A Developer’s

Guide to Passive
House Buildings
An industry resource for designing and constructing
Passive House (Passivhaus) buildings in Canada.
Fort St. John Passive House
FORT ST JOHN, BC
Velvet Leaf Photography
Presented by Passive House Canada, the national association advocating for
healthier, more comfortable buildings that contribute to a sustainable future.

This guide outlines the process and resources that will enable you to become a successful Passive House developer.
Please contact us for further information about training or membership; we are always happy to help.

Email [email protected] or call 778-265-2744.

Contents

1. What is Passive House Page 2

2. Benefits for buyers and occupants Page 3

3. Benefits for developers and builders Page 4

4. What does Passive House measure? Page 6

5. Designing and building: Key steps for success Page 8

6. Why the Passive House Standard? Page 10

7. Resources and next steps Page 11

8. Additional information Page 12

For upcoming courses and training go to passivehousecanada.com/training

 What is Passive House?
It is a building standard, considered the most rig- It’s not passive and it’s not just for houses. The
orous voluntary energy-based standard in the design name comes from the German “Passivhaus”. It is
and construction industry today, resulting in buildings passive only in the sense that the building envelope
that consume up to 90 percent less heating and cool- does most of the work to maintain comfortable tem-
ing energy than conventional buildings. Applicable to peratures, permitting simpler, smaller mechanical
almost any building type or design, the Passive House systems. It strives for simplicity but is hardly passive.
(Passivhaus) high performance building standard is “Haus” can in fact mean any kind of building, includ-
internationally recognized, science-based and proven. ing multifamily housing, offices and schools. Loosely
translated Passivhaus means “super-efficient-comfort-
It is a methodology, a way of designing a building
able-building.”
to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and superior
thermal comfort. First, one looks to minimize heating It applies to new and existing buildings. The Ener-
and cooling loads through passive measures like mass- PHit certification criteria provide a proven and finan-
ing, insulation, high quality windows, passive solar cially viable methodology for deep energy retrofits.
energy, shading and elimination of thermal bridges.
Because a Passive House building is so airtight, it
requires balanced and controlled ventilation with high
quality heat exchange to provide fresh air at all times. Generally any building type can be
All the building information is entered into a design certified as a Passive House project. It’s
tool — the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) not limited to residential buildings.
— which is essential for designing a Passive House
building.

Bahnstadt Passivhaus
Heidelberg, Germany
Image courtesy of the Passive House Institute
 Alta Lake Passive House Rainbow Passive House
Whistler, BC Whistler, BC
Photo Credit: David McColm

What are the benefits for buyers and occupants?

1 Comfort, with unprecedented thermal balance. Because of the thick blanket of insulation and elimi-
nation of thermal bridges, there are no cold or hot spots. Temperatures are stable and consistent from
floor to ceiling.

2
A healthy environment, with great indoor air quality. A heat recovery ventilation system ensures a sup-
ply of fresh clean air all year round. A Passive House-certified ventilation system delivers the air silently
without drafts to every occupied space, and exhausts stale air where moisture or odors exist.

3 A quiet setting, with acoustic separation from the street and neighbors. The thicker insulation, careful
sealing and triple glazing cut out a lot of exterior noise.

4
A well-functioning building, with simplicity of operation. The need for complex and expensive
technology or controls is greatly reduced; it’s all about careful design, simple and durable systems, and
quality construction.

5 An affordable home or building, with significantly reduced maintenance and energy costs. Operating
costs are far lower than conventional buildings.

6
Resilience, with the ability to shelter-in-place in a power outage in the dead of winter or a summer heat
wave. Passive House buildings are resilient in the face of changes in energy pricing, technology and
climate, providing a long-term assurance of affordability.

7 Market value. High quality, efficient buildings currently have a higher value and, with such buildings
becoming more widespread, the resale price of highly efficient buildings will become more obvious.

8 Peace of mind. A special comfort is derived from a truly sustainable building. With the knowledge it
was built better, buyers and tenants feel better.

