The document is an introduction to the Passive House building energy standard, emphasizing energy efficiency and low operating costs. It outlines learning objectives related to conservation, energy reduction, and the potential for zero-energy buildings. Additionally, it details the historical context, principles of design, benefits of the standard, and calls for global architectural efforts to meet stringent energy performance targets.

1. PASSIVE HOUSE
An introduction by Tim Eian,
Certified Passive House™ Consultant
1

2. “TE Studio, Ltd.” is a Registered Provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit
earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES
Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-
AIA members are available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content
that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or
endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any
method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing
in any material or product. Questions related to specific
materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the
conclusion of this presentation.
2

3. copyright materials
This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright
laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the
presentation without written permission of the speaker is
prohibited.
© TE Studio, Ltd. 2009
Certified Passive House™ and the related Logo are certification
marks owned by the Passive House Institute US | PHIUS and is
used by permission.
3

4. learning objectives
1. See the big picture: Global warming, CO2 and voluntary
building standards
2. Understand the concept of "Conservation First"
3. Know the history of the Certified Passive House™ building
energy standard
4. Understand how the Certified Passive House™ building
energy standard works
5. Understand Deep Energy Reduction Retrofit
6. Discuss issues surrounding the Certified Passive House™
building energy standard and its potential to generate zero-
energy, carbon-neutral, and net-energy positive buildings
4

5. THE BIG PICTURE
5

6. u.s. energy
consumption
25%
48%
27%
Buildings
Transportation
Industry
Source: architecture2030.com
6

7. u.s. electricity
consumption
1%
23%
76%
Buildings (Operation)
Industry
Transportation
Source: architecture2030.com
7

8. u.s. energy mix 2007
8%
7%
85%
Fossil
Renewable
Nuclear
Source: www.eia.doe.gov
8

9. co2 green house gas
Top CO2 Emitting Countries U.S. Fossil Carbon Emissions
(2005)
1. USA
2. Peoples Republic of
China
3. Russian Federation
4. India
5. Japan
Source: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/
9

10. global warming
10

11. energy independence
11

12. energy outlook
Source: International Energy Agency
12

13. solution
The change requires rigorous adjustment of the infrastructure
and an intelligent lifestyle.
SUPPLY DEMAND
Replace fossil fuels Significantly improve efficiency
13

14. architecture 2030
challenge
To accomplish this, Architecture 2030 has issued The 2030 Challenge asking the global architecture
and building community to adopt the following targets:
• All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel,
GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country)
average for that building type.
• At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a
fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional
(or country) average for that building type.
• The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings shall be increased to:
• 60% in 2010
• 70% in 2015
• 80% in 2020
• 90% in 2025
• Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).
These targets may be accomplished by implementing
innovative sustainable design strategies, generating
on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum)
renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.
Source: architecture2030.com
14

15. close to zero
LEED
Passive House
Net Energy Positive
15

16. “PASSIVHAUS”
passive house
building energy
standard
A rigorous, voluntary building energy standard
focusing on highest energy efficiency and quality of life
at low operating cost.
16

17. CONSERVATION
FIRST
17

18. conservation =
resource
Illinois Lo-Cal House, 1974
Source: PHIUS
18

19. back to the future
Source: PHIUS
19

20. first superinsulated
building envelope
Saskatchewan Conservation House
Saskatoon, Canada in 1977
20

21. passive
solar
design
21

22. passive solar design
vs. passive house
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN PASSIVE HOUSE BUILDING STANDARD
Building design concept Certified building energy standard
“Unlimited” energy use Limited energy use per square foot and year
Utilization of solar heat gains and internal
Utilization of solar heat gains (passive)
heat gains (passive)
Utilization of shading devices to control solar Utilizes shading devices and glazing to
heat gains control solar heat gains
Use of thermal mass for absorption and Use of superinsulation for retention of space
storage of solar energy conditioning energy
Use of thermal mass for time-release of
space conditioning energy (passive Use of ventilation system for distribution and
convection/radiation or active distribution recovery of heating energy
with mechanical system)
22

