Rethinking The Passive House Message [Video]

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The passive house idea began in Germany in the 1990s as a way to make buildings more energy efficient. People and businesses spend a lot of money to heat their homes, factories, retail spaces, and offices, usually by burning fossil fuels. Not only is that expensive, it also creates huge amounts of carbon dioxide emissions that are the primary cause of global heating. In the US, the Passive House Network was established in 2011 to promote the passive house concepts in America.

On its website, PHN says that most buildings, even “green” buildings, are uncomfortable, use too much energy, provide poor indoor air quality, and are expensive to operate. It says the building industry is generally confused about what drives performance, but its programs demystify the impact of design and construction choices, raise expectations, and transform how you think and work. It offers …