This is a lecture I gave at the University of Minnesota on 3/5/2013. It serves as an introduction to the Passive House building energy standard.

1. Introduction to the
Passive House Building Energy Standard

2. building sustainability...

3. holistic design for
sustainable homes
• comfort
• economy
• ecology
• quality
• durability
• beauty
• functionality
• health
STUDIO:
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Minneapolis, MN 55418
612-246-4670
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CERTIFIED PASSIVE HOUSE™ CONSULTANT

4. OPERATION
[“Being there”] Your organization is
working towards a sustainable future.
You are striving for a clear
understanding of your current
position and to set goals to support
your global vision.
FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Intep supports you in defining portfolio or
project specific operation planning by
defining FM structure, processes
appropriate to the performance targets
set. With new projects ideally
accompanying the design process.
GLOBAL IMPACT
[“Where are we and where do we
go?”] Your organization is working
towards a sustainable future. You are
striving for a clear understanding of your
current position and to set goals to
support your global vision.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Intep creates framework plans based
on the analysis of your current
position and a global vision for
resource and energy efficiency for
your build environment.
CITY/CAMPUS
[“How do we get there?”]
Your vision is to implement sustainable
strategy for your built environments like
the 2000-Watt Society.
MASTER PLANNING
Intep develops appropriate building
performance standards and applying
sustainability frame work to specific
project developments including
feasibility.
BUILDINGS
[“Going there”] You are
implementing buildings projects
based on global leading performance
targets and design standards like
Passive House or Minergie.
IMPLEMENTING
Intep offers project steering to you
directing your design team, or
comprehensive, integrated design
services to execute your project to
the highest standards.
BUILDING LIFE CYCLE
building sustainability...

5. Leapfrog Approach

6. Integrated Design

7. Performance-Based Design

8. Whole > Sum(Parts)

9. First Certified Passive House
In North America

11. First Certified Passive House In Wisconsin;
Energy Plus Performance

12. TM

13. First Certified Passive House Retrofit
In A Cold Climate;
First In The TwinCities

15. “A rigorous, voluntary building energy standard
focusing on highest energy efficiency and quality of life
at low operating cost.”
The Passive House Standard is the most rigorous building energy standard in the world. Consultants, projects or building components that have
obtained the right to carry the logo have committed themselves to design excellence and the Passive House energy performance criteria.
Passive House | Passivhaus
TM

16. It’s A Tool

17. Background

19. Illinois Lo-Cal House, 1974
Source: The Small Homes Council at the University of Illinois
Conservation = Resource

20. Back To The Future

21. Saskatchewan Conservation House
Saskatoon, Canada in 1978
Early Models

22. Passive Solar Designs

23. PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN PASSIVE HOUSE
Building design concept Certified building energy standard
“Unlimited” energy use Energy per square foot and year cap
Solar heat gains (passive)
Solar heat gains (passive) and internal heat
gains
Shading devices to control solar heat gains
Shading devices and glazing control solar
heat gains
Thermal mass absorbs and stores solar
energy
Insulation and air tightness retain space
conditioning energy
Time-release of space conditioning energy Heat-recovery ventilation
Passive Solar Design ≠ Passive House

24. Solution

25. $
Economy

26. Ecology & Resources
Source: dreamstime.com

27. Society

28. Source: Blu
Global Warming

29. Sustainability

30. Think globally, build locally.
Global Standard

31. Global Adoption

32. Flavors
New Construction
Retrofit
United StatesWorld
TM

33. • Conservation first
• Minimize losses
• Maximize gains
Basic Concept

34. Source: Krapmeier & Drössler 2001
25-125
kBtu/(sf a)
4.756
kBtu/(sf a)
Passive House
15kWh/(m2 a)
Average existing building
85 - 450 kWh/(m2 a)
Passive House (pas′iv-ho̵us)
active passive

35. Energy Footprint
Heating (active)
Hot water (active)
Cooling (active)
Household Electricity
Heat & hot water (passive)
• 90% less heating energy
• 66% less overall energy
Code Passive House

