It sounds like the student homes on Boeselagerstrasse in Münster are not only visually striking with their primary color walls but also highly energy-efficient as they are designed as passive houses. Passive houses, or Passivhaus in German, are known for their exceptional energy efficiency and environmentally friendly features. They are designed to minimize energy consumption for heating and cooling, ensuring a comfortable living environment while significantly reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.
Some key features of passive houses include:
High Insulation: Passive houses have thick insulation in walls, roofs, and floors to minimize heat loss and maintain a stable indoor temperature.
Airtight Construction: These buildings are constructed with airtight materials and sealing to prevent drafts and maintain a consistent indoor climate.
High-Quality Windows and Doors: Triple-glazed windows and well-insulated doors are used to reduce heat loss and noise infiltration.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR): MVHR systems continuously circulate fresh air while recovering heat from outgoing stale air. This helps maintain air quality and reduces the need for traditional heating and cooling systems.
Thermal Bridge-Free Design: Thermal bridges, which are areas where heat can escape more easily, are eliminated or minimized in passive house designs.
Solar Gain: Passive houses often incorporate features like large south-facing windows to maximize natural sunlight and heat gain during the winter months.
Energy-Efficient Appliances: Energy-efficient appliances and lighting are commonly used to further reduce energy consumption.
The combination of these features allows passive houses to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with very little reliance on traditional heating and cooling systems. This results in significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
It’s impressive that the student residence on Boeselagerstrasse in Münster is the largest passive house residence for students in Europe. This not only provides students with an attractive and colorful living environment but also contributes to sustainability efforts by significantly lowering energy consumption.
