By Mahnaz P. Nikbakht
Passive House construction is gaining momentum in cities worldwide, as advancements in building materials and construction techniques continue to unfold. With the accumulation of expertise and experience, along with the growing affordability and accessibility of components, Passive House construction is becoming increasingly feasible. This movement is further supported by various programs, grants, and incentives available for builders. Advancing government policies and stricter building codes, combined with the realities of climate change, have further underscored the benefits and practicalities of future-proofed and resilient buildings, prompting an evolution in how buildings are designed and constructed.
The pursuit of a higher performance-built environment is becoming increasingly urgent. To even come close to meeting the global warming limit of 1.5 C (2.7 F) set by the Paris Climate Agreement, it is estimated that a 40 to 50 per cent reduction in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is needed by 2030.
The built environment represents significant potential for climate action and emissions reductions. In 2020, the Government of Canada reported the country’s building sector comprised 14.1 million households and 482,000 commercial or institutional buildings, while buildings overall accounted for 17 per cent of Canada’s GHG emissions, when the emissions associated with electricity use in buildings was included. The burning of fossil fuels for space heating accounted for the largest share of these emissions. With the building sector identified as the third-highest producer of carbon emissions in Canada,1 the need to reduce its carbon footprint is clear. The path, however, can be challenging. The Passive House standard offers a proven and scalable solution.
Passive House is an internationally recognized, science-based approach to energy-based design and construction that emphasizes greater attention to the building envelope to achieve superior energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and well-being. It is a voluntary and rigorous standard that aims to minimize heating and cooling loads through passive measures including higher insulation levels, reduction in thermal bridges, the use of high-performance windows, airtightness, heat-recovery ventilation, as well as passive solar energy and shading. Active elements require energy in order to work. A high performance envelope reduces the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable environment (smaller or no heating and cooling equipment).
Successful Passive House design can reduce the energy required to heat or cool a building by 70 to 90 per cent compared to conventionally designed and constructed buildings, reducing the operational carbon footprint. Passive House Canada states, “Passive House is recognized by the United Nations as the optimal way to build healthy, climate-resilient, affordable, energy-efficient residential, institutional, and commercial buildings through all stages of design, construction, and livability.”
In North America, Passive House requirements are set out by two organizations: the International Passive House Institute (PHI) in affiliation with The Passive House Network (PHN), and the Passive House Institute US Inc. (PHIUS) in affiliation with Passive House Alliance US (PHAUS).
Any type of building can be certified as a Passive House project. The approach is scalable and can apply to both new and existing buildings. Passive House buildings are designed using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software, which now also includes the Passive House Network (PHN) PHribbon2 to calculate associated embodied and operational carbon emissions, allowing an architect or builder to specify the right combination of insulation and components necessary to bring any building to the required performance standard in any given climate zone. Passive House buildings have been completed in many severe climates, from central Russia and Finland to northern Sweden, and in Canadian cities such as Winnipeg and Vancouver.
I hope you have great pest control, otherwise, mice and rats will nest in that wool.