Imagine buildings so well constructed they need virtually no heating or cooling and can cut normal utility bills by 50%–80%. Now imagine these buildings are also so airtight there is almost no air leakage or outside street noise, yet they provide healthy, fresh, filtered air throughout the day whether windows or doors are open or not. Moreover, these buildings are not dark boxes with tiny windows, but light, bright, spacious…
Passive House California is pleased to announce that we have joined the Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C) in support of our aligned efforts to “Advance Equitable Climate Solutions”. 4C’s focus is on California’s central coast, where PHCA is engaged with several jurisdictions, and other entities related to environmentally responsible design and building. We are looking forward to positive synergy from our combined efforts. If you would like to know more…
When we think of Passive Houses, the first things that usually come to mind are airtightness (0.6 ACH50), above-average insulation levels, and whole-house ventilation. However, there are some additional subtleties to Passive House certification that are often overlooked. One of those subtleties that can be problematic is the Minimum Temperature Factor. This is a unitless value that indicates the likelihood that a location in the building has the potential to…
3C-REN is considering offering a Certified Passive House Tradesperson training through the industry leading training provider Emu Systems. Before bringing this course to the Central Coast, 3C-REN is looking for interested individuals to ensure we can meet the minimum attendance. As of now this 5-day in-person course would be held sometime in 2022 and include: • Two-day classroom training • Two-day hands-on Passive Pod workshop • Half-day exam and optional…
Architecture at Zero is a design competition for decarbonization, equity and resilience, open to students and professionals worldwide. It serves to engage the fields of architecture, design, engineering and planning in the pursuit of sustainable design. The 2021-22 competition challenges entrants to develop affordable housing for farmworker families in Visalia, California, one of the world’s most productive farming regions. The 2021-22 Competition award announcement that took place on February 11, 2022. Click…
Industrialized wood construction through well managed forest resources can reduce wildfire risk, while delivering decarbonized buildings that are healthier for occupants, assembled rapidly, and adaptable. Passive House is a global ultra low-energy building standard that offers resilience in the face of wildfires, energy insecurity, and a warming world. Regenerative Construction Ecosystems is a free 6-hour symposium, over two days, focused on how wood industrialized construction deployed to meet the Passive…
The Switch Is On will support people in swapping out their gas-powered appliances for cleaner, safer, and more resilient electric appliances. As someone who has already begun electrifying my home, I know that this is one of the most effective and impactful ways we can build a better energy future. Most homes in California burn natural gas or propane for space heating, water heating, and cooking. These gases—like crude oil or…
The entire team from Passive House California (PHCA) wishes you a Happy New Year 2022.
It will be conducted in the tri-county area of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. If your zip code is within that area, and you are potentially interested, please take a few moments to fill out the form. If you are interested but live and work outside of the 3C-REN area, you are also welcome to fill out the form and include questions about whether and how you…
From all of us at Passive House California (PHCA), we wish you a very happy holiday season. Consider becoming a member or recommending a friend.
Passive House Institute points way to climate-friendly buildings. The topic of energy efficiency is often woefully neglected in discussions on climate protection. However, buildings-related emissions can only be significantly reduced by consuming less energy for heating and cooling. The Passive House Institute presents its proposed solutions for a climate-friendly building stock in three “building blocks”: A substantially higher level of energy efficiency of buildings; on-site generation of renewable energy; and a…
Thank you, Mitsubishi Electric for renewing your Passive House California sponsorship. Mitsubishi Electric’s leadership in variable capacity heat pumps makes them an excellent fit for high-performance homes and Passive House California is proud to have them continue as a Supporting Sponsor. Their all-electric HVAC systems are quiet and efficient, available in a variety of ducted and ductless styles as well as capacities, and they allow for zoning. For those reasons,…
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