The fundamentals of Passive House design and construction deliver “high performance buildings” in terms of energy efficiency, comfort, healthy indoor air quality, durability, and lower cost of maintenance. The ways in which different groups of stakeholders’ experience and benefit from those performance factors will vary based on the needs, priorities, and preferences of the stakeholders. Scroll down to learn about whether and how Passive House makes sense for you.
Passive House is becoming the standard
The writing on the wall is that Passive standards are the future of the building industry, and more and more cities are looking for ways to support reaching those standards.”
– Posted on NAPHN Website from EMU Systems
“Providing incentives for net zero passive house technologies will hasten acceptance in the marketplace and its adoption into the building codes, and in our uncertain climate future, this is good public policy.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com
“A good first step is changing building codes to emphasize net zero passive house level energy efficiency.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com
“Such code changes will ensure that all new structures achieve significant and permanent energy reductions.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com
Developing and administering policies is challenging
Staff and policymakers must navigate the many rules and procedures that they themselves must follow, and at the same time, develop, manage, and enforce the codes, guidelines, and procedures that building professionals are required to follow.
Passive House standards provide a rational path forward
The clarity, logic, and comprehensive simplicity of Passive House protocols, and the well-documented positive impacts of following those protocols make Passive House a workable, and common-sense approach that can be helpful to jurisdictions in crafting and implementing policies.
- New York Passive House is an ally and stands ready to provide education, examples, and connections to support the evolution of building codes and processes toward a carbon free, all renewable, and equitable future
- NYSERDA has commissioned the NYStretch Energy Code – 2020 which includes the Passive House Section R408.
Association with the Passive House community has value
- Connections: Staff and leadership of agencies and jurisdictions are able to meet, interact, exchange ideas, and learn from one another through the networking and exchange of ideas associated with NYPH events (currently virtual). Sharing information and lessons learned can inform and improve decision making across organizations, while avoiding the re-invention of successful initiatives, policies, and procedures.
- Intelligence and Evidence: Access to the collection of data, documentation, case studies, information and outcomes available from NYPH, NAPHN, and iPHA can be valuable as agencies or jurisdictions define, launch, evaluate, and optimize rules, programs, and initiatives.
- Assistance: Local and national support from the Passive House community will assist policymakers with input and feedback in driving adoption and compliance with high-performance and sustainable standards.
- Traction: COVID, resiliency, and increasing awareness of the climate crisis have dramatically accelerated interest in, and adoption of, building standards that deliver extreme energy efficiency, fire resistance, and healthy indoor air quality. Passive House protocols and tools are proven to be valuable resources in the development and implementation of guidelines, policies, and codes.
Environmental Responsibility:
Agencies, jurisdictions, policymakers and staff who embrace Passive House design and construction are joining a movement that provides an epic win/win/win scenario.
- It is a personal win for all involved because it touches every level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from basic requirements to self-actualization
- It is a win for everyone who lives or works within Passive House buildings — comfort, health, and peace of mind
- It is a critical part of, not only a win, but a stop and reversal of losses, for the planet and all of our fellow occupants
New York Passive House
“Please consider joining NYPH as a Member or Sponsor — or registering for upcoming training to become a CPHD/C or Tradesperson — or contact us with any questions or requests at info@nypassivehouse.org”
