What is the core requirement of the Passive House standard?

• A. Ultra-low energy use with high insulation, airtight envelopes, and heat recovery ventilation
• B. Low energy use with standard insulation and ordinary ventilation
• C. High thermal mass with no insulation
• D. Maximum use of solar panels and wind turbines

Answer: (A)

The test focuses on how the Passive House system achieves ultra-low energy use by optimizing the building’s fabric and ventilation. The best description is that it requires ultra-low energy use achieved through high insulation, airtight envelopes, and heat recovery ventilation. This combination minimizes heat loss (the envelope is highly insulated and airtight) and recovers heat from exhaust air to pre-warm incoming air, so the indoor environment stays comfortable with very little energy required for heating or cooling.

The other ideas miss the essence: standard insulation with ordinary ventilation won’t meet the stringent energy targets set by Passive House; relying on high thermal mass without insulation leads to uncontrolled heat losses and poor performance; and focusing on solar panels or wind turbines emphasizes energy supply rather than reducing demand through building performance.