Course Outline

Introduction to Passive House Outline

• Challenges Today – A world in environmental, health and social crises
  • Passive House drives architectural solutions
    • Energy Efficiency to eliminate carbon emissions.
    • Hygienic indoor environments to protect our health.
    • Ability to shelter-in-place to provide resilience
    • Deliver affordability to all people, not just the few.
    • Mitigate investment risk by future proofing the building.
• History
  • The precedents
    • Vernacular in China
    • Norwegian explorer ship
    • Dutch, German, US and Canadian examples
    • Not passive solar.
• A New Idea
  • 1990 first Passive House as research experiment
  • Discovered Passive House concept that aligns comfort, health and efficiency.
• Decouples power and performance
• Benefits of PH
  • Examples of health, resilience, affordability, enabling a green grid
  • Forces one to reexamine assumptions and rethink approach to design and building.
  • Re-engage the craft of building
  • Engage energy flows as a tool
• Do we have the imagination it takes to see what’s possible?
  • Examples of towers in Vienna, NYC, Vancouver and Boston
  • Example of garment factory in Sri Lanka and affordable housing in the UK
• Cost
  • Why Passive House need not cost more than conventional building
  • Tips to stay on budget.
• Methodology
  • To achieve all benefits at cost parity or nearly so Passive House is also a pathway with clear goals and tools.
    • Certified Buildings
    • Certified Components
    • Certified Professionals
    • PHPP energy model
    • Information sharing
    • Global research
    • Global network of peers
• Certifications
  • Classic, Plus and Premium Passive House
  • EnerPHit retrofit certification for existing buildings including step-by-step renovations.
  • North American Certifiers Circle
    • Be sure to certify and get what you expect.
• Principles
  • Continuous Insulation
    • Suitable to the climate
  • Thermal Bridge Free Construction
    • Eliminating or reducing, calculating and measuring.
  • Airtightness
    • For highest efficiency, greatest comfort, best indoor air quality and least moisture damages.
  • High-performance windows & doors with solar protection
    • Part of continuous insulation and airtightness.
    • High performance provides occupant comfort without perimeter heating or cooling.
    • Solar gains carefully calibrated to avoid excessive overheating
    • Solar protection to dampen or avoid overheating.
  • High-efficiency heat recovery ventilation
    • Delivered throughout the building continually with 100% exhaust and heat recovery high enough to maintain comfort in challenging weather.
  • Heating, Cooling & Dehumidification
    • Demands are minimized but depending on where the building is may still be required.
• Examples
  • Guest hotel in China.
  • Leisure Center in UK
  • Embassy in Congo.
  • Academic building in Australia.
  • Affordable housing in Philadelphia.
  • Musician’s retreat in Vermont.
• Seize the power of buildings with Passive House
  • Deliver health & equity.
  • Build our zero-carbon future today.