Passive design standards ensure high energy performance

Rendering of the Bear Creek Village project from Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity

Passive building is an approach to construction that prioritizes exceptional efficiency, resilience, comfort, and durability. When applied to residential construction, the approach results in homes with exceptionally high energy performance. Builders can pursue certifications from Phius or Passive House Institute that illustrate their knowledge in passive design to potential homebuyers.

Built to last and for year-round comfort, passive homes support a healthy and quiet environment with features such as continuous insulation, high-performance windows and doors, airtight building enclosures, and balanced ventilation with energy recovery. These design characteristics collectively result in homes that operate using a minimal amount of energy and need minimal space conditioning.

Taking inspiration from passive building design strategies can help builders achieve higher energy performance for their traditionally built projects. In Central Oregon, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity is applying these principles to its latest project.

Passive building in action: Bear Creek Village

Grace Weger, vice president of construction of the Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, is using her knowledge as a Phius Certified Builder to make Bear Creek Village the organization’s first Phius-certified development.

The development meets passive building standards, offers two floor plans, and features eight homes designed to maintain healthy indoor air during increasingly frequent wildfire smoke events, while also preventing moisture intrusion and increasing long-term durability,” said Weger. Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity will also use structural insulated panels to achieve continuous insulation and install high-performance triple-pane windows to better control solar radiation.

Passive building challenges and opportunities

Employing passive strategies is something that any builder could start working toward at any time. However, earning Phius or Passive House Institute certifications and building to passive standards is best approached with careful consideration.

Challenge: Cost

Passive building involves more insulation, more attention to air sealing, and higher quality materials all around. It also requires training, which increases development costs.

However, the strategies behind these homes have results that could justify a higher cost. Passive homes have very low energy bills due to their high efficiency, allowing builders to use their knowledge of passive design principles as a competitive advantage.

“Passive building does cost more than other building strategies, but the benefits make it worth it,” said Weger.

Challenge: Time

Designing a passive home to meet Phius or Passive House Institute standards takes a lot of planning as the criteria are very strict. “Pilot passive home projects take time. There will be mistakes, so you must plan for first-time projects taking more time than you expect,” said Weger.

There is a learning curve. Although experience with passive building helps accelerate the design process, rushing through the early phases can lead to mistakes. “You must make a checklist and carefully go through it to make sure every little detail is right,” said Weger.

Opportunity: Education

Broader market adoption is needed for passive building to become more common and accessible. This begins with builders learning how these homes operate. A greater understanding of the benefits of passive building can help drive demand.

“Passive building is how every home should be built. Income level shouldn’t prevent someone from having a healthy home,” said Weger.

Opportunity: Certifications and classes

Phius has various certifications and trainings that can help entire teams grow their understanding of passive building. “The Phius classes were so beneficial,” said Weger. “While my entire team isn’t certified yet, we’re getting there.”

Grow your network to enable success with passive design

Builders can also engage with the Phius Alliance for resources and advice. “Getting connected to others who are knowledgeable really helps. And once you know more, share it out,” said Weger.

Visit the Passive House Northwest website to learn more about how passive building supports high home energy performance in the communities you serve.