The fundamentals of Passive House design and construction deliver “high performance buildings” in terms of energy efficiency, comfort, healthy indoor air quality, durability, and lower cost of maintenance. The ways in which different groups of stakeholders’ experience and benefit from those performance factors will vary based on the needs, priorities, and preferences of the stakeholders. Scroll down to learn about whether and how Passive House protocols align with the goals your organization, and/or your area of responsibility.

Passive House is becoming the standard

“The writing on the wall is that Passive standards are the future of the building industry, and more and more cities are looking for ways to support reaching those standards.”
– Posted on NAPHN Website from EMU Systems

“Providing incentives for net zero passive house technologies will hasten acceptance in the marketplace and its adoption into the building codes, and in our uncertain climate future, this is good public policy.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com

“A good first step is changing building codes to emphasize net zero and passive house level energy efficiency.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com

“Such code changes will ensure that all new structures achieve significant and permanent energy reductions.”
– Bloomberg Environment.com

Developing and administering policies is challenging

Staff and policymakers must navigate the rules and procedures that they themselves must follow, and at the same time, develop, manage, and enforce the codes, guidelines, and procedures that building professionals are required to follow.

Passive House standards provide a rational path forward

The clarity, logic, and comprehensive simplicity of Passive House protocols, and the well-documented positive impacts of following those protocols make Passive House a workable, and common-sense approach that can be helpful to jurisdictions in crafting and implementing policies.

  • Passive House California is an ally and stands ready to provide education, examples, and connections to support the evolution of building codes and processes toward a carbon free, all renewable, and equitable future
  • There are currently jurisdictions in California that have incorporated building blocks of Passive House design and construction into sustainability initiatives, guidelines, building back from the wildfires, and selected RFPs for jurisdiction-controlled projects

Association with the Passive House community has value

Connections:

  • Staff and leadership of agencies and jurisdictions are able to meet, interact, exchange ideas, and learn from one another through the networking and exchange of ideas associated with PHCA events
  • Sharing information and lessons learned can inform and improve decision making across organizations, while avoiding the re-invention of successful initiatives, policies, and procedures

Intelligence and Evidence:

  • Access to the collection of data, documentation, case studies, information and outcomes available from PHCA, NAPHN, and iPHA can be valuable as agencies or jurisdictions define, launch, evaluate, and optimize rules, programs, and initiatives

Assistance:

  • Local and national support from the Passive House community can assist policymakers with input and feedback in driving adoption and compliance with high-performance and sustainable standards

Traction:

  • COVID, wildfires, smoke, and increasing awareness of the climate crisis have dramatically accelerated interest in, and adoption of, building standards that deliver extreme energy efficiency, fire resistance, and healthy indoor air quality
  • Passive House protocols and tools are proven to be valuable resources in the development and implementation of guidelines, policies, and codes

Environmental Responsibility

Agencies, jurisdictions, policymakers and staff who embrace Passive House design and construction are makingin the transition to healthy, comfortable, durable, energy and resource efficient buildings and communities throughout California — a responsible choice for occupants, communities, and the future of the planet.

Passive House California

“Please consider joining PHCA as a Member or Sponsor — or registering for upcoming training to become a CPHD/C or Tradesperson — or contact us with any questions or requests at info@passivehousecal.org”