Spotlight Article:
Climate House: Passive House as an Opportunity
Designing a new building in a flood zone can be a rigorous challenge but also an opportunity. In New York, Superstorm Sandy left behind devastated communities in low-lying coastal areas of Long Island. Some residents ...
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Living Lightly in Ithaca's EcoVillage
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When Ray Stiefel began planning his energy-efficient Passive House (PH) project in upstate New York, the net zero building concept was virtually unknown in the United States. It took seven years of discussion and research ... [continue reading]
Are We Ready for Better Buildings?
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I recently had a phone conversation with a frantic contractor who was in charge of a Passive House (PH) retrofit. He was in desperate need of an air-sealing specialist. The house was leaking almost a 700 ... [continue reading]
Air Sealing Challenges for Small Buildings
Even the smallest, simplest homes are hard to air seal to Passive House standards. [continue reading]
The Active World of Passive Houses
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The International Passive House Association estimates that there are around 40,000 certified Passive Houses (PHs) worldwide. Initially, that might seem like a large number; however, in a world with more than 7 billion inhabitants, even the most ... [continue reading]
Sequential Energy Upgrades
Your clients may not always have the budget to go "all the way," but this contractor's got a Passive House solution that's a real win-win. [continue reading]
Comparing Eight Cold-Climate PH Envelopes
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Passive Houses with different wall systems are studied to see what their life cycle energy and carbon savings are compared to conventionally built homes. [continue reading]
YesHaus
The story of how a small committed team in Bozeman, Montana, is quietly changing the way homes are built. [continue reading]
West Coast Passive House Meets Target
Olympia, Washington, is in a marine climate, but it’s a northern marine climate, not a beach-lounging one. Because Olympia has 5,130 heating degree-days (HDDs) on average—more than Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—clients of ... [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
