The primary intention of passive design is to create a thermally comfortable building with reduced demand on mechanical (active) forms of heating, air conditioning and ventilation. This paper provides design practitioners with a general overview of the techniques for maximising thermal performance of a house. It will also help to explain the benefits and operation of passive solar design to clients.
This note was first published as GEN 12 in February 1997. It was updated and republished as EDG 66 GC in February 2011, and republished with corrections in August 2012.