36. Energy per Square Foot and Year
Gas mileage for buildings.
Metric

37. ≤ 4.75 kBtu/(sf yr)
≤ 15kWh/(m2
a)
Total energy used to heat or cool a building.
Space Conditioning Cap

38. ≤ 38 kBtu/(sf yr)
≤ 120kWh/(m2
a)
All energy consumed; accounted for at the source.
Source Energy Cap

39. ≤0.6 ACH50
Measured with blower door in the field.
Airtightness Cap

40. Predictable Outcome - Measurable Results
Passive House Planning Package - PHPP

41. Planning and Design

42. • Leapfrog
• System
• Integrated design
• Incrementalism >>>
• Component >>>
• “Design in a vacuum” >>>
Paradigm Shifts

43. Source:TE Studio
Schematic
AIR-INTAKE
HEAT RECOVERY VENITALTION
SUPPLY AIR
EXTRACT AIR
EXHAUST
CONTINUOUSLY SUPER-INSULATED
& AIRTIGHT BUILDING ENVELOPE
ADVANCED WINDOWS AND DOORS
THERMAL BRIDGE-FREE DETAILS
OPTIONAL
EARTH TUBE
HEAT RECOVERY
VENTILATOR
=
ACTIVE SHADING = THERMOSTAT

44. Continuous High R-Value Insulation

45. Source: Waltjen 2007
Compare to
standard 2x4 wall

46. FLR.
- 9'-7 1/2" - 9'-8 1/4"
CONNECT POLY MEMBRANE TO T.O. SLAB
OUS PERIMETER DRAIN/ PASSIVE RADON VENT,
HT OR SUMP, CONNECT TO VERT. RADON STACK
THICKENED EDGE PER STRUC. ENG.
TYPICAL SLAB ASSEMBLY
> INTERIOR <
- SCHEDULED FLOORING
- STRUCTURAL CONCRETE SLAB: STRUCTURE
INFILL AREAS WITHOUT STRUC. REQUIREMENTS WITH SAND,
MIN. SLAB THICKNESS 4", VERIFY WITH STRUC. ENG.
- (2) 6 MIL POLY MEMBRANE: VAPOR AND AIR BARRIER
TAPE AND SEAL JOINTS & PROTRUSIONS AIRTIGHT
- 10" EPS (COMPRESSION STRENGTH PER STRUCT. ENG.): INSULATION
- BASE PER STRUC. ENG.
> UNDISTURBED SOIL <
PICAL ASSEMBLY SECTION

54. Thermal Bridge Free Construction

56. Continuous Airtightness

57. 11" EIFS 11" ICF
INSULATED DUCT O.D. 180MM (LUEFTA)
2" ARMAFLEX PIPE INSULATION
TAPE ICF TO DUCT,
AIR-TIGHT CONNECTION
SEALANT JOINT
SCHEDULED WALL FINISH
FILL GAPS WITH EXPANSION FOAM
BRING INSULATION
TIGHT TO PIPE
STO GUARD
WET FLASHING SYSTEM
12" PE PIPE, SLEEVE
CUT BACK FINISH
AND CAULK
COMPRESSION TAPE
INTERIOREXTERIOR
REFERENCE DETAILS:
- STO W 260
NOTE:
- USE ONLY STO CERTIFIED SEALANT
- COLOR MATCH CAULK TO FACADE COLOR
SUGGESTED INSTALLATION:
1) INSTALL PIPE
2) INSTALL COMPRESSION TAPE
3) INSULATE TIGHT TO PIPE AND COMPRESS TAPE
4) INSTALL FINISH SYSTEM

