Article: Japan's first Passive House In the last 10 years more
than 15,000 buildings in Europe, from single family residences
to entire factories, have been built or remodeled to the passive
house standard. This means that, among other factors, these
structures use 90% less energy, and it’s done, for the most
part, by simply better utilizing the natural resources of the
surrounding environment. To begin with, a passive house is
virtually airtight. It’s also equipped with an energy recovery
ventilator that provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply,
minimizing energy losses and providing top rate indoor air
quality. Furthermore, instead of relying on active systems to
bring a building to zero energy, passive houses use natural
resources like sunlight, for example, and apply them
efficiently. Buildings that meet the passive house standard are
popping up all over the world, but only recently has Japan
finally built their very first passive house in Kamakura, a
small city 30 miles from Tokyo.