Solutions for both new builds and retrofits on display at the 16th International Passive House Conference - the largest international conference on energy efficient construction DARMSTADT and HANNOVER, Germany, April 12, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- We cannot sustainably keep pace with the world's continuously growing hunger for energy if we continue along our current path. Especially in the building sector, however, there exists an enormous potential for energy savings where we can reduce energy use by 80 to 90% without any reduction in comfort. Countries around the world are realising this. Only "Net zero energy buildings" will be built in South Korea and California as of 2020 and throughout Europe, all new builds will have to be constructed as "nearly zero energy buildings" by 2020. Europe's future energy efficiency directive also calls for high annual retrofit rates of public building stock. For all these new efficiency standards, Passive House forms the basis for proven and cost-effective building and retrofitting. As such, Passive House presents a key opportunity for designers, decision makers and, indeed, the entire the construction sector - a fact that will be made clear at the Passive House Conference in Hanover. What are the key criteria for sustainable construction? Is energy efficiency even the right approach? How can we assess embodied energy (production energy)? The 16th International Passive House Conference, to be held in Hanover, Germany, on 4 and 5 May 2012, will focus on these and other similar questions. The Conference, organised by the Passive House Institute and proklima, will also offer an extensive programme of side events such as introductory courses, a forum for tradespeople and several excursions to Passive House buildings in the Hanover region. At the Passive House Exhibition taking place parallel to the Conference, over a hundred exhibitors will present their products and solutions for Passive House new builds and retrofits.