64. Hygrothermal Performance

65. MIN.3'-0"
1'-6"
2" 9" 11 1/4" 4 3/4" 1"
2"
EARTHEN PLASTER, TYP.
NUDURA ICF (2-5/8" XPS—6" CONC—2-5/8" XPS),
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE LAYER PER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD, TYP.
1/2" WALL BOARD, TYP.
COMPACTED SOIL
UNDISTURBED NATIVE SOIL
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C. OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
STO GUARD: AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
5/8" T&G OSB SHEATHING
5/8" OSB, AIR BARRIER, VAPOR RETARDER
3/4" FURR FRAMING (INSTALLATION)
5/8" WALL BOARD
14" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
VENTILATION SPACE
TAPERED FURR FRAMING
60 MIL REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE
WITH STRIPPED-IN SEAMS
PEDESTAL PAVER SYSTEM
SLOPE 1/8" PER 1'-0"
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C., OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
GEO-TEXTILE
FABRIC
DE, MIN. 1/4" PER 1' SLOPE
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
12" XPS INSULATION, DOW SQUARE EDGE, COMPRESSION
STRENGTH PER STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
11" EPS (EIFS)
POLY URETHANE GLUE CONNECTION
20 MIL POLY, SEAL JOINTS
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS
PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
FOAM-PLUG @ SILL PLATE
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
SCHEDULED BASE
4" CONCRETE SLAB (EXPOSED WHERE SCHEDULED)
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM, R-11
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
AIR-TIGHT SEAL AT SILL
STO FLEXYL BELOW-GRADE WATER PROOFING
GRAVEL BACKFILL
DRAIN TILE, DRAIN TO DAYLIGHT
STEEL LANDSCAPE
EDGING
11-7/8" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE
INSULATION
3/4" PLYWOOD DECK @
1/4" PER 1'-0" SLOPE
2" XPS WITH DRAINAGE CHANNEL
FABRIC PROTECTION MAT
FLAT ROOF FLASHING
2" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
CONTINUOUS VENTILATION SPACE,
2X8 @ 24" O.C.
5/8" PLYWOOD SHEATHING
WIND WASH BARRIER (EIFS)
FLASHING
VENTILATION SLOTS
UNDER FLASHING
CONSTRUCTION LINE - OUTSIDE FACE OF ICF
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
2X10 @ 24" O.C. FURR FRAMING,
INSULATE CAVITIES TIGHTLY
1" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
STO GUARD,
AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
2" XPS INSULATION @ FOOTING, SEAL JOINTS
1/2" EXPANSION JOINT PER STO,
INSULATE CAVITY
STO FINISH COAT
11-7/8" I-JOIST
11-7/8" I-JOIST
DRAINAGE PLANE?
2"
MIN.3'-0"
2" 9" 11 1/4" 4 3/4" 1"
1'-6"
EARTHEN PLASTER, TYP.
NUDURA ICF (2-5/8" XPS—6" CONC—2-5/8" XPS),
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE LAYER PER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD, TYP.
1/2" WALL BOARD, TYP.
COMPACTED SOIL
UNDISTURBED NATIVE SOIL
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C. OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
STO GUARD: AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
5/8" T&G OSB SHEATHING
5/8" OSB, AIR BARRIER, VAPOR RETARDER
3/4" FURR FRAMING (INSTALLATION)
5/8" WALL BOARD
14" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
VENTILATION SPACE
TAPERED FURR FRAMING
60 MIL REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE
WITH STRIPPED-IN SEAMS
PEDESTAL PAVER SYSTEM
SLOPE 1/8" PER 1'-0"
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C., OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
GEO-TEXTILE
FABRIC
GRADE, MIN. 1/4" PER 1' SLOPE
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
12" XPS INSULATION, DOW SQUARE EDGE, COMPRESSION
STRENGTH PER STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
11" EPS (EIFS)
POLY URETHANE GLUE CONNECTION
20 MIL POLY, SEAL JOINTS
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS
PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
FOAM-PLUG @ SILL PLATE
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
SCHEDULED BASE
4" CONCRETE SLAB (EXPOSED WHERE SCHEDULED)
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM, R-11
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
AIR-TIGHT SEAL AT SILL
STO FLEXYL BELOW-GRADE WATER PROOFING
GRAVEL BACKFILL
DRAIN TILE, DRAIN TO DAYLIGHT
STEEL LANDSCAPE
EDGING
11-7/8" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE
INSULATION
3/4" PLYWOOD DECK @
1/4" PER 1'-0" SLOPE
2" XPS WITH DRAINAGE CHANNEL
FABRIC PROTECTION MAT
FLAT ROOF FLASHING
2" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
CONTINUOUS VENTILATION SPACE,
2X8 @ 24" O.C.
5/8" PLYWOOD SHEATHING
WIND WASH BARRIER (EIFS)
FLASHING
VENTILATION SLOTS
UNDER FLASHING
CONSTRUCTION LINE - OUTSIDE FACE OF ICF
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
2X10 @ 24" O.C. FURR FRAMING,
INSULATE CAVITIES TIGHTLY
1" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
STO GUARD,
AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
2" XPS INSULATION @ FOOTING, SEAL JOINTS
1/2" EXPANSION JOINT PER STO,
INSULATE CAVITY
STO FINISH COAT
11-7/8" I-JOIST
11-7/8" I-JOIST
DRAINAGE PLANE?

