Zero Emissions Buildings as the Framework for our Future

What do Zero Emissions Buildings look like? The Department of Energy has just finalized an official definition. The new guidance outlines three pillars of a Zero Emissions Building: energy efficient, free of onsite emissions from energy use, and powered solely from clean energy. The definition includes different compliance options for new and existing buildings, but in either case requires zero onsite emissions (with an exception for emergency backup in case…


The latest issue of PASSIVE HOUSE + Magazine

Passive House Plus (Sustainable Building) is the world's first English language magazine focused on building and upgrading to the world's leading low energy standard - passive house (or Passivhaus if you prefer). Published in separate UK and Irish editions, the magazine's focus extends beyond energy efficiency into sustainable building more generally, taking in indoor air quality, water usage and the environmental impact of materials. READ THE MOST RECENT ONLINE EDITION


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…


Make your own judgement!

Passive House Open Days will take place for the 20th time: 10 - 12 November Residents are opening their Passive House buildings for the 20th time. Interested parties can see the benefits of high energy efficiency for themselves. The Passive House Open Days will again take place on the second weekend in November. From 10 to 12 November 2023, many buildings around the world will be open to the public.…


Efficiency Promotes Social Justice

Darmstadt/Wiesbaden, Germany. Highly energy-efficient buildings are indispensable for climate protection. The 26th International Passive House Conference demonstrated that a high energy efficiency is also necessary for other reasons: social justice, good air quality for example in schools and health care buildings, and protecting the power grid against overloading are other good reasons to build and retrofit buildings in a better way. "So much of the Passive House is about health…


Welcome Earth Bound Homes

Passive House California is delighted to welcome Earth Bound Homes as a Supporting Sponsor. Their commitment to “Building a Better Way” is well aligned with Passive House protocols and results in homes that are very energy efficient, provide healthy indoor air quality, are resilient to extreme weather, wildfires and the associated smoke, as well as power outages, and are environmentally responsible. In the words of David Edwards, PhD, Founder/CEO —…



Press Release | Efficiency – when, if not now?

Advantages of high energy-efficiency – Passive House Energy costs are currently at a record high and a cause of great concern for many people. Highly energy-efficient buildings provide advantages: they require much less energy for heating and cooling, saving residents a lot of money on energy costs in this way. Climate protection also benefits from the lower energy consumption of buildings. It is therefore worthwhile, especially now, to focus on…


Press Release | Special feature: 4 x Passive House!

Climate-friendly buildings take off: Passive Houses certified in Munich and Argentina Darmstadt/Munich/Buenos Aires: Climate-friendly buildings are becoming increasingly popular: a higher energy efficient standard means lower energy consumption, resulting in lower energy costs and less carbon emissions. The Passive House Institute has registered a worldwide increase in projects. Certification is voluntary but plays a central role in quality assurance. The research institute in Darmstadt recently awarded Passive House certificates to…


Passive House Hospital | Press Release

Hospital 3.0: modern & energy-efficient | Frankfurt hospital the first to be awarded Passive House certificate Darmstadt/Frankfurt, Germany.  This modern and climate-friendly hospital in Germany truly is part of a new generation. The new building of the Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst has been successfully implemented to meet the Passive House standard. This makes it the first hospital in the world to receive a Passive House certificate. The Minister of Economic Affairs of…


An investigation into policies driving Passive House adoption in North America (Passive House Network)

“This is an overview of the existing policies in place that were designed to accelerate Passive House adoption across the U.S. They are based on the input received at an informal gathering convened by PHN on November 6, 2020, where we gathered representatives from across North America to share information regarding policies in place in their specific regions. (This report was updated in April 2022 to include new measures and…


The Keys to Successful Passive House Implementation

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…