FAQ About Passive Houses:
1. What Is a Passive House? Energy Efficient
A Passive House combines high level comfort with very low energy consumption. It makes efficient use of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery ventilation to such a standard that conventional heating systems are virtually rendered unnecessary. Energy-Efficient and comfortable!
A Passive House enjoys a comfortable temperature winter or summer and much higher air quality than traditional construction.
What is so special about a Passive House?
"Passive" refers to the mechanical and structural systems that are typically necessary in standard construction. In priMe haBitat's current passive house project in Kelowna, BC, we will use more "passive" solutions to cut down on the requirements for heating and cooling of the home. Advanced insulation application techniques, for example, as well as positioning on the lot for maximum solar gain in the winter, and minimum solar gain in the summer. Smart, simple, energy efficient design that reduces the draw typically required from mechanical systems in standard construction.
It eliminates what is know as "thermal bridging" through it's design... those pathways through the studs in the walls that lose heat in the winter, and air-conditioned cooling in the summer. These thermal bridges typical in standard builds 
(shown in the thermal-image picture on the left), and are what makes standard builds so inefficient.
A great benefit of this home is that it will have the best indoor air quality and ventilation possible. But the true beauty of a Passive House is it's unparalleled comfort, all by using 'Passive' building strategies. Due to it's design, it will be quiet.. it will reduce the noise coming from outside of the house (traffic, sirens, partying neighbours, airplanes..), and reduce the internal noise typically emitted from active mechanical systems.
Perhaps the most intriguing things about Passive House is that the benefits are measurable. It employs a relatively simple ideological shift in design & build techniques, however, Passive House standards are some of the most stringent, measurable principals in building today.
A Passive House cannot be built without it going through a relatively sophisticated design module that takes into account everything from your location on the map to the number of occupants in the house. For it to be a Passive House, it must be tested by a third-party during the build to ensure it meets the strict guidelines set out by the International Passive House institute in Germany. Beyond many 'energy-efficient' type of buildings we hear about today that only employ what is called 'green bling' strategies (solar panels, geo-thermal etc), Passive House solves many of the problems at the start- eliminating the need for 'green bling' solutions. Solar panels and other energy-efficient add-ons can most definitely be used on top of Passive House design for additional benefits, but the goal of Passive House is to "reduce, reduce, reduce!"
2. What is the Extra Cost of Building a House to the Passive House Standard? Is it a Good Investment?
On average, in Canada, a Passive Home costs approximately 10% more in initial construction costs when compared to building a standard "code" home. (However, this varies by design and lot choice, so ensure you speak to us prior to purchasing a building site. Our experience can save you thousands). Savings in operational costs make the overall expense of a passive house similar to a standard-built home over time.
Are Passive Houses a good investment? Yes, absolutely – with an 80 – 90% reduction in annual heating/cooling fuel consumption the energy savings will cancel out much of the increased up-front investment cost of increased insulation, better-quality windows and ventilation systems.
Based on the estimates of our newest passive house build, the owner will pay in the neighbourhood of $300- $400 annually for heating and cooling.
3. Do Passive Houses use Solar Panels, Geothermal Systems and Wind Generators to achieve their Excellent Energy Efficiency Performance?
No they don’t. It is very important to distinguish between the thermal performance or efficiency of a building and sources used to heat and cool it. 
Solar panels, geothermal systems and wind turbines are external, bolted-on (and generally expensive) renewable energy systems which do not affect the thermal efficiency of the house itself. In a Passive House the primary goal is to achieve a superbly well-insulated and tightly sealed building envelope, then introduce fresh air in winter via a very high-efficiency heat recovery ventilation system.
Technologies like solar and geothermal systems can be used as a bonus on Passive Houses and are often installed if the budget permits.
4. Can a Building Really Stay Warm Without a Conventional Heating or Cooling system?
Passive House certified buildings have proven over time that it is possible to build structures requiring so little energy, that convential heating and cooling systems are unnecessary. During cold periods, the small amount of heat that can be added to incoming fresh air through a ventilation system is sufficient to keep a Passive House at a comfortable temperature. During warmer periods, strategic shading and ventilation design is typically enough to keep a Passive House comfortably cool. Different areas have different design guidelines and requirements. Measurements in Passive House subdivisions have proven that Passive Houses keep energy requirements consistantly and predictably low: the expected consumption agrees well with average actual consumption, even given a great variety of the homeowners' habits and lifestyles.
5. Can Passive House's air-tight construction lead to moisture or air quality problems?
People are sometimes concerned that an air-tight envelope of a Passive House will result in stale indoor air quality. However, the majority of moisture and mold problems in a house is due to poorly controlled air movement. A superior mechanical ventilation system and heat recovery unit assures superior air-quality by continuously exchanging stale air with fresh air. By constantly replacing stale air, moisture is safely removed, as well as other potentially unhealthy pollutants. A Passive House is extremely comfortable, and has the highest air quality possible in a home.
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