Welcome to part two in our series on Passive House buildings. If you missed the first article, you can read it here.
We’ve already described the many benefits Passive House provides, here we’ll answer the common questions we receive about this building standard.
How Do Material Selection and Design Complexity Affect Passive House Construction Costs?
It’s important to work with experienced Passive House builders, as the unique details and construction sequence could potentially increase labor costs for those unfamiliar with all the ins and outs. Living Shelter Architects is very supportive of the increasing interest in Passive House and we’ve worked with several builders who are now experts in this process. Troy Howe, a Passive House-certified architect, leads our design team on these projects to ensure everyone is up to speed.
The use of local materials is another great way to keep costs in check due to reduced shipping distances—and it supports the local economy!
Is It Possible To Estimate (Before Construction) How Long It Will Be To See The Investment Pay Off In Lower Energy Bills?
Yes, this is possible. Passive House employs a program called the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). Through the energy analysis of the building with PHPP, the electrical demand can be calculated for different building envelope options. The cost of additional materials to achieve higher energy efficiency can be compared to the long term cost of the additional loan amount to see if it pays off.
Should You Be Concerned About Moisture And Mold Problems?
No, you shouldn’t be concerned about this with a Passive House building. Mold and mildew develop where moisture infiltrates building components: walls, ceilings, etc. One of Passive House primary aims is eliminating the migration of moisture through the building envelope.
This is achieved with a continuous air barrier around the building. Moisture developed inside the home, through occupant breathing or cooking on the stove, is handled by the continuous running heat recovery ventilator (HRV) unit. If you’re building in a warm and humid climate an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) unit is recommended to address humidity.
Is A Passive House Residence Automatically Considered A Healthy Home?
No, not by our definition of a healthy home. Material selection is crucial for creating a healthy home and Passive House does not specify the types of materials to use in order to achieve its standards. The types of materials selected are the key to a healthy home, and working with a designer that understands the options and how to integrate these selections into the overall goals is of great value. Living Shelter Architects focuses on using materials that have low embodied carbon, have little to no off-gassing, and have reduced impacts on the environment—all elements that comprise a healthy home.