23. what happened?
23

24. the focus shifted
24

25. CERTIFIED
PASSIVE HOUSE™
TM
25

26. passive house
founders
Prof. Bo Adamson Dr. Wolfgang Feist
Sweden Germany
26

27. “passivhaus” & phi
1990
1996: PHI - Passiv Haus Institut
Source: Passiv Haus Institut
27

28. passive house u.s.
2008
Katrin Klingenberg Passive House Institute U.S.
28

29. 1st passive house in
the u.s.
Smith House - Urbana, IL - 2003 - e-colab (first built in the U.S.) - Zonee-colab
Source: 3
29

30. 1st
certified passive
house in the u.s.
Source: Stephan Tanner
30

31. case study:
urban passive house
31

32. basic design principle
First: Minimize losses
Then: Maximize gains
32

33. basic design principle
A building is already warm inside going from summer into
fall and winter
- Minimize heat loss through air-tightness, insulation,
advanced windows & doors, and heat-recovery ventilation—
retaining space-conditioning energy very effectively
+ Maximize passive solar heat gains through windows
+ Maximize internal heat gains from people and appliances
+ Additional heat comes from a tiny backup system for peak
heat-load
33

34. active vs. passive
“Active” Heating “Passive” System with
System 10 kW+ small post heater 1 kW
85 - 450 max. 15
kWh/m2 kWh/m2
Average existing building Passive House
Source: Krapmeier & Drössler 2001
34

35. Capitalized costs in
economy
Elimination of traditional heating system
Ultra low-energy building
Euro
Low-energy building
Passive House
Space-Conditioning Energy in kWh/(m2 a)
“Gas-Mileage for Buildings”
Source: Krapmeier & Drössler 2001
35

36. energy
90%+ reduction in space-conditioning energy consumption*
75%+ reduction in source-energy consumption*
Source: Krapmeier & Drössler 2001 *) compared to standard-practice code-compliant construction
36

37. “gas-mileage
for buildings”
Energy per square foot and year
37

38. space-conditioning
energy limit
Energy used to heat or cool a building
≤ 4,750 Btu/(sf yr)
38

39. source energy
Energy made at the provider (source)
≤ 11.1 kWh/(sf yr)
39

40. environment
40

41. health
41

42. comfort
42

43. durability
43

44. conscience
44

45. value
45

46. QUALITY OF LIFE
46

47. paradigm shifts
• Incrementalism is death!
• Leapfrog
• System versus component approach
47

48. schematic
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48

49. superinsulated
envelope
Compare to standard
2x4 wall thickness
Source: Waltjen 2007
49

50. 50

51. advanced windows &
doors
Source: Waltjen 2007
51

52. advanced windows &
doors
Image Source: PHI
Protokollband Nr. 24 (2003)
52

53. 53

54. 54

55. 55

56. 56

57. 57

58. 58

59. thermal bridge free
details
Source: Waltjen 2007
59

60. air-tightness
n50 ≤ 0.6 ACH
60

61. energy/heat recovery
ventilation
61

62. passive solar
heat gains
62

63. internal heat gains
Copyright Sony Pictures
63

64. backup heater
64

65. optional renewables
65

66. high-efficiency
appliances
Source: Ecodrain Source: Sun Frost
66

67. predictable outcome
& quality control
• Passive House Planning
Package (PHPP)
• Consider site, climate,
people, envelope,
mechanical system,
renewables, etc.
• Field testing &
third party verification
• Site supervision by Passive
House Consultant
67

68. field testing
68

69. think globally,
build locally.
• Passive House Standard performance requirements are
always the same, no matter where the building is built
• Climate zone and a building’s distinctive location impact the
design significantly
• Therefore, Passive Houses will look differently depending on
where they are located
69

70. DEEP ENERGY
REDUCTION
RETROFIT
70

71. key benefits
• 70–90% reduced energy bills
• Significantly reduced environmental impact and carbon
footprint
• Step towards energy independence
• Dramatically improved comfort & health
• Enhanced durability & reduced maintenance
• Integrated design—thoughtful approach to how all building
components work together (Systems approach)
• Improved survivability
• We can overcome energy obsolescence!
• Tremendous nation-wide energy-savings potential for existing
building stock
71

