Frequently Asked Questions

Sustainable materials and products are made from renewable resources which don’t damage our environment, won’t make people sick, are long lasting in the home, and when they are eventually removed, are reusable. Many of today’s health problems come from or are aggravated by poor indoor air quality and exposure to toxic substances, the result of commonly used building techniques and building products. Green products and methods are designed to minimize or eliminate these problems.

Achieving the Passive House standard does add to the initial cost, but that is partially offset by eliminating the standard heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanical system. Over the life of the house, the operating costs should be far less than a home built to current codes. These cost savings last indefinitely, even as fuel costs rise year after year. Increased construction costs have been estimated at 10-15%, but that will vary with the actual design. These initial investments are typically recouped within a few years, and then year-after-year the Passive House saves money because it is nearly energy independent.

Absolutely not – Passive House techniques can be used on additions and renovations to existing homes.

Many new homes today are being built tightly in an improper fashion, trapping moisture inside and leading to significant mold and indoor air quality problems. Passive House are designed to be continuously ventilated through the use of a balanced Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) which assures superior air quality and comfort by continuously exchanging interior air. Excess moisture is safely removed along with potentially harmful pollutants. While the air is exchanged, the heat from the outgoing air is used to heat the incoming air, so you don’t have freezing air coming in. These systems have been praised by those who suffer from allergies and asthma. The system runs quietly 24 hours a day, replenishing the interior air volume many times daily without affecting heating.

Because Passive House are built so tight, the entry of radon is prevented as much as possible. Nevertheless we always install a passive radon vent which vents through the roof. Beyond that, any possible infiltration is met by our balanced ventilation system.

Initial and long term costs and/or savings – Many of the materials used, such as framing lumber are traditional building materials. Other newer and greener materials are available for close to the same cost. Increased levels of Insulation and more efficient windows will typically cost more up front, but will save heating and cooling costs for the long term.

The difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation – Energy conservation includes methods to decrease the energy needed to run the home. This can be as simple as turning off the power to TVs and computers when they are not being used, using compact fluorescent bulbs or increasing insulation levels. Energy efficient equipment uses less energy to get the same result. Newer Energy star appliances, furnaces and boilers are more efficient than older models. A Green home should be much more energy efficient and utilize many conservation methods and technologies.

Energy savings – Buildings, both residential and commercial are the largest users of energy in the country; using 47% of all the energy we produce and import. We know we can reduce these loads by 50% or more without affecting our quality of life. Reduced energy through both conservation and increased efficiency is vital to our national security and to our economy.