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WHY PASSIVE HOUSE?

​Are you looking for a space designed to withstand extreme weather?

Do you want your home to be free of dust, moisture, bugs, mold, and allergens?

Would you love a quiet space blocking noise from the outside world?

How about a home consistently delivering fresh air while filtering out allergens, pollution, and even wildfire smoke?
 
Would you like to learn about the benefits of Passive House and the building science behind it?

We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery.
Typical desitn features in a passive house, including continuous insulation, thermal bridge free design, continuous air barrier, high-performance window, and ERV/ HRV

Passive House is the highest building performance standard that prioritizes energy efficiency while providing superior indoor comfort and air quality.

By focusing on meticulous design and construction techniques, Passive Houses dramatically reduce the need for heating and cooling, resulting in lower energy consumption and a more comfortable living environment.

 

This approach integrates well-insulated building envelopes, airtight construction, and high-performance windows to create a space that’s not only eco-friendly but also incredibly resilient.

WHAT IS PASSIVE HOUSE?

“If the buildings consume very little energy, then this low energy demand can easily be met through renewable energy.”          
  - Dr. Wolfgang Feist, Founder of Passive House Institute
Using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), we can assess a home's energy efficiency relative to a similar reference home; with lower scores indicate higher efficiency.  A Passive House is at least 70% more efficient than a contemporary home (HERS 100) and can achieve net-zero energy (HERS 0) with renewable sources like PV.

Using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), we can assess a home's energy efficiency relative to a similar reference home, with lower scores indicating higher efficiency.

A Passive House is at least 70% more efficient than a contemporary home (HERS 100) and can achieve net-zero energy (HERS 0) with renewable sources like PV.

EXTREMELY EFFICIENT

“The Passive House standard is the best way to future-proof buildings and make them climate-resilient.”
To attain Passive House certification, buildings must reduce energy usage for heating and cooling, measured either in annual demand or peak load. Passive House certification requires minimizing total operation energy usage and peak loads, thus reducing carbon emissions. To ensure building durability, quality construction, and energy efficiency, achieving high airtightness through blower door testing is crucial. This, along with effective ventilation, enhances indoor air quality.

PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

A thermal bridge is any building element that allows heat or cool to bypass a building’s thermal barrier. A thermal bridge increase thermal transmittance through an otherwise insulated layer, risking condensation that can result in rot, corrosion, and mold. Thermal bridge-free design avoids this moisture risk and makes buildings more durable.
Airtight construction protects building assemblies from moisture intrusion by preventing bulk water from driving in or airborne vapor from being carried in. By stopping air movement across the building envelope, the air barrier seals conditioned air inside. This is key to achieving ultra-low energy use, since air leakage represents wasted energy
Preventing bulk water intrusion with well-designed and installed weather resistive barrier (WRB). Avoid condensation that could potentially damage building structures with air barriers, vapor control layers, and more.
WUFI Passive hygrothermal analysis
Passive house utilize ERV or HRV to deliver filtered fresh air, extract indoor pollutants, while transfer moisture and heat between the exhaust airstream and the incoming airstream.
Mechanical Duct and Ventilation System
Passive Solar Design using shade to manage heat gain and optimize daylighting potential.
Opening and shad study during schematic design phase
Building orientation and form factor plays key roles in energy performance and daylighting.
Form and Orientation Study in Rhino
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