Using Passive House to get to Net Zero Energy

• Early Housing = no technologyEarly Housing = no technology• 2020thth Century Housing = technology evolves Century Housing = technology evolves• 2121stst Century = organized technology Century = organized technology

A Brief History A Brief History

What is Passive What is Passive HouseHouse

The term passive house refers to a rigorous, voluntary standard The term passive house refers to a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a for energy efficiency in a buildingbuilding

Resulting in ultra-low energy buildings that require little Resulting in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or coolingenergy for space heating or cooling

Thusly reducing its ecological footprintThusly reducing its ecological footprint

Benchmarks in a Benchmarks in a NutshellNutshell

Space Heating/Cooling Energy Demand 15 kilowatt hours per square meter of Treated Floor Area per year or 10 Watts per square meter peak demand or in Imperial units 4.75 kBTU/sf*yr and 3.2 BTU/hr*sf respectively.

Primary Energy DemandTotal energy to be used in the building operations (heating + cooling + lighting + equipment + hot water + plug loads, etc…) is limited to 120 kilowatt hours per square meter of Treated Floor Area per year or in Imperial units 38.0 BTU/sf*yr.)Airtight EnclosureAllowable limit of 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals pressure (ACH50) that is verified with an onsite blower door test (pressurized and depressurized)

Passive House as Passive House as TeacherTeacher

We know what We knowWe know what We know

We know what We don’t knowWe know what We don’t knowWE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE DON’T KNOWWE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE DON’T KNOW

ArchitectArchitectEngineerEngineerBuilderBuilder

Surgeon Surgeon Astronaut Astronaut ActorActor

What We BuiltWhat We Built• 3500 SF 4 bedroom Passive House W/ an Unconditioned Conservatory3500 SF 4 bedroom Passive House W/ an Unconditioned Conservatory• R 45 Walls = 12.5” double stud wall filled with dense pack celluloseR 45 Walls = 12.5” double stud wall filled with dense pack cellulose• R 49 Roof = 12” rafter filled with open cell foamR 49 Roof = 12” rafter filled with open cell foam• R 51 Floor = 12” floor joist filled with dense pack and capped with 1.5” R 51 Floor = 12” floor joist filled with dense pack and capped with 1.5”

polyiso polyiso • R 7.14 Klearwall Triple glazed tilt and turn windowsR 7.14 Klearwall Triple glazed tilt and turn windows• 2 ton Waterfurnace geothermal heat pump2 ton Waterfurnace geothermal heat pump• 80 gallon Steibel Eltron heat pump hot water heater80 gallon Steibel Eltron heat pump hot water heater• Zenhder ERV Zenhder ERV

Passive House 5Passive House 5

1.1. Air tight building envelopeAir tight building envelope2.2. High efficiency windows and doorsHigh efficiency windows and doors3.3. Super insulationSuper insulation4.4. Controlled ventilation with heat Controlled ventilation with heat

recoveryrecovery5.5. Thermal bridge free construction Thermal bridge free construction

Air Tight ConstructionAir Tight Construction• Consistent Indoor ComfortConsistent Indoor Comfort• Enhanced Insulation PerformanceEnhanced Insulation Performance• Proper Fresh Air VentilationProper Fresh Air Ventilation

Triple Pane Windows & Triple Pane Windows & DoorsDoors

• Plays A Vital Role In Air Tight Plays A Vital Role In Air Tight ConstructionConstruction

• Increased Thermal efficiency - R-ValueIncreased Thermal efficiency - R-Value• Key Element for comfort factorKey Element for comfort factor

Super InsulationSuper Insulation • Low investment with a high returnLow investment with a high return• Keeps on giving tirelessly Keeps on giving tirelessly • Zero maintenanceZero maintenance

Fresh Air System Fresh Air System • Stale air is replaced with pre-conditioned fresh airStale air is replaced with pre-conditioned fresh air• Prevents spikes in COPrevents spikes in CO22 levels levels• Heat recovery operates at a minimum of 75% efficiencyHeat recovery operates at a minimum of 75% efficiency• Filters pollen, mold, dust, bacteria – MERV 13Filters pollen, mold, dust, bacteria – MERV 13

Thermal Bridge Free Thermal Bridge Free ConstructionConstruction• Thermal Isolation between the inside and outsideThermal Isolation between the inside and outside

• Helps minimize losses and maximize retention Helps minimize losses and maximize retention

What ThermalWhat Thermal Imaging Imaging Tells UsTells Us

• Passive House vs. Traditional Passive House vs. Traditional ConstructionConstruction

A Stark A Stark Contrast Contrast

How Did We DoHow Did We Do

We did fantasticWe did fantastic

The Prime DirectiveThe Prime DirectiveAn order or mission which presents the overriding control over a course of actionAn order or mission which presents the overriding control over a course of action

Thank you Thank you