Passive Home Building: What is it?
Passive home building is an energy-efficient design and construction method that is becoming increasingly popular.
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From green appliances to electric cars, Americans are becoming more environmentally conscious. The good news is sustainability can be incorporated into nearly all facets of life, even into the design and construction of all types of buildings. While LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used set of green building standards in commercial construction, another green method is growing in popularity for residential construction—passive home building.
So what exactly is passive home building, and how can you benefit from it? Read on to find out more.
What is Passive Home Building?
Passive home building utilizes the principles of Passive House, an energy standard that drastically reduces energy consumption while providing maximum comfort. According to the Passive House Institute US, Inc. (PHIUS), a nonprofit focused on research, training, and technical standards, "passive building comprises a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency within a specific, quantifiable comfort level." Simply put, it is a better way to build.
Although Passive House principles can be applied to nearly any type of building, it is commonly used in residential construction. The five principles of Passive House include:
- super-insulated envelopes;
- airtight construction;
- high-performance glazing;
- thermal-bridge-free detailing; and
- heat recovery ventilation/energy recovery ventilation.
What are the Benefits of Passive Home Building?
Passive home building offers numerous benefits to homeowners, including:
- a reduction in heating and cooling demand up to approximately 90%;
- decreased carbon footprint;
- lower utility bills;
- increased indoor air quality;
- improved efficiency; and
- a high level of comfort.
Considering Passive Home Building?
If passive home building is something you would like to incorporate into the design and construction of your next home, consider our team at Design Build Architects. As a Certified Passive House Builder, we have the skill and knowledge to ensure your home meets the Passive House standards.
Even if obtaining Passive House certification isn't your goal, at Design Build Architects, we always strive to design and build homes that are energy-efficient, durable, and most of all comfortable. Contact us today to find out how our team of professionals can assist you from initial budgeting and design through construction completion.