What is a Passive House Planning (PHP) Approach?

Passive House is a certified method of design using energy modeling software and construction techniques to create low-energy and net-positive energy buildings. A Passive House structure is one that is super insulated, virtually air- tight, and primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people and equipment.

Importantly, energy losses and gains are balanced using the following beyond code design and construction detailing: “Climate specific insulation, High-performance triple pane windows, Ventilation with heat recovery and high-efficiency heating/cooling mechanical systems, Airtight construction, and Thermal bridge-free design (reduced heat loss through the structure)”.

This approach to designing high-performance residential buildings uses the International Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) or the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) planning tools. This modeling software is used to benchmark the energy performance of the existing or proposed housing stock and propose an array of applicable energy interventions. Improving energy efficiency takes into consideration the following: homeowner behavior, state-of-the-art building technologies and materials and long-term environmental carbon costs.