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This paper examines experiences with the diffusion of the passive house concept, applied to the situation of ‘emerging’ countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. Adopter categories considering the passive house concept are defined. A marketing study based on Rogers’ theory of diffusion of innovations highlights the characteristics of actors leading to technological and process innovation. The paper draws conclusions on the preferred role of passive house networks.

Deze studie onderzocht de bewonerservaringen van 21 sociale huurders in seriematig gebouwde passiefwoningen in Nederland. Gegevens werden verzameld over de bewoners, hun motivatie om te kiezen voor hun woning, hun algemene tevredenheid met de woning en hun tevredenheid met het comfort, de klimaatregeling, het ventilatie-onderhoud en de informatieverstrekking. Deze gegevens werden geanalyseerd rekening houdend met het door de bewoners genoteerde gedrag in winter- en zomersituaties. De bewoners bleken over het algemeen tevreden te zijn, maar klaagden wel met name over koude slaapkamers. Tevens was er relatief lage tevredenheid over het ventilatiesysteem en de informatieverstrekking. De studie vond dat geluid en tocht ontwerpmatig meer aandacht verdienen en dat de verstrekking van informatie kan worden verbeterd, bijvoorbeeld over het gebruik van het ventilatiesysteem, het openen van luiken en de werking van PV panelen. Betere bewaking van prestatiecriteria werd aanbevolen voor toekomstige projecten.

This paper examines if and how indoor climate systems are important for passive house certification. The research subjects are passive houses in Belgium, occupied by owner-clients. These have received a quality assurance certificate from an independent organization. Through interviews with the owners, and on-site analysis of indoor climate installations in passive houses, the selection of indoor climate systems for passive houses was analyzed and insights were obtained in changes occurring after certification. Also, two houses were analyzed during further visits, including interviews and measurements, to allow detailed performance evaluation of the indoor climate systems. The paper concludes that adaptation of certification procedures is recommended, by looking more closely at the practical implementation of indoor climate systems. The paper further questions the general validity of the scientific basis of the passive house definition.

Europe now expects an evolution of the building sector towards „near zero energy‟ buildings. In Belgium, the passive house concept offers a feasible portal towards 0-energy developments. Meanwhile, for the major market of renovations, we still have to learn-by-doing what is achievable from demonstration projects. Different technological options and concepts (low energy, passive house, zero energy) to reduce the energy consumption have been analyzed in the framework of the Belgian Low Energy Housing Retrofit (LEHR) project. Based on the LEHR research, the paper discusses the Belgian context for 0-energy development, and the feasibility of achieving 0-energy renovations by means of the passive house concept in Belgium. We present a detailed case study and discuss results and lessons considering innovation adoption. The research detected possibilities and hindrances considering the market introduction and early adoption in Belgium of innovative technologies and concepts for reaching near zero energy renovations in Belgium.

In previous years we have seen a recognition of the significant potential that exists for reducing energy use through innovation in residential buildings. This study investigates innovation challenges and identifies opportunities that could lead to a rapid increase in the adoption of highly energy-efficient housing concepts, particularly that of the passive house. To this end, it exemplifies, interprets and develops the innovation adoption theory through an investigation of views and experiences on the supply side, the demand side and the policy side. It highlights successful innovation trajectories and barriers experienced by businesses. It addresses both problems and positive experiences from the perspective of the end user and investigates different policy approaches. As such, the research reveals important features of innovation-adoption strategies in the building sector. It shows how multi-player enterprise collaboration plays a key role, and the study also recommends the development of quality assurance schemes. It makes a valuable contribution to discussions about how active a role government policymakers and enterprise networks should play.

According to the popular definition, passive houses have to reach a target energy demand for heating less than 15 kWh per square meter and per year. This criterion is used as a basis for quality assurance procedures and certification of passive house projects. This paper identifies the experiences in several western European countries concerning passive house certification, and hence the control of quality of the design process, the construction process, and the post construction inspection and testing of passive houses. Certification and quality assurance initiatives from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the U.K. and Ireland are compared with preceding initiatives in Austria, Northern Italy, Switzerland and Germany. It is recognized that with the current state of the emerging passive house market, passive house verification is necessary on a project level, but that it is still difficult to introduce certification of actors and processes in many countries. An open market and competition for certification

Europe expects the housing sector to evolve towards ‘nearly zero-energy’ dwellings. Meanwhile, general terms and research, marketing and legal definitions considering such dwellings have already been introduced. Appraisal of existing definitions is now needed for further policy development. This paper examines what nearly zero-energy terms can be expected to be adopted in Belgium and the Netherlands. The research method uses an interview method based on innovation diffusion theory. The analysis traces the regional adoption trajectory of relevant definitions and examines the opportunities and barriers for the inclusion of existing definitions in regional energy policy. The analysis shows that—whilst international prominence of the terms ‘net zero energy’ and ‘net zero carbon’, in addition to ‘low energy’ and ‘passive house’, is observed—in Belgium and the Netherlands ‘passive house’ and ‘energy neutral’ are preferred. The research findings indicate that the adoption of already existing definitions for nearly zero-energy houses will depend on the region and can prove a very complex process with several conflicting issues. Terms should be clearly defined and used at all political and marketing levels. It is recommended to enhance the relative advantage, demonstrability, visibility and compatibility of favoured definitions by policy initiatives

According to the definition, passive houses in Europe meet a target energy demand for heating of less than 15 kWh per square meter and per year. This low level for the heating demand is based on heating by a small post-heater in the hygienic ventilation system at 52 0C maximum, while the ventilation system can be dimensioned purely for ventilation purposes. In theory thus the installed heating power is less than approximately 10 Watts/m2. But what happens in practice? The practical realization can be different from the definition and user experiences with indoor climate systems for passive houses may require further adaptations. Belgian example projects and the indoor climate systems in winter and in summer were studied. The study includes inspection of technical details and interviews with occupants of some passive houses in Belgium. The results illustrate the concerns of occupants considering winter and summer comfort in especially bedrooms, low air humidity creating respiratory problems and complex control of installations including temperature control. The research shows that occupants tend to prefer new adapted types of post-heating. Also, a good realization of (passive) cooling techniques is a very important issue in passive houses. The paper gives recommendations on how to improve the user friendliness of indoor climate systems for passive houses.