3
 What are the benefits for developers and builders?

1 More saleable floor area. Municipal governments are aware of the important role buildings play in
reducing emissions in their community. Many consider the benefits a Passive House building brings to
the community when making density decisions during rezoning or development permitting, and some
have explicit policies to encourage such development.

2
Approvals and permits are likely to be faster, because Passive House aligns with government policies
on energy and carbon reduction. Experience indicates neighbours and neighbourhood associations are
often pleased to see high quality and sustainable construction add value to their neighbourhood.

3
Fewer change orders and construction delays. A Passive House building requires detailed design
and component specification well before a building permit is issued, resulting in more complete con-
tract documents. This detailed work represents an incremental investment in design but avoids prob-
lems during construction.

4
Fewer callbacks and warranty claims. The level of inspection and documentation during the construc-
tion phase is more rigorous than conventional construction, and is likely to catch problems before it is
too late to fix them.

5
A marketing edge over conventional buildings. Being able to offer seriously lower heating and cool-
ing costs is obvious, but so is comfort — no drafts, no hot and cold spots. Those living on busy roads
will appreciate the quiet provided by triple glazed windows and extra insulation. Higher quality can be
marketed based on the obviously better windows, silent ventilation and the level of inspection.

6 A higher sale price because of the lower operating costs and perceived higher quality. Hard construc-
tion costs are only slightly higher, and the higher cost for windows and insulation is often offset by a
more efficient building form and lower costs for heating and cooling equipment.

7 There are not a lot of expensive green gizmos. It’s not about adding “green bling” but about keeping
it simple. If a net zero building is desired, fewer solar panels are required; instead you invest in building
better to reduce demand. In the end this costs less and is easier to maintain and manage.

8 Build bigger and better more easily. As Passive House design focuses on the building envelope, and
in a multifamily building there is less envelope per square foot of floor area than in a single family house,
it is actually easier to achieve Passive House performance in multifamily buildings, with a lesser cost
premium than in smaller projects.

4
 Fort St. John Passive House
FORT ST JOHN, BC
Velvet Leaf Photography

Appeal to growing markets

Climate change and the state of the environment are Building energy efficiency is valued by buyers, as
critical issues to many buyers, who will appreciate the shown by early Passive House sales and survey data. A
far lower carbon footprint inherent in a Passive House 2016 survey, conducted by BC Hydro, of BC residents
building. Conventional buildings consume up to 40 planning to purchase or build a home found 92-94%
percent of global energy use and contribute up to 30 consider energy efficiency a marketable feature in a
percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. home, 76% agree high performance homes provide
Those who care about this issue recognize that the high levels of comfort, health and quality. Only 2-3%
Passive House model is one of the most effective ways felt it does not really matter.
of reducing carbon emissions.

Resilience is a consideration for many, with increasing Health and wellness is an important factor, with
variability in weather and concerns about the security indoor and outdoor air quality becoming a growing
of the electrical grid in the face of natural disturbances. concern. Passive House designs have mechanical
The high level of insulation and air tightness keeps a ventilation systems that deliver clean fresh air to each
Passive House building comfortable for far longer than individual unit year round.
a normal building.

