Great news about Passive House incentives in the state of California!

The California Energy-Smart Homes Program is a residential new construction and alterations program that provides incentives to adopt advanced energy measures and transition to all-electric construction. The program is an all-in-one solution that offers incentives for single family, duplex, townhome, multifamily low-rise, alterations, and accessory dwelling units. The Energy-Smart Homes Program is available to utility customers in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®),…


California Green Building Conference | Los Angeles

Passive House California (PHCA) showcased its mission at the California Green Building Conference, formerly known as MyGBCE, hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council California. As the largest and longest-running event for green building enthusiasts in the state, this conference has grown into a comprehensive sustainability experience. PHCA had the opportunity to introduce the benefits of the international Passive House construction standard to new audiences and reconnect with long-time supporters.…


Passive House | Project Tour

“Passive House SB9 & ADUs in CA’s Milder Climates” marked the first in-person Passive House California home tour in West Los Angeles, held in May 2024. Visitors had the unique opportunity to explore an all electric small-scale Passive House Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and a Single-Family Residence under SB9, both under construction in Los Angeles and designed by PARAVANT Architects. During the tour, attendees observed the installation of dense pack…


California Green Building Conference 2024

We’re excited to be a part of the California Green Building Conference to work together towards a greener future for all in our state . Explore the latest developments in green building, innovative products and companies, and enjoy socializing with our community! The California Green Building Conference features: Insightful conversations: Table topics guided by field experts over lunch Workshop sessions and panel presentations Unparalleled Networking: Network with over 2,500+ companies,…


PHN Education Fellowship for Black Architects & Recent Graduates

Representation matters - Apply today to unlock exclusive benefits, training, mentorship, & more. PHN has established the PHN Passive House Education Fellowship. PHN invites all Black architects and engineers who have a commitment to sustainable building to apply and participate. Participants will receive a 50% discount on PHN’s Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) course price, inclusive of exam + 1-year NAPHN Membership. In addition, NAPHN will actively mentor and connect…


2024 Call for Passive House California Board Membership

Passive House California is guided by a Board of Directors. Our bylaws allow for five (5) to eleven (11) board members with two-year-long terms. Our annual elections, open to current PHCA members in good standing, are held in January to fill any open seats. For more information see our bylaws. There is no limit to the number of eligible candidates that may nominate themselves for a seat. The newly elected…



Passive House California Virtual Community Meeting | Exterior Shading Devices | Recording

In most of California’s climate zones it makes sense to select and position shading devices can have significant impact on comfort and energy consumption. Taking advantage of solar heat gain (SHG) in winter can significantly reduce heating demand, while minimizing SHG in the warmer months can moderate cooling demand and avoid overheating. The presentation will: Share results of studies showing the most effective ways to employ solar shading Review differences…


iPHA at COP28

iPHA is excited to announce our speaking engagement at the building pavilion during COP28, in collaboration with the GlobalABC. On 10 December, we'll present alongside esteemed organizations such as the European Solar Shading Organization, the American Institute of Architects, and the World Green Building Council. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the strength of the iPHA network. Notably, the GlobalABC will emphasise the "Buildings breakthrough agenda," further underlining the significance of sustainable building…


New analysis finds Passive House designs for single-family homes will best protect Californians’ health, safety, and comfort from worsening impacts of climate change

SAN FRANCISCO — As extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and climate disasters have battered California in recent years, a new analysis published Wednesday, Nov. 29, finds that constructing new single-family homes to all-electric Passive House standards is the best way to protect residents from the worsening impacts of climate changes, while also safeguarding power grids as the state transitions to clean energy. The research offers first-of-its-kind analysis and data on 11…



The Power of Existing Buildings | Save money, improve health, and reduce environmental impacts

Carl Elefante was right when he said, “no amount of new green construction will get us where we need to go if we ignore existing buildings.” Four out of five existing buildings will require renovation over the next generation. Well-planned, deep energy retrofits ensure cost-effectiveness, longevity, and comfort. Existing buildings have the power to meaningfully change the calculus of reaching a zero emissions future. In order to ensure the costs…