Along with higher indoor air quality and more comfortable indoor temperature ranges, buildings designed and built to meet the Passive
House Standard typically see a 75-90% reduction in energy use and a much lower carbon footprint when compared to traditionally
constructed buildings. This is a true leap forward in design, particularly as there is no need for expensive or cutting technologies to achieve
these amazing results. These inherent advantages are important today, and will be even more important as energy prices continue to rise in
the future.
In our quest to produce better buildings and improve the building stock in the US, staff from Newhouse Development have attended the
Passive House Consultant training courses and are actively involved in planning several projects that are to be built and certified to meet the
Passive House Building Energy Standard. Contact us to find out more!
Although it has been in existence in Europe since 1990, the Passive House Standard was introduced to the US in 2008 and has gained rapid
acceptance since that time. Recently, several states and localities adopted it as an optional performance target and the US Congress has
been discussing legislation that would provide incentives to builders and developers who voluntarily meet the standard. In addition, both the
US Green Building Council and the National Association of Homebuilders are in the process of incorporating the Passive House Standard
into their green building guidelines.
Although called "Passive House buildings", these structures are actually designed to actively improve the indoor spaces that we inhabit as we
live, work and play. The example charts shown below clearly illustrate the dramatic differences between a Passive House building (on the left)
and a typical older building (on the right). As the ambient temperature (the blue line below) fluctuates over an eight day period, the Passive
House building maintains an almost constant indoor temperature (requiring much less energy for heating and cooling). At the same time,
the indoor temperatures in the older building follow the changes in the outdoor temperature almost identically, requiring far more energy to
offset the constant swings in temperature, creating a very uncomfortable space to be in and potentially a sick building.
Check out the following video, which discusses the "SmartHome" Passive House project being sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of
Natural History.
If you would like more information on Passive House training or certification, please visit the Passive House Institute US, the preeminent provider of Passive House
training and certification in North America. You can also get more information about the Passive House Building Energy Standard, or be a supporter of better
buildings by joining the National Passive House Alliance.
House Standard typically see a 75-90% reduction in energy use and a much lower carbon footprint when compared to traditionally
constructed buildings. This is a true leap forward in design, particularly as there is no need for expensive or cutting technologies to achieve
these amazing results. These inherent advantages are important today, and will be even more important as energy prices continue to rise in
the future.
In our quest to produce better buildings and improve the building stock in the US, staff from Newhouse Development have attended the
Passive House Consultant training courses and are actively involved in planning several projects that are to be built and certified to meet the
Passive House Building Energy Standard. Contact us to find out more!
Although it has been in existence in Europe since 1990, the Passive House Standard was introduced to the US in 2008 and has gained rapid
acceptance since that time. Recently, several states and localities adopted it as an optional performance target and the US Congress has
been discussing legislation that would provide incentives to builders and developers who voluntarily meet the standard. In addition, both the
US Green Building Council and the National Association of Homebuilders are in the process of incorporating the Passive House Standard
into their green building guidelines.
Although called "Passive House buildings", these structures are actually designed to actively improve the indoor spaces that we inhabit as we
live, work and play. The example charts shown below clearly illustrate the dramatic differences between a Passive House building (on the left)
and a typical older building (on the right). As the ambient temperature (the blue line below) fluctuates over an eight day period, the Passive
House building maintains an almost constant indoor temperature (requiring much less energy for heating and cooling). At the same time,
the indoor temperatures in the older building follow the changes in the outdoor temperature almost identically, requiring far more energy to
offset the constant swings in temperature, creating a very uncomfortable space to be in and potentially a sick building.
Check out the following video, which discusses the "SmartHome" Passive House project being sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of
Natural History.
If you would like more information on Passive House training or certification, please visit the Passive House Institute US, the preeminent provider of Passive House
training and certification in North America. You can also get more information about the Passive House Building Energy Standard, or be a supporter of better
buildings by joining the National Passive House Alliance.
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| Smart. Sustainable. Structures.™ |
| Newhouse Development Co. ©2011 All rights reserved. |
Images courtesy of the Passive House Institute (www.passivhausagung.de)
| Built to meet the Passive House Standard |
| Typical older building |
These measurements were taken in July, in a hot climate (Seville,
Spain) and while the Passive House building maintained an indoor
range of 76-80°F, the older building had an indoor range of 80-97 °F.
Spain) and while the Passive House building maintained an indoor
range of 76-80°F, the older building had an indoor range of 80-97 °F.
The Passive House Building Energy Standard
Since our founding in 2003, Newhouse Development has been focused on building higher quality,
healthier and more energy efficient buildings. In 2010, we took this commitment to the next level by
adopting the efficiency targets set forth by the Passive House Building Energy Standard.
The Passive House Standard is a non-prescriptive building approach with very strict technical
requirements for air tightness, energy efficiency and prevention of thermal bridging. The end result
is a healthier, more comfortable and much more energy efficient structure, which can be built (or
renovated) at a cost that is only slightly higher than traditional construction - while producing
building performance results that far exceed the added initial investment.
Since our founding in 2003, Newhouse Development has been focused on building higher quality,
healthier and more energy efficient buildings. In 2010, we took this commitment to the next level by
adopting the efficiency targets set forth by the Passive House Building Energy Standard.
The Passive House Standard is a non-prescriptive building approach with very strict technical
requirements for air tightness, energy efficiency and prevention of thermal bridging. The end result
is a healthier, more comfortable and much more energy efficient structure, which can be built (or
renovated) at a cost that is only slightly higher than traditional construction - while producing
building performance results that far exceed the added initial investment.