The use of Passive House components in refurbishments of existing buildings leads to extensive improvements with reference to thermal comfort, economic efficiency, absence of structural damage and climate protection. Reductions in heating energy demand of up to 90% have been achieved in a large number of projects.

Achieving the Passive House Standard in refurbishments of existing buildings is not always a realistic goal, one of the reasons being that basement walls remain as barely avoidable thermal bridges even after refurbishment.

For such buildings, the Passive House Institute has developed EnerPHit for certified energy retrofits with Passive House Components.