Maybe you’ve heard this term, “Passive House,” – maybe you haven’t! And, for those of you who don’t regularly geek out on building science, what does it mean to YOU? In short, a Passive House is a high-quality home that prioritizes health, comfort, and durability. Of course, it’s efficient too –reducing a home’s carbon consumption and energy bill, but equally important it’s quiet and low-maintenance. Let’s break down why.
Healthy: We all want to breathe clean, oxygen-rich air. Passive House buildings include systems that supply filtered fresh air and remove stale indoor air – keeping pollutants out. Here in the Northwest, we have to contend with wildfire smoke and have to ensure we can keep smokey air at bay. There are also better options for materials that have historically contained pollutants (carpets, insulation, flooring, paint, etc). We’ve got Passive House Certified crew who can help identify opportunities to implement these techniques and build towards Passive House standards!
Comfortable: In Passive House design, great windows, interior & exterior insulation, and strategic home positioning to maximize solar and shade, all work together to increase the comfort of your home. No draftiness or temperature variation from room to room, eliminating cold feet and drafty corners. The environment is quiet too! All of that insulation and those high-quality windows create a significant reduction of outdoor noise!
Durable: In the Northwest, the biggest threat to the longevity of a home is water! It’s everywhere, and it’s sneaky. Passive House buildings are designed to keep water out and to let moisture produced inside, out. This means less maintenance and fewer repairs – a major win.
The physics and design principles can seem overwhelming, but this smart building method will ensure your home stays healthy, comfortable, and durable for a lifetime and beyond.
You can download & share this brief via our White Paper, What is a Passive House?