Frequently Asked Questions on Passive House Buildings

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.

The Dalles Residence incorporates many Passive House and aging-in-place elements. Once construction is completed, our clients will have a resilient, healthy, economical, and environmentally-friendly home.

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. 

Testimonials

Testimonials

“Living Shelter has been a pleasure to work with on our campaign project. It was clear that they really worked to create a project that was purpose built to our needs, and from a fundraising standpoint, they are always incredibly responsive to updating renderings and drawings that we've needed for donor meetings.”

—Mike Ritter, Capital Manager, Pasado's Safe Haven

“Our experience in working with Terry Phelan was exceptional! Her talents go far beyond what you would expect from a traditional architect. She has a team that truly listens to your goals, and makes them happen! In doing so, they will surprise you with unexpected spaces that impart a very comfortable feel, usually only found in older homes. In addition to designing our primary residence, the Living Shelter team also helped us with conceptual drawings for a coastal property (future build). That was a very fun project, and shows their flexibility to work with various situations. Creative, knowledgeable, professional and a joy to work with - highly recommend!”

—Michele Scaglia, Client

“We can't recommend Living Shelter highly enough. From our initial dreaming, through concept and design, and on into construction, Terry and the LS team were collaborative and creative -- committed to making our new home sustainable, livable, and beautiful. They helped us a create a healthy home that fits the site and our lifestyle.”

—Mary Huycke, Client

“I worked with Living Shelter Design to design and construct my new home in the mountains near Mt Adams in Washington. Their whole team was fantastic to work with! The design ideas presented creatively addressed my aesthetic and space needs, while also fitting within the available budget. Their flexible approach to developing the design made me feel confident that I could build the house of my dreams. The Living Shelter team was also there during construction to help assist the builder and provide the backup support to address all snafus that invariably arise while building a new home. They were so responsive and got the job done for me!”

—Kim Gilmer, Client

“As an interior designer, I have had the pleasure of working with Terry and the Living Shelter team on many projects. They are extremely professional, knowledgeable about sustainable building, and genuinely wonderful people. I highly recommend them!”

—Sandy Campbell, Entero Design

“Terry Phelan is deeply committed to reducing the environmental impact of her buildings, and her work in load bearing straw bale structures is exceptional.”

—Habib John Gonzalez, Director of Sustainable Works

“Did we tell you we love the plans? We do! You really worked magic. Thanks a lot. We are REALLY happy.”

—Judi and Scott Nicolai

“Terry has consistently demonstrated the rare combination of tenacity, caring, and professionalism throughout.”

—Jane Bakken and Jack Fecker