66. High-Performance Windows And Doors

67. 4"
ROUGH OPENING
AIRTIGHT CONNECTION
SEAL GAP WITH LOW EXPANSION FOAM
FROM EXTERIOR
SCHEDULED TRIM
WRB CONNECTION
TAPE WBR TO WINDOW FRAME WITH SIGA
WIGLUV
CONTINUOUS INSULATION
EPS INSULATION BLOCK, GLUE INTO
PLACE
WRB CONNECTION
CAULK JAMB TO WINDOW, MATCH COLOR
OF TRIM
WINDOW SET POINT
AIRTIGHT CONNECTION
TAPE WINDOW FRAME TO WINDOW BUCK
WITH TAPE PER MANF.
EXTENSION JAMB, SITE
AIRTIGHTNESS
TAPE SHEATHING TO
WINDOW BUCK WITH
SIGA WIGLUV TAPE
3/4" PLYWOOD BUCK
ALUMINUM SILL PAN BELOW
WOOD WINDOW SILL BELOW
2 2
2 6
2
2
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
OPTIWIN ALU2WOOD WINDOW
5/4X6 EXTERIOR TRIM, TYP.

73. Passive Solar Heat Gains

74. Covers over 50% of the heat demand.

75. Solar Facade

79. Shading

87. Power is nothing without control.
Windows = Heaters

88. Internal Heat Gains

89. Copyright Sony Pictures
Covers over 10% of the heat demand.

90. Balanced Heat-Recovery Ventilation

96. Heating, Cooling & Dehumidification

98. DN UP
5
1.3
1.4
1.21.1
REF
DNUP
CLO
POWDER
T
TLIV/DIN/KI

99. Source: Fujitsu

100. Efficient Appliances and Equipment

101. Source: Ecodrain Source: Sun Frost
Source: Lighting Ever

102. Performance Testing

107. Optional Monitoring

109. Optional Renewable Energy Systems

111. Energy Retrofit with
Passive House Components
(EnerPHit)

126. Feasibility Study

128. 0 kWh
7,500 kWh
15,000 kWh
22,500 kWh
30,000 kWh
75%REDUCTION
TYPICAL NEW HOME SYNERGY
Energy Conservation

129. Comparisons

130. Affordability Redefined
$
MORTAGE

131. Baseline Yesterday Today Tomorrow
Quality
Building
“Lighthouse”
10 to 20%
Early
Adopters
5 to 10%
Mainstream
0 - 5%
First Day Cost

132. Baseline Passive House
Construction $$$$ $$$$$
Operation $$$$ $$
Maintenance $$$$ $$
Total Cost $$$$ $$$
Life Cycle Cost

133. Summary

134. • Best certified and third party verified voluntary building standard in the industry
• Caps for heating and source energy, and airtightness
• Energy modeled, predictable performance
• 90% less heating demand than standard
• up to 75% or more overall energy savings than standard, energy independence
• Smallest carbon footprint in the industry
• Incredible comfort and health
• True value for owners and society
• Smart use of our resources like building materials and utilities
• Best insulation from an uncertain energy future
• 2 decades of proven performance
• Thousands of built projects all over the world
• Commercial and residential, new and retrofit
• Short ROI, incredible lifecycle savings potential
• Best starting point for net-zero energy and carbon-neutrality with smallest renewable
systems
• Global solution
• Life cycle approach for sustainable real estate
Passive House

135. Resources
passipedia.org
passivehouse-international.org
passivehouse.us
passiv.de
phaus.org
phamsp.org

136. Thank You!
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