5
 What does the Passive House Standard actually measure?
Primarily, Passive House limits energy consumption Primary Energy: total energy to be used in the
and air leakage. The targets for heating and cooling building operations (heating + cooling + lighting +
are up to 90 percent less than average buildings in equipment + hot water + plug loads, etc.) is limited to
Canada, and total energy consumption is often 50 a specified number of kilowatt hours per square meter
percent less than average. However, it’s not just of Treated Floor Area per year, varying with the level of
about energy; Passive House buildings must also meet certification and use of renewable energy.
specific ventilation and comfort criteria. The Standard
Airtight Enclosure: Allowable limit of 0.6 air changes
is designed to ensure certified buildings perform as
per hour at 50 Pascals pressure (ACH50) that is veri-
expected, providing exceptional comfort, air quality
fied with an onsite blower door test (pressurized and
and efficiency while also avoiding condensation. Ven-
depressurized)
tilation equipment must operate silently, and provide
simple controls and servicing. Retrofits: Performance criteria are modified for ret-
rofits and certification can be based either on perfor-
Space Heating Energy Demand: 15 kilowatt hours
mance or prescriptive measures. A long term retrofit
per square meter of Treated Floor Area demand per
plan can be developed at the outset, enabling step by
year or 10 Watts per square meter peak load.
step retrofits as building components require renew-
Space Cooling Energy Demand: matches the heat al. This is often the most economic approach, and
demand/load requirements but with a small addition- enables long term planning with measurable goals.
al allowance for dehumidification.

Passive House Classifications (see details on Page 10)

Premium
≥ 120
Renewable energy
generation
[kWhPER/(m2ground*a)]
≤ 30
≥ 60 Plus

≤ 45
Classic
Renewable primary
energy demand
[kWhPER/(m2TFA*a)]

≤ 60
© Passive House Institute

6
 Alta Lake Passive House
Whistler, BC
Photo Credit: David McColm

7
 Designing and building: Key steps for success

spreadsheet containing location specific climate data

1. Become informed where everything connects, so if a window gets big-
ger here, then you need to add more insulation there;
An understanding of the principles and practices of
it is all about finding the right balance.
high performance building design and construction
enables better decisions. Continue your education
with a course appropriate for your needs. Passive
House Canada offers a full range of courses from a one 4. Hire professionals who “get it”
day introduction to multi-day design and construction The architect, engineers and contractor must all see
training, and specialized master classes. Information the value and understand the consequences of being
on our educational program can be found at hired to design and build a Passive House building.
www.passivehousecanada.com/training More in Passive House design than anywhere else, less
is more. That’s why it is important to hire professionals
right down the line who are Passive House trained.
2. Keep it simple Passive House Designers and Consultants are essential
to the design process, and contractors should have a
Constructing a Passive House building successfully
Certified Passive House Tradesperson on staff. They
and economically requires commitment from the
know what is critical to hit the numbers on a blower
beginning, and it does affect the design. For exam-
test, and such a team can be more united than might
ple, an essential factor in designing a Passive House
be expected on a traditional project — seeking com-
building is developing a simple concept for a compact
mon and measurable goals, for profound results.
building form. A simple thermal envelope that is easy
to build offers the greatest opportunity for cost savings A directory of Passive House professionals in Canada
and efficiency gains. Every jog, every bump is another can be found at www.passivehousecanada.com/
opportunity for a thermal bridge, which will add com- certified-professionals
plication and costs. Windows have to be used carefully
and selectively to frame views and optimize solar gain;
they are not walls. 5. Use Certified Passive House products
and components

3. Use the Passive House Planning Package Where available, certified components provide assur-
software ance your performance goals will be met.

The designer puts the building design information A good example is the window; a relatively expensive
into the PHPP model, which is essentially an advanced component in Passive House construction. The interi-
or surface temperature of the window should not be
more than 3ºC cooler than the interior air temperature;
data including U-value of both frame and glass, solar
Passive House buildings consume heat gain coefficient (SHGC), Psi-value of both the

up to 90% less
glazing spacer bar as well as the install detail and the
width of the frame for top, side and bottom have to all
be supplied. It is simply easier and cheaper in the end
heating and cooling energy than
to use a certifed product than provide testing and data
conventional buildings.
yourself.

