Most people associate passive house, high performance, and net zero with energy goals for your building. But Passive House buildings are so much more! By following the building standard, you can create a higher quality space that focuses on occupant well-being and comfort and many more non-quantifiable benefits.
This passive house near Goderich is currently being constructed. Its challenge was that the view to the river was not south. So, we had to balance window placements to mitigate overheating and passive heat. It will have a sunroom that faces the south courtyard and buffers the interior spaces.
Significant Energy Savings:
- Passive House design principles can result in up to 30% less energy consumption than conventional modern buildings. This is achieved through excellent insulation, airtight construction, and high-efficiency mechanical systems. (credits: Passive House Canada)
Lower Utility Bills:
- Due to their energy efficiency, Passive House homes generally have much lower energy bills, which can save homeowners money in the long run. As much as 30% or more in bill savings.
Environmental Sustainability:
- Passive House homes help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing energy consumption. They are an environmentally friendly choice and contribute to combatting climate change.
- Many of our clients choose low-carbon or carbon-neutral materials to reduce not just the energy use of the life of the building but also the energy involved in making materials used to construct the house. These are choices like wool or recycled fabric insulation, or reduced concrete (very high energy required to make concrete)
Superior Indoor Comfort:
- Passive House buildings are designed to maintain consistent and comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. They have excellent thermal comfort, with no drafts or cold spots. This is done with proper indoor air distribution.
Although not a passive house, this cozy barn conversion is high-performance with R50 walls! The fireplace places the needed heat close to the occupants for comfort.
Excellent Indoor Air Quality:
- A ventilation system with heat recovery ensures a constant supply of fresh, filtered air. This helps maintain high indoor air quality, reducing allergens and pollutants, and improving health. Passive house HVAC systems require slow fresh air to be delivered all the time, rather than only sometimes base don heating and furnace run times.
Durability:
- The construction methods used in Passive House homes often result in higher-quality building materials and construction techniques. This can lead to increased durability and longer building lifespans.
Sound Insulation:
- Passive House designs often include thicker walls and high-quality windows and doors, which can provide superior sound insulation, reducing noise from the outside. The air tightness of the building envelope also helps reduce outside noise, making for quiet peaceful spaces.
The large overhangs protect the windows in the summer. The window wall faces southwest.
Resilience:
- Passive House homes are well-insulated and airtight, making them more resilient to extreme weather conditions, including cold winters and hot summers. I love it in the winter when it is -20 degrees or more outside and the sun shines deep into my House (Barn House 1). Providing us with free heat! In the heat of the summer, we utilize natural ventilation along with the HVAC system to flush the house without the need for Air Conditioning, which is a very high energy user.
Future-Proofing:
- As energy codes and regulations become more stringent, Passive House homes are already designed to meet or exceed many of these requirements. This makes them a wise investment for the future. Many passive houses also rely on natural systems, such as free solar heating, thermal mass to store heat and coolth, and natural ventilation, resulting in disaster-proofing in emergencies.
Higher Property Values:
- Due to their energy efficiency and comfortable living conditions, Passive House homes can have higher property values and can be easier to sell.
Health Benefits:
- The superior indoor air quality and comfortable living conditions can have positive effects on the health and well-being of the occupants.
- This can lead to reduced sick days and overall improved quality of life. Passive houses also tend to have great daylighting in all seasons, especially winter, helping those with seasonal effect disorder. The sunrise shines in through the windows of Barn House 1 house across the whole width, deep into all the spaces!
Barn House 1 is orientated cardinally. Therefore, the spring equinox shines deep into the house with a beautiful red glow. It warms the soul! There are also other moments of sunrise light deep into the house due to the cardinal orientation and placement of windows.
Adaptability:
- Passive House design principles can be applied to various building types, from single-family homes to multi-family buildings, schools, offices, and more.
- This adaptability makes it a versatile approach to sustainable construction.
- Using the Passive House modeling software is all about balancing the various criteria to meet the energy standards, R-value, south windows, HVAC equipment efficiency, building form, orientation, air tightness, window quality, etc.
It's worth noting that achieving the Passive House standard may involve higher upfront construction costs, but the long-term savings in energy and maintenance costs, along with the environmental and health benefits, often make it a sound investment for both homeowners and the environment.