petWALK doors are perfect for modern low-energy buildings with controlled living space ventilation, as they close airtight and provide excellent thermal insulation by default. petWALK pet doors meet all requirements for passive house components, offering a standard U-value of 0.811 W/(m²K) and an optional frame insulation value as low as 0.523 W/(m²K).
They are completely air-tight (n600 = 0.0 m³/h, Class 4 according to the test standard for windows and doors EN 12207 – 1999–11) and rainproof (Class E1350 according to the test standard for windows and doors EN 12208 – 1999–11).
In our In the download area you will find all the relevant planning and calculation information, including thermal bridge calculations and installation details. Here, you can also access certificates and test reports from the Austrian Wood Research Institute.
Wind and Weatherproof
In contrast to conventional cat or dog flaps, petWALK pet doors are 100% airtight. This ensures complete freedom from drafts and maintains a comfortable warmth inside your home, making them the only suitable solution for buildings with controlled living space ventilation.
Water Stop!
petWALK pet doors remain reliably waterproof even in the heaviest rain. The thermal bridge-free construction prevents condensation and thus eliminates the risk of harmful mold growth.
Noise & Dust Stay Outside
Thanks to their solid construction and tight closure, petWALK doors effectively keep noise and dust at bay.
How a Passive House Works
A passive house is a building that, due to its excellent thermal insulation, requires no conventional heating or cooling in both winter and summer. These houses are called "passive" because the majority of their heat demand is met by "passive" sources such as sunlight and waste heat from occupants and appliances. The result is a pleasant indoor environment coupled with low energy consumption. This construction method is not limited to specific types of buildings; it is also achievable through renovations and conversions. (Source: Wikipedia)
In Austria, the passive house standard is established in the building regulations H 5055 Energy Certificate for Buildings, which is binding for all buildings. For energy-saving houses rated A++, the guideline value for heating demand is <=10 kWh/m². Additionally, the passive house standard is also incorporated into the newer klima
building standard, where the criteria catalog is based on approximately 60% of the PPHP standard set by the Passive House Institute in Darmstadt. This concept is outlined in the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), which defines the following basic conditions:
- Maximum energy value for heating: 15 kWh/(m²a) or heating load: 10 W/m²
- Pressure test air change n50: max. 0.6 h⁻¹
- Maximum energy index for total primary energy: 120 kWh/(m²a), including household electricity
The PHPP concept consists of an extensive criteria catalog. Based on these general conditions, the institute certifies buildings with the Quality-Tested PASSIVHAUS Dr. Wolfgang Feist label.
Why Good Thermal Insulation is So Important
Due to the rising energy prices over the last few years and the ecological challenges caused by human activity, good building insulation is becoming increasingly important for most of us. However, many pet owners have faced significant insulation weaknesses in their homes when allowing their four-legged friends unhindered access to the garden. A conventional cat flap or dog flap made of hard plastic has no insulating properties and, from a building physics perspective, creates a hole in your house, known as a cold or heat bridge.
petWALK pet doors have a U-value of less than 0.7 W/m² in the passive house variant, providing the same thermal insulation properties as passive house windows. They do not present any weak points in the thermal insulation, allowing you to save over 500 kWh in energy costs for your home each year.
Climate Protection Through Airtight Animal Doors
By installing airtight and heat-insulating pet doors, it is theoretically possible to save up to 3 million tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to the average CO2 emissions of nearly 3,500 small cars. This reduces the CO2 “paw print” per pet by approximately 11%. The additional cost of such a solution is more than compensated for by the energy cost savings achieved.
- For 10 million homes in the target countries (AT, DE, CH, UK, FR, IT, NL, BE, SE, NO, FL, US, CA) with animal flaps, there is an estimated savings of at least 500 kWh/a per flap per house * 0.55 kg CO2/kWh (average energy source).
- Basic calculation of CO2 emissions per cat per annum: 1,000 kg from food, 1,250 kg from waste, and 275 kg from the cat flap.