8
For approved Passive House components see
www.passipedia.org/certification/passive_house_ 7. Certification for quality assurance
suitable_components
What gets measured, gets managed, so stick to it and
apply for building certification. When you build to the
specifications calculated using the Passive House Plan-
6. Build it right ning Package (PHPP) energy model, you can achieve
Introduce your construction team to the reality of a highly predictable result, and this is where you will
airtightness at the construction start. Have a meeting save on changes, call backs and warranty claims.
of key personnel to clarify all questions regarding the There are several building certifiers in Canada and
air barrier: its components, its installation, protection, engaging them at the start of a project reduces the risk
testing and repair. Run a blower-door test and have of compromises, which can result in poorly working
the carpenters, plumbers, electricians and duct install- systems, moisture damage, tenant dissatisfaction, a
ers feel air leaks. Air leaks are easily understood and loss of predictability and failure to achieve the project
can unify the many trades in common cause to build goals.
high quality. For the building certification process and Canadian
certifiers see www.passivehousecanada.com/
passive-house-building-certification

The Heights
VANCOUVER, BC

9
 Why the International Passive House Standard?
With over 50,000 Passive House buildings completed A BIM interface is being developed, and common
around the world, and 25 years of monitoring and thermal and moisture modeling tools integrate with
verification of thousands of units, the performance PHPP to make the job easier.
of Passive House buildings is trusted by developers,
Choice of certification classes. The Passive House
lenders and government. Its genesis was an academ-
Standard now looks towards an energy system based
ic research project to determine an optimal level of
on renewable sources, with certification coming in
efficiency of a building, and to this day the Passive
different flavours: Passive House Classic focuses
House Institute in Germany remains a building science
on energy efficiency using the time tested metrics of
institute, committed to the advancement of building
performance and quality. Passive House Plus reduces
performance and quality. Continuous science-based
the primary energy consumption and relies on some
development and improvement keeps the Standard
renewable energy generation. Passive House Pre-
on the forefront, offering reliable performance and
mium is even more ambitious, further limiting primary
affordability. As a result, agencies and governments
energy use and requiring more renewable generation.
around the world are calling for the construction of
Passive House buildings to meet our climate change
commitments.
Salus Clementine: Karen’s Place
A proven track record. Passive House buildings are OTTAWA, ON
becoming more common in Canada, with a growing
variety of residential and institutional buildings, with
exponential growth in some markets. The pattern
of development typically begins with a few houses,
then some MURBs followed by an escalating pattern
of diverse building types and sizes. As members of an
international building standard, Canadian designers,
builders and policy makers have access to a global
pool of experience and expertise in relation to all
building types. It’s tried and true.

It was designed for our climates. In 1977, our federal

and Saskatchewan governments supported a demon-
stration project in Regina, Saskatchewan that contrib- For existing buildings, EnerPHit is the deep energy
uted to the development of the science behind the retrofit standard providing certification of such
Passive House Standard. The Saskatchewan Conserva- buildings, recognizing the reality that retrofits can
tion House has demonstrated consistent performance often not achieve the same level of performance as
in Canada over the past 40 years. new buildings.
There are serious software tools, all designed to In addition to these classes of certification, a building
make it easier. The Passive House Planning Package can be recognized as a Low Energy Building if it does
(PHPP) includes powerful algorithms that determine not fully comply with all Passive House criteria.
the energy balance of heating, cooling, dehumidi-
fication and primary energy, but it can also provide
analysis of multiple assembly approaches regarding
their energy effectiveness and their financial feasibility. There are lots of options for building
Other tools include Design PH, based on the popular certifiers with three in Canada, more in
Sketchup drawing program that allows designers to the USA and 34 internationally.
quickly determine the suitability of design options.

10
Resources and next steps

Passive House Canada provides a full curriculum of Passive House training for
developers and designers, a directory of Passive House professionals across
Canada, and an online resource centre containing research and a project
database www.passivehousecanada.com

The International Passive House Association — a global network advancing the

Passive House Standard and connecting stakeholders — offering Passpedia, a
database of Passive House research, scientific articles and other online resources
www.passipedia.org

The North American Passive House Network (NAPHN) fosters a vibrant and open
Passive House community of member organizations, sharing resources and
information www.naphnetwork.org

For more information about Passive House design and construction please contact us at
[email protected] or 778 265 2744. We look forward to working with you in building the future.

