From Heat Traps full of PM2.5 to Cool Havens with filtered fresh air supply: Transforming Thailand's Homes with Passive House Solutions
Climate Change, Extreme Weather and Rises Heat
In Thailand's tropical climate, things are heating up – literally. Thanks to global warming, our urban areas are like sponges, soaking up heat during the day and releasing it at night. Remember when nights used to cool down? Now, it feels like the heat's here to stay.
And those air conditioners? They're working overtime, pushing out even more heat as they try to keep us cool inside. It's a vicious cycle that's not just tough on our energy bills, but on the environment too.
Dust Pollution and PM2.5
Then there's PM2.5 pollution – a real headache. With more vehicles and construction sites popping up, and the old tradition of burning agricultural waste, our air quality's taking a hit.
Is there a solution to this madness?
But here's where the Passive House swoops in like a hero. It's all about using less energy to keep things comfy indoors. With solid insulation and smart ventilation, it's like having your own little oasis from the pollution and the heat outside.
So, while Thailand's facing some big challenges, the Passive House is like a cool breeze in the midst of it all – offering comfort, sustainability, and a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.
The good news is, you don't necessarily need to start from scratch to achieve top-notch building performance. In fact, you can upgrade your existing home to enhance comfort and energy efficiency with just a few strategic steps.
Enter the EnerPHit standard
Courtesy of the Passive House Institute, it's designed specifically for retrofit projects, aiming to elevate your home's performance to Passive House levels without the need for a ground-up rebuild.
The folks at the Passive House Institute get it – retrofitting isn't always as straightforward as starting fresh. That's why they've tailored the EnerPHit standard to address the unique challenges of retrofitting, making the process smoother and more achievable.
There are 2 paths to achieve EnerPHit standard first is energy demand method where the heating or cooling demand or loads need to meet a standard, second is building component method.
No matter which path taken there is significant energy saving between 75 and 90% compared to un refurbished and non-Passive refurbishments (source: Passipedia)
The component method: U-value requirements for EnerPHit components are categorised by the climate zone of the building.
With the EnerPHit standard guiding your retrofit journey, you can transform your existing home into a haven of comfort and sustainability, one step at a time.
Methin Wongcharupan is a certified Passive House Designer and a Registered Architect in both New Zealand and Thailand. With expertise in Passive House design and a deep understanding of diverse cultural contexts, Methin brings a unique perspective to every project, prioritizing energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Additionally, Methin can provide energy or retrofit consulting for your next project either in Thailand or in New Zealand.
