Passive House

Passive House is the most comfortable, economical and energy efficient building standard in the world. It aims to reduce energy in buildings by up to 90% while providing superior comfort and indoor environmental quality. It successfully insulates owners from ongoing utility costs with measurable performance.

When combined with renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic or solar thermal, Passive House puts true zero energy buildings and carbon neutrality within reach, making it the leapfrog approach.

The name Passive House is derived from the German term “Passivhaus”, which describes a building that is predominantly heated by “passive” means, such as passive solar, or internal heat gains, versus a “conventional” building, which is typically heated by large, “active” mechanical systems.

Passive House Explained in 90 Seconds from Hans-Jörn Eich on Vimeo.

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The Basic Concept

The basic Passive House concept revolves around 5 principles:

• Insulation: Generally double, or more what local building code prescribes
• Passive House windows: Generally triple-pane, insulated frame, multi-casketed and at a level twice, to three times code standard and in cold climates, with up to twice the solar heat gain
• Ventilation with heat recovery: Continuous mechanical ventilation as the lungs of the building to provide 24/7/365 filtered outside air while exhausting kitchens and bathrooms
• Airtightness: Five times tighter than Minnesota code requires to eliminate pesky leaks into assemblies and related building science problems
• Thermal bridge-free design: Thoughtful detailing that eliminates super highways for heat loss, or heat gain through the building envelope, and related building science problems

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Local Examples

Some of the first Passive House projects in North America can be found in Minnesota and the Midwest.

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The Road to a Sustainable Future

Energy Conservation First

Heating a building by passive means is made possible by a pragmatic “energy conservation first” approach. The basic idea is to radically minimize heat loss through effective heat retention (insulation), and maximize free, passive solar and internal heat gains. In our local very cold climate, the sun can provide up to 50%, or more of the energy needed to heat a Passive House. Internal heat gains provide an additional 15%, making a traditional heating system with furnace or boiler obsolete.

Gas Mileage for Buildings

The Passive House building energy standard introduces a gas mileage for buildings. It is measured in kWh per square meter and year globally, and kBtu per square foot and year in the U.S. The limit for heating and cooling energy is 15 kWh , or 4.75 kBtu—a reduction of up to 90% over conventional buildings. Source energy accounted for at the utility company is limited to 120 kWh per square meter and year, or 38 kBtu per square foot and year. This represents on average an 80% reduction.

For its leapfrog approach to building and outstanding performance, the European Union is now implementing Passive House performance as code for its member countries.

Predictable Performance

Designs are modeled with a scientific energy modeling software called the “Passive House Planning Package”, and field-tested for various parameters during and after construction. Design and field testing are submitted to a Passive House certifier for review and building certification. Using the PHPP enables us to deliver predictable performance to our clients, which clearly sets us apart from the competition.

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EnerPHit: Passive House Retrofitting for Existing Buildings

A comprehensive retrofit project aims to provide you with lower utility bills, a significantly reduced energy footprint, much more comfort, better indoor environmental quality, more durability and less maintenance in a functional and beautiful environment.

An EnerPHit building is typically about 5 times more energy efficient than a conventionally built new home.  Because the standard targets the existing housing stock, it’s entirely possible that a remodeled home will perform at 10 times its previous efficiency. EnerPHit is the official retrofit standard introduced by the Passive House Institute.

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Certified Passive House Designers, Consultants and Tradespeople

The Passive House Standard is the most rigorous building energy standard in the world. Consultants, projects or building components that have obtained the right to carry the logo have committed themselves to design excellence and the Passive House energy performance criteria.

Learn more about the various certifications on the Passive House Institute’s website.

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Passive House and Other Building Standards

Passive House is very complimentary and generally plays very well with building codes and standards, as well as other programs such as ASHRAE, LEED, Architecture 2030, Living Building Challenge to name only a few. Learn more at the link to the “Passive House & Code, Ashrae and other Green Standards” presentation from the 2022 Duluth Energy Design Conference.