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Passive House
A passive house (passivhaus) is a well-insulated house that relies on solar gain for heating and limits the need for cooling through shading and window orientation. Any additional heating or cooling demands are offset by small sources. Fresh air is supplied by an energy recovery ventilator. A passive house use 90% less energy than a house built to the standard building code in the United States.
The passivhaus concept originated in Germany in the late 1980s. Although passivhaus buildings have been constructed throughout Europe, most are located in Germany and Austria. From the passivhaus concept, the passivhaus standard was established, which is maintained by the Passivhaus Institut in Germany. The first passive house in the United States was built in 2003 in Urbana, Illinois. Five years later, the Passive House Institute US becomes authorized by the Passivhaus Institut to certify passive houses in the United States.
Learn more about passive house design here and here.
Follow us as we construct two passive houses in the Twin Cities!
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Appleseed House Blog |
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