? Comment below and join the conversation.

Thinking about a Passive House for your build? We’re certified, experienced, and ready to help you make it happen. Reach out at info@sanusbuild.com.