Sustainability

What is Passive House?

A Building Standard

Passive House construction is considered the most rigorous voluntary energy-based standard in the design and construction industry today, resulting in buildings that consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

Applicable to almost any building type or design the Passive House high performance building standard is internationally recognized, science based and proven. - Passive House Canada

Methodology

It is a way of designing a building to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and superior thermal comfort. First, one looks to minimize heating and cooling loads through passive measures like massing, insulation, high quality windows, passive solar energy, shading and elimination of thermal bridges.

Because a Passive House building is so airtight, it requires balanced and controlled ventilation with high quality heat exchange to provide fresh air at all times.

All the building information is entered into a design tool - the Passive House planning package (PHPP) - which is essential for designing a Passive House building. - Passive House Canada

So What Are The Benefits?

Comfort, with unprecedented thermal balance. Because of the thick blanket of insulation and elimination of thermal bridges, there is no cold or hot spots. Temperatures are stable and consistent from floor to ceiling.

A Healthy Environment, with great indoor air quality. A heat recovery ventilation system ensures a supply of fresh clean air all year round. A Passive House-certified ventilation system delivers the air silently without drafts to every occupied space, and exhausts stale air where moisture or odours exist.

A Quiet Setting, with acoustic separation from the street neighbours. The thicker insulation, careful sealing and triple glazing cut out a lot of exterior noise.

A well-functioning building, with simplicity of operation.

The need for complex and expensive technology or controls is greatly reduced; it's all about careful design, simple and durable systems, and quality construction.

An affordable home or building, with significantly reduced maintenance and energy costs. Operating costs are far lower than conventional buildings.

Peace of mind, A special comfort level is derived from a truly sustainable building. With knowledge it was built better, buyers and tenants feel better.