Airtight living means the ultimate in energy savings

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Published Date 2/27/2018

Perhaps your English teacher once warned you about writing in the passive voice. Or your parents told you to stay away from passive-aggressive people. But what about a passive house? Maybe you picture a dwelling shrugging it eaves as you walk by, but think again. A passive house is actually surprisingly aggressive -- designed to be as eco-friendly and economical as the day is long.

The International Passive House Association sets the standards for passive homes, which have been around for a while internationally but are just beginning to emerge as an alternative the U.S. It's about how they're built, how much they cost, and how energy-efficient they are. To pass muster, a passive house must consume 86% less energy for heating and 46% less for cooling compared with other code-compliant buildings in the same climate. Tall order? Imagine reducing or even eliminating the need for heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer because your house is airtight as a drum, having been built with unusually efficient exterior insulation and blessed with triple-pane windows, preventing air from seeping in and escaping the structure.

Of course, location and exposure are still important as well, with passive houses strategically situated to capture maximum sunlight in the winter and shade in the summer. In countries where energy is costly passive homes are more plentiful -- places like Germany and northern Europe. There are few here in the U.S, but that may change as energy costs rise here are well. You may be surprised, however, to know that the first passive house was built in North America way back in the 1970s, when energy prices had gone through the roof. It wasn't long before oil prices dropped, however, and interest in passive homes waned.

At present there are only 250 certified passive buildings in the U.S., but the number of projects seeking certification is now growing, since the trend is for homes and buildings with a smaller carbon footprint, protection from unpredictable energy costs, and the independence of living off the grid using solar panels or other renewable energy sources. Upfront costs are slightly higher to build a passive home, but reports tell us that the initial financial hit is recouped fairly quickly, since these homes go through up to 90% less energy.

Passive homes are also healthier for their occupants, bringing in fresh air and filtering it through a ventilation system to remove allergens and pollution. Some passive house owners not only find that odors are reduced, but that they also sleep better because of healthier air as well as how these homes are whisper-quiet inside.

Passive homes beg you not to give in to indifference. Rather, they ask that you someday consider living passively.

Source: TBWS

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