“After significant cost comparisons, benefit “In the beginning, we honestly didn’t know
analysis and constructability evaluation much about Passive House design but
the Peak Construction Group and Eighth our curiosity to understand this method
Avenue Developments chose to build of building, which has been successfully
our 85 unit rental apartment building in adopted in Europe for over 20 years, lead
Vancouver to the Passive House Standard. to our decision to step outside the box
The concept makes logical sense, does and challenge ourselves. Our core value
not rely on complex HVAC systems, is to “Create What Matters” has always
relatively simple to construct and ultimately, pushed us to raise the bar and to elevate
we believe, will provide a better living our standards in order to become market
environment for our future tenants.” leaders in the real estate industry.”

DOUG WILSON LAWRENCE GREEN

President, Peak Construction Group of Companies President, Spire Development Corporation

11
 Additional information

acoustic comfort, maximum noise levels in living and

Windows and Doors sleeping rooms must be < 25 dBA in a Passive House
building. Passive House certified ventilation units
Comfort is central in Passive House buildings, includ-
must meet rigorous efficiency, acoustical and commis-
ing avoidance of radiant temperature asymmetry.
sioning requirements. They must also provide con-
Passive House windows are specified to provide high
veniently located, simple controls for consumers and
thermal comfort even during the most severe weather
it must be possible to change the filters without tools
events without the need for compensatory radiators
after the building is occupied.
underneath. Using certified Passive House windows
designed for your climate will ensure that surface
temperatures of the window will not drop more than
3ºC compared to the indoor room air temperature. Multi-use Buildings
Furthermore, such windows will avoid the common- Generally all building types can be certified as Passive
place complaint of homeowners getting “cold feet” House projects, however for some complex non-res-
in winter, which is when the difference in tempera- idential uses a more detailed design and certification
ture between ankles and head in close proximity to is needed. Dental surgeries, retail stores, swimming
windows is > 2ºC. In summary, the science behind pools, research labs and many other complex types
certified Passive House windows assures high thermal have been built both as stand-alone Passive House
comfort for occupants in all seasons. projects as well as integrated into multifamily build-
ings. Complex Passive House projects ensure the
building meets the required quality and efficiency
Ventilation criteria by accurately modeling for actual building
loads. As with any complex building, the model will
Ventilation is an essential component for health and
include more extensive use of calculated values rather
comfort in a residence, office or public building. The
than default values commonly used in more common
objective is to avoid temperature asymmetry from cold
building types. For some special use buildings an
surfaces and inadequately tempered fresh air, and also
allowance is made for unavoidable energy loads,
to minimize CO2 and humidity levels to 35 – 55% RH.
with the intent of making the building as efficient as
All Passive House projects have mechanical ventila- possible. Your Passive House Consultant or Designer,
tion systems, typically referred to as HRVs or ERVs (H/ in conjunction with your Certifier, can provide more
ERVs). The heat (‘H’) or enthalpy (‘E’) recovery effi- information on complex buildings.
ciency of the H/ERV has a significant influence on the
overall space heating demand and cooling demand.
The quality of H/ERV used in the project also has a sig-
nificant influence on both temperature and air quality
(including pollutant levels in supply air stream due to
internal leakage in the H/ERV).

Lower efficiency machines will not only significantly

increase space heating demand but they also require
the use of a heater upstream to the H/ERV to ensure
that fresh air delivered to living and work spaces is Lost Lake Passive House
adequately tempered at all times. To ensure occupant WHISTLER, BC

12
Special Thanks
We’d like to thank the City of New Westminster, the City of North Vancouver and the City of Vancouver for their
generous support in making this publication possible.

Each of these cities have policies to support high performance building. More information is available at:

City of New Westminster www.newwestcity.ca

City of North Vancouver www.cnv.org

City of Vancouver www.vancouver.ca

Our thanks to contributors New York Passive House and Lloyd Alter, B.Arch OAA (ret).