Passive Homes Edinburgh

A Passive House (Passivhaus) is an ultra-energy-efficient building standard that reduces heating and cooling needs by up to 90%. It uses superior insulation, airtight construction, high-performance windows, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round with minimal energy use.

Passive Houses typically reduce energy bills by 75-90% compared to standard homes. While construction costs are 5-10% higher, the energy savings quickly offset this, and you benefit from exceptional comfort, air quality, and long-term value.

Absolutely. Passive House design is ideal for Edinburgh's climate, providing excellent thermal comfort in both winter and summer. The superior insulation and airtightness keep homes warm in winter while preventing overheating in summer.

Key features include exceptional insulation (300mm+ walls), triple-glazed windows, airtight construction, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), thermal bridge-free design, and south-facing orientation to maximize solar gain.

Yes, our team includes Certified Passive House Designers and Tradespeople. We follow strict Passivhaus standards and work with PHPP software to ensure your home achieves certification and delivers the promised performance.

Passive House construction in Edinburgh costs approximately 5-10% more than standard new builds — roughly £2,200–£3,200 per square metre in 2025. However, the additional upfront investment is quickly recovered through 75-90% energy savings. A typical 150m² Passive House costs £330,000–£480,000 to build and can reduce annual heating bills to under £200.

Passive Houses work exceptionally well in all Edinburgh areas and surrounding regions. South-facing plots in Morningside, Bruntsfield, Newington, and Grange maximise solar gain. Rural plots in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, and Ratho offer optimal orientation freedom. We also build Passivhaus homes in Musselburgh, Bonnyrigg, Penicuik, and across the Lothians where site conditions allow for superior design flexibility.

Absolutely. Passivhaus is a performance standard, not an architectural style. We design Passive Houses in Victorian, Georgian, Arts & Crafts, contemporary, Scandinavian, and minimalist styles. The internal performance features — triple glazing, airtightness, MVHR — are hidden within the design, so the exterior can reflect any aesthetic you choose while delivering world-class energy efficiency.