How to Live In a Passive House

Living in a Passive House: Comfort Without the Hassle

Most New Zealanders know the drill with a traditional timber-framed home: heavy curtains in winter, heaters blasting in one room while the rest stays cold, battling condensation on windows, and the constant juggle of when to open or close windows to stop drafts. Comfort often feels like work.

A Passive House flips that script. It’s designed to do the hard work for you. With airtight construction, high-performance windows, and smart ventilation, a Passive House keeps temperatures steady and the air fresh — year-round, with very little input from you.

Instead of fighting damp air and wasted heat, the ventilation system quietly runs in the background, keeping the home healthy and comfortable without chewing through power. In winter, sunlight streaming through your windows provides free warmth. In summer, a simple routine of shading during the day and opening windows at night locks in cool, fresh air by morning.

Heating? You’ll barely need it. The design holds warmth so effectively that a small top-up is often enough, even on frosty mornings. Everyday life feels easier too: drying clothes indoors is no problem when the ventilation handles moisture, and you’ll spend less time worrying about maintenance — just swap filters occasionally and check seals when needed.

In short, living in a Passive House isn’t about extra effort. It’s about less. Less fiddling with heaters, less condensation, less stress. More comfort, more health, and more time enjoying your home the way it was meant to be lived in — naturally.

Quick Seasonal Checklist

Winter – Day

• Curtains/blinds open to welcome sunlight

• Windows closed, ventilation left running

• Small heating top-up if needed

Winter – Night

• Curtains/blinds closed to keep warmth in

• Windows closed, ventilation running

Summer – Day

• Use shading (blinds, awnings, or trees)

• Windows mostly closed, ventilation running

Summer – Evening/Night

• Open windows to bring in cool air

• Close them again in the morning to lock in comfort

Want to Learn More?

If you’d like to explore building or living in a Passive House — or just want tips to get the best from your home — our team at Formance are here to help.