Passive House Institute

Energy efficient windows for retrofits receive Component Award

Winners to be honoured on 17 April at the International Passive House Conference in Leipzig

The main challenge in the Component Award 2015 for Passive House windows was that the product had to show a degree of flexibility since refurbishments are often carried out in a step-by-step manner. Ideal windows had to deliver excellent results during the transitional period as well as after the completion of all refurbishment measures. The cost effectiveness of the windows was assessed first and foremost, with a comparison of purchase costs with potential savings. However, the jury also considered practicability, innovation and aesthetics. The award will be presented on 17 April at the International Passive House Conference 2015 in Leipzig.

The joint first prize of the Component Award 2015 went to:
- "Smartwin Compact S" by Lorber / Pro Passivhausfenster (certificate )
- "System Connecta" by Optiwin (certificate )

Two third prizes went to:
- "Energeto 8000 view" by Aluplast (certificate )
- "Pural Eco 90" by Pural GmbH (certificate )

Special acknowledgements were given to:
- "DWplus Integral" by Wiegand (certificate )
- "Null-Fenster" by Fanzola (certificate )

A total of 30 windows were entered this year for the Component Award, which was organised by the Passive Institute. The scenario for the evaluation was an apartment block in which the windows were to be replaced in the year 2015 and for which renewal of the plaster, together with the application of thermal insulation, was planned for the year 2025. For this building, the participants had to provide a window with opening casements together with shading attachments. The costs for delivery and installation as well as any necessary work for offsetting of the window or reworking of the installation situation in the context of facade insulation in the year 2025 had to be included in the price. This year's competition is part of the EU-funded project EuroPHit.

Flyer Component Award 2015 ( pdf 219 KB)

The judging panel of the Component Award 2015:

Reinhold Kober, Editor-in-Chief, Glas, Fenster, Fassade
Dr. Benjamin Krick, Passive House Institute
Daniel Mund, Editor-in-Chief, Glaswelt
Adrian Muskatewitz, Passive House Institute
Dr. Francesco Nesi, Physicist, CEPHIR, EuroPHit
Peter Schober, M.Eng., Holzforschung Austria
Jakob Schoof, Editor, Detail
Dr. Burkard Schulze-Darup, Architect
Klaus Siegele, Editor, Gebäude-Energieberater
Dr. Rainer Vallentin, Architect

Minutes of the Component Award 2015 judging panel:

Contact person at the Passive House Institute:
Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Krick
benjamin.krick[at]passiv.de
Subject: Component Award 2015

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Sponsors of the Component Award 2015: