This is the lecture I gave at the 2015 Better Business Better Buildings conference at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is a primer on the Passive House building energy standard and its application in new construction and retrofit in a cold North American climate zone.

1. Passivhaus (pas′iv-ho̵us)
Passive House

2. Building Performance, Measured Results
Holistic Design for Sustainable Homes
Stephan
Tanner
Tim
Eian

3. Learning Objectives
• Understanding performance based design and the
Passive House building energy standard
• Applying the Passive House standard in a cold climate
• Systems and assemblies used in Passive House
projects in a cold climate
• Benefits of Passive House design in a cold climate

4. Milestones

5. “BioHaus”
First certified Passive House
in North America
Photos: Cal Rice

6. Photos: Cal Rice

7. Photos: Cal Rice

8. “Passive House in the Woods”
First certified Passive House
and PHIUS+ in Wisconsin
Net-energy positive
TM
Photos: Chad Holder

9. Photos: Chad Holder

10. Photos: Chad Holder

11. Photos: Chad Holder

12. Photos: Chad Holder

13. Photos: Chad Holder

14. “MinnePHit House”
First certified EnerPHit project
in a cold climate zone Photos: Paul Brazelton

18. Photos: Spaces Magazine

19. Photos: Spaces Magazine

21. 24th
St. Passive House
Education & Demonstration
Photos: Paul Ziehm

22. Photos: Paul Ziehm

23. Photos: Paul Ziehm

24. Passivhaus - Passive House
“A rigorous, voluntary building energy standard
focusing on highest energy efficiency and quality of life
at low operating cost.”
The Passive House Standard is the most rigorous building energy standard in the world. Consultants, projects or building components that have
obtained the right to carry the logo have committed themselves to design excellence and the Passive House energy performance criteria.

25. Think globally, build locally.
Global Standard

26. Global Adoption

27. Third-Party Certified

28. Tool

29. Certifications
RetrofitNew Construction
Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt, Germany
30+ certifiers worldwide

30. PHIUS+
United States
TM
Passive House Institute U.S., Chicago, Il
Local raters and tie-in with other certifications
New sovereign standard for the U.S.

31. • Conservation first
• Minimize losses
• Maximize gains
Basic Concept

32. Active vs. Passive
Passive: 4.75 kBtu/(sf yr)Active: 25-125 kBtu/(sf yr)
85 - 450 kWh/(m2 a), typically found in the U.S. 15kWh/(m2 a), maximum target
Source: Krapmeier & Drössler 2001

33. Energy Footprint
Heating (active)
Hot water (active)
Cooling (active)
Household Electricity
Heat & hot water (passive)
• 90% less heating energy
• 66% less total energy
Code Passive House

34. Background

35. Energy Crisis

36. Illinois Lo-Cal House, 1974
Source: The Small Homes Council at the University of Illinois
Conservation = Resource

37. Back To The Future
Image Source: PHIUS

38. Saskatchewan Conservation House
Saskatoon, Canada in 1977/78
Early Models
Image Source: http://esask.uregina.ca

39. Passive Solar Designs

40. PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN PASSIVE HOUSE
Building design concept Certified building energy standard
“Unlimited” energy use Energy per square foot and year targets
Solar heat gains (passive)
Solar heat gains (passive) and internal heat
gains (passive)
Shading devices control solar heat gains
Shading devices and glazing control solar
heat gains
Thermal mass absorbs and stores solar
energy
Insulation and air tightness retain space
conditioning energy
Time-release of space conditioning energy Heat-recovery ventilation
High temperature fluctuations Highest level of comfort
Passive Solar Design vs. Passive House

41. Energy per Square Foot and Year
Gas mileage for buildings.
Metrics

42. ≤ 4.75 kBtu/(sf yr)
≤ 15kWh/(m2
a)
Total energy used to heat or cool a building.
Space Conditioning Energy Targets
≤ 7.9 kBtu/(sf yr)
≤ 25kWh/(m2
a)

43. ≤ 38 kBtu/(sf yr)
≤ 120kWh/(m2
a)
Total energy used to heat or cool a building.
Source Energy Targets
varies
≤ 120 kWh/(m2
a) + ((QH - 15 kWh/(m2
a)) * 1.2)

44. ≤ 3.17 Btu/(h sf)
≤ 10W/m2
Heating energy can be supplied through ventilation system.
Heating Load Target (suggested)

45. ≤0.6 ACH50
Measured with a blower door in the field.
Airtightness Targets
≤1.0 ACH50

46. EnerPHit offers a Component Track.
Component Targets
• Maximum U-values
• Minimum R-values
• SHGC requirements
• Minimum heat-recovery rates

47. Predictable Outcome & Measurable Results
Passive House Planning Package - PHPP

48. Performance-Based Design
• More than a prescriptive checklist
• Energy-modeled standards-based performance
• Field testing
• Third-party verification

49. Paradigm Shifts
Incrementalism > Leapfrog
Component > System
Design in a vacuum > Integrated design

50. Source:TE Studio
Schematic
AIR-INTAKE
HEAT RECOVERY VENITALTION
SUPPLY AIR
• bedrooms
• living areas
Let in winter sun to heat and block summer sun to cool.
Significant insulation. High solar heat gain.
Minimize heat loss through the building enclosure.
External temperatures have no effect on internal
comfort.
The consistent temperature of the ground passively pre-heats
ventilation air in the winter, and pre-cools and de-humidifies it in
the summer.
The amount of energy it takes
to heat a Passive House
building can be compared to
the amount of heat a hair
dryer generates
EXTRACT AIR
• baths
• kitchen
• aux. spaces
EXHAUST
CONTINUOUSLY SUPER-INSULATED
& AIRTIGHT BUILDING ENVELOPE
ADVANCED WINDOWS AND DOORS
THERMAL BRIDGE-FREE DETAILS
OPTIONAL
EARTH TUBE
HEAT RECOVERY
VENTILATOR
=
ACTIVE SHADING = THERMOSTAT

51. Implementation

52. Continuous High R-Value Insulation

53. Source: Waltjen 2007
Compare to
standard 2x4 wall

54. .
- 9'-7 1/2" - 9'-8 1/4"
CONNECT POLY MEMBRANE TO T.O. SLAB
S PERIMETER DRAIN/ PASSIVE RADON VENT,
OR SUMP, CONNECT TO VERT. RADON STACK
THICKENED EDGE PER STRUC. ENG.
TYPICAL SLAB ASSEMBLY
> INTERIOR <
- SCHEDULED FLOORING
- STRUCTURAL CONCRETE SLAB: STRUCTURE
INFILL AREAS WITHOUT STRUC. REQUIREMENTS WITH SAND,
MIN. SLAB THICKNESS 4", VERIFY WITH STRUC. ENG.
- (2) 6 MIL POLY MEMBRANE: VAPOR AND AIR BARRIER
TAPE AND SEAL JOINTS & PROTRUSIONS AIRTIGHT
- 10" EPS (COMPRESSION STRENGTH PER STRUCT. ENG.): INSULATION
- BASE PER STRUC. ENG.
> UNDISTURBED SOIL <
ICAL ASSEMBLY SECTION

63. Thermal Bridge Free Construction

64. Understanding thermal bridges

65. Thermal bridge-free by design.

66. Continuous Airtightness

67. 11" EIFS 11" ICF
INSULATED DUCT O.D. 180MM (LUEFTA)
2" ARMAFLEX PIPE INSULATION
TAPE ICF TO DUCT,
AIR-TIGHT CONNECTION
SEALANT JOINT
SCHEDULED WALL FINISH
FILL GAPS WITH EXPANSION FOAM
BRING INSULATION
TIGHT TO PIPE
STO GUARD
WET FLASHING SYSTEM
12" PE PIPE, SLEEVE
CUT BACK FINISH
AND CAULK
COMPRESSION TAPE
INTERIOREXTERIOR
REFERENCE DETAILS:
- STO W 260
NOTE:
- USE ONLY STO CERTIFIED SEALANT
- COLOR MATCH CAULK TO FACADE COLOR
SUGGESTED INSTALLATION:
1) INSTALL PIPE
2) INSTALL COMPRESSION TAPE
3) INSULATE TIGHT TO PIPE AND COMPRESS TAPE
4) INSTALL FINISH SYSTEM
Airtightness starts with the design.

68. Once designed, airtightness is easily managed on site.

79. Hygrothermal Performance

80. MIN.3'-0"
1'-6"
2" 9" 11 1/4" 4 3/4" 1"
2"
EARTHEN PLASTER, TYP.
NUDURA ICF (2-5/8" XPS—6" CONC—2-5/8" XPS),
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE LAYER PER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD, TYP.
1/2" WALL BOARD, TYP.
COMPACTED SOIL
UNDISTURBED NATIVE SOIL
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C. OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
STO GUARD: AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
5/8" T&G OSB SHEATHING
5/8" OSB, AIR BARRIER, VAPOR RETARDER
3/4" FURR FRAMING (INSTALLATION)
5/8" WALL BOARD
14" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
VENTILATION SPACE
TAPERED FURR FRAMING
60 MIL REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE
WITH STRIPPED-IN SEAMS
PEDESTAL PAVER SYSTEM
SLOPE 1/8" PER 1'-0"
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C., OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
GEO-TEXTILE
FABRIC
DE, MIN. 1/4" PER 1' SLOPE
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
12" XPS INSULATION, DOW SQUARE EDGE, COMPRESSION
STRENGTH PER STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
11" EPS (EIFS)
POLY URETHANE GLUE CONNECTION
20 MIL POLY, SEAL JOINTS
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS
PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
FOAM-PLUG @ SILL PLATE
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
SCHEDULED BASE
4" CONCRETE SLAB (EXPOSED WHERE SCHEDULED)
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM, R-11
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
AIR-TIGHT SEAL AT SILL
STO FLEXYL BELOW-GRADE WATER PROOFING
GRAVEL BACKFILL
DRAIN TILE, DRAIN TO DAYLIGHT
STEEL LANDSCAPE
EDGING
11-7/8" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE
INSULATION
3/4" PLYWOOD DECK @
1/4" PER 1'-0" SLOPE
2" XPS WITH DRAINAGE CHANNEL
FABRIC PROTECTION MAT
FLAT ROOF FLASHING
2" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
CONTINUOUS VENTILATION SPACE,
2X8 @ 24" O.C.
5/8" PLYWOOD SHEATHING
WIND WASH BARRIER (EIFS)
FLASHING
VENTILATION SLOTS
UNDER FLASHING
CONSTRUCTION LINE - OUTSIDE FACE OF ICF
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
2X10 @ 24" O.C. FURR FRAMING,
INSULATE CAVITIES TIGHTLY
1" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
STO GUARD,
AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
2" XPS INSULATION @ FOOTING, SEAL JOINTS
1/2" EXPANSION JOINT PER STO,
INSULATE CAVITY
STO FINISH COAT
11-7/8" I-JOIST
11-7/8" I-JOIST
DRAINAGE PLANE?
2"
MIN.3'-0"
2" 9" 11 1/4" 4 3/4" 1"
1'-6"
EARTHEN PLASTER, TYP.
NUDