Rebuilding Incentives for Sustainable Electric Homes: How this new program works with homeowners and builders to help those who need it most

By Passive House California , March 20, 2026 - Community Meeting, Featured Articles, News

Passive House California has a new partner in our effort to create a carbon-neutral, all renewable energy future! RISE Homes is a program mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission and funded by the state’s six investor-owned electric utilities to incentivize all-electric home rebuilding after natural disasters. Join us for our next Community Meeting, Tuesday, April 21st from noon-1 p.m. to learn about RISE Homes, a $50 million program designed to…

Up to $45,000 ($30,000) Incentive for All-Electric Certified Passive House Homes in California

By Passive House California , March 13, 2026 - Featured Articles, News, Press Release

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has announced a new opportunity for homeowners rebuilding after wildfires and other natural disasters. Through the Rebuilding Incentives for Sustainable Electric Homes (RISE Homes) program, eligible Californians can receive financial assistance when reconstructing all-electric homes. Homeowners can qualify for incentives—up to $45,000—if the new home is designed and certified as a Passive House. A Passive House Standard follows rigorous design principles that dramatically improve energy performance. By combining a…

PHCA Community Meeting | Hidden Impacts of Plastic Building Products

By Passive House California , March 12, 2026 - Community Meeting

Plastics are almost entirely derived from fossil fuels and generate pollution throughout their life cycle, including greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, toxic chemicals and microplastics that impact human health and the environment, and waste that lasts for centuries on land and in waterways. Many individuals and organizations are becoming increasingly concerned about plastic pollution, but most people don’t realize that the building and construction sector is the second…

What’s in a name? History and precedents to PassivHaus

By Passive House California , March 3, 2026 - Community Meeting

Have you ever encountered confusion when discussing PassivHaus? Or is it Passive House? And what about Passive Solar – what does that have to do with it?   What does a German Standard have to do with building in California? Let’s look back in history at the ideas and case studies that influenced the creation of the first Passive House standard.   Considering the American and Canadian context, we’ll untangle trends and…

The Updated Heat Pump Certification Criteria is Now Available (PHI)

By Passive House California , March 3, 2026 - News, Research, Ventilation

As heat pumps become increasingly essential for transforming the building energy system for efficient heating and cooling, the Passive House Institute has revised its scheme for testing and certifying heat pump systems, with a special focus on solutions suitable for Passive House buildings. PHI has now issued the updated and consolidated certification criteria and testing procedures for heat pumps and related combi-systems. This ensures even greater clarity, transparency, and reliability…

Call for designPH Models by PHI

By Passive House California , March 3, 2026 - News

PHI is collecting exemplary designPH models to showcase the diversity and creativity of highly efficient building design. Designers and consultants are invited to contribute images of their designPH models for potential inclusion in upcoming materials. To participate, please complete the permission form linked below, where you can also submit your contribution. SUBMIT YOUR DESIGN PH MODEL

ARCHITECTURAL RECORD features Passive House

By Passive House California , February 12, 2026 - Member News, News

PHLA+, Certified Passive House Plus, Los Angeles

The January 2026 issue of Architectural Record features an article by Joann Gonchar, FAIA, exploring how the International Passive House standard is shaping fire-resilient rebuilding efforts one year after the devastating Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires. The article highlights the California Rebuild Competition, organized by Passive House Network (PHN) and Passive House California (PHCA). The competition challenged architects to demonstrate how high-performance design, airtight construction, and balanced ventilation can contribute…

The California Passive House Rebuilds Catalog

By Passive House California , February 5, 2026 - Featured Articles, News, Press Release

Last year, the Passive House Network, in collaboration with Passive House California, held the California Rebuilds Design Competition to challenge and inspire the rebuilding efforts in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. We received dozens of entries from designers around the world, and now we’re thrilled to be able to make those entries accessible to everyone. We’re launching The California Rebuilds Catalog, available for free online, to show what Passive House…

Certified Passive House ADU in Los Angeles

By Passive House California , January 27, 2026 - Member News

A Los Angeles Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) has been certified by the International Passive House Institute (PHI). Congratulations to the entire project team on this achievement. The all-electric, fossil-fuel-free ADU is a two-story, 900-square-foot residence featuring two bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Designed to meet the rigorous Passive House standard, the project incorporates a high-performance building envelope, efficient heat pump systems, and on-site solar photovoltaic generation—demonstrating how compact urban housing can deliver…

Passive House & Carbon-Storing Straw Panels

By Passive House California , January 20, 2026 - Community Meeting, News

Verdant Building Products is introducing a new generation of carbon-storing building materials. In this webinar, Anthony Dente will discuss his work in code and design development of bio-based building systems that have enabled broader adoption of materials such as straw-insulated panels. The presentation will feature a patented structural insulated panel with a straw-based insulation matrix that stores carbon while meeting the cost, thermal performance, and wall-thickness requirements of energy-efficient, conventional wood construction. The use of straw supports local, circular supply…