72. schematic
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72

73. derr in a nutshell
• Assess viability of existing structure and levels of
obsolescence
• Test and analyze existing performance
• Create strategy and design:
- Control heat, air, and moisture
- Make the house safe for people
- Take care of ventilation
- Make the envelope air-tight and weather-tight
- Add insulation per energy goal
• Assess moisture transfer through shell, and design assemblies
that will be air-tight but diffusion open
73

74. derr in a nutshell
• Demo and prepare existing building
• Establish air-tightness layer
• Test air-tightness layer
• Add (exterior) insulation package
• Install new doors and windows
• Add finishes
• Test air-tightness layer
• Add heat-recovery ventilation system
• Test ventilation system
• Adequately size mechanical system
• Add renewable energy package as desired
74

75. assembly
Existing Retrofit
STANDING SEAM METAL ROOFING
PLYWOOD & CONTINUOUS HIGH
TEMPERATURE ICE AND WATER SHIELD
2X4 SLEEPERS
PLYWOOD SHEATHING
SHEATHING XPS INSULATION
ROOF FRAMING, STO-GUARD, VAPOR RETARDER,
FIBERGLASS INSULATION AIR-TIGHTNESS LAYER, WIND-WASH BARRIER
T&G OSB SHEATHING,
EPS INSULATION
SEAL ALL JOINTS AIR-TIGHT!
CEILING FINISH
75

76. assembly
SIDING
PLYWOOD SHEATHING
CONTINUOUS XPS INSULATION
STO-GUARD
VAPOR RETARDER, AIR-TIGHTNESS LAYER,
WIND-WASH BARRIER
5/8" CEDAR SHEATHING, T&G OSB SHEATHING,
WALL FINISH WALL FINISH
BOARD & BATTEN SEAL ALL JOINTS AIR-TIGHT!
2X4 STUD WALL EXISTING 2X4 STUD WALL
POLY VAPOR RETARDER POLY VAPOR RETARDER
WITH FIBERGLASS INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
CANTILEVERED JOIST (DECK)
WALL FINISH
2X4 FRAMING, POLYISOCYANURATE
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
PROTECTIVE
FLOORING
SHEATHING
SHEATHING XPS INSULATION
2X6 I-JOIST SLEEPERS,
POLYISOCYANURATE WATER-PROOFING
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
CONCRETE WALL SEALED MEMBRANE
CONCRETE FLOOR
Existing Retrofit
76

77. ZERO ENERGY
77

78. close to zero
LEED
Passive House
Net Energy Positive
78

79. net zero site energy
(ZEB)
Energy produced on site
=
Energy consumed on site
Comment: Desirable minimum level for new construction
79

80. off-the grid
Energy produced on site
=
Energy consumed on site
Comment: Expensive, most useful in areas without grid
80

81. net-zero energy bill
$-value of energy sold
=
$-value of energy purchased
81

82. net-zero source
energy
Energy produced on site
=
Energy consumed at provider including energy content of raw
materials, conversion and distribution
Comment: “True” zero energy level (for operation)
82

83. net-positive energy
(NPE)
Energy produced on site
>
Energy consumed on site
83

84. net-zero emissions
(ZEB outside us)
CO2 offset on site
≥
CO2 generated in source energy production at provider to
deliver site energy
Comment: Sustainability level (for operation)
84

85. “safe-the-planet”
level
Net Zero Energy Emissions + Net Positive Energy
Comment: Potential to offset others
85

86. save-the-planet house
Energy produced on site ≥ 3x energy consumed on site
86

87. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME!
QUESTIONS?
This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing
Education Systems Program
Dipl.-Ing. Tim Eian, Assoc. AIA
Certified Passive House™ Consultant
TE Studio, Ltd.
3429 Benjamin St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
www.teStudioLtd.com
612-246-4670
beautiful, resource-efficient buildings
87

88. resources
• www.passivehouse.us
• www.passiv.de
• www.timeian.com
88