Component Award proves passive house windows are profitable

In the wood category, the joint first place winners are the Slovenian manufacturer M Sora for their Natura Optimo XL window and the German window company Pfeffer for their Pfeffer RPS window. The Holz-2-Holz window by Freisinger-Optiwin of Austria took second place. In the wood/aluminium category, the Smartwin Compact by Lorber-pro Passivhausfenster of Austria and the Futura by Bieber-Optiwin of France came in on top, followed by Freisinger-Optiwin again, this time with the Alu-2-Holz window.

The first prize in the PVC category went to German producer Hilzinger FBS GmbH for their VADB-Plus 550 window. The Pural eco 90 by Pural GmbH and the Frame 90 WI by Raico, both from Germany, were the winners in the aluminium category. Special prizes went to German producers Passivhaus Transfer (dHPt), for their Delta Plus Cold Climate window (wood/fibreglass, synthetics), Wiegand Fensterbau, for the glazing set in the DW-plus systems (innovative glazing), and Pazen Fenster + Technik, for their ENERsign arctis (lowest heat losses).

"We are delighted at the level of active participation in the competition and congratulate the winners," said Dr Wolfgang Feist, scientific director of the Passive House Institute – organiser of the Component Award competition. A total of 41 entries made it clear that passive house windows can be very attractive financially for building owners. "Overall cost savings of more than 25 percent, spread over the life span of the winning products, are possible. With passive house quality products, the energy revolution becomes not only affordable, but even profitable."

"Energy efficient, high quality components are an essential building block for the success of passive house. It is important that these products provide not only convenience and comfort, but also economic advantages. We have proven this with this award," says Dr Benjamin Krick, head of component certification at the Passive House Institute.

The prizes will be presented by Dr Feist at the Eurogress in Aachen. Many of the prize-winning windows will be exhibited by the manufacturers at the accompanying component exhibition which will take place from 25 to 26 April 2014, parallel to the International Passive House Conference. Further information can be found online on: www.passivehouseconference.org