Do I need mechanical ventilation in a Passive House?

Yes. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is essential in a Passive House because the airtight envelope prevents uncontrolled air infiltration.

Yes. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is essential in a Passive House because the airtight envelope prevents uncontrolled air infiltration. MVHR provides continuous fresh air while recovering 75–95% of the heat from exhaust air. This is not a compromise — it provides better indoor air quality than naturally ventilated buildings (filtered, tempered fresh air with no draughts) while maintaining the energy performance required for certification.

Why this matters

This question relates to Passive House Timber Construction: Achieving U-Values Below 0.15, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Passive House Timber Construction: Achieving U-Values Below 0.15

Related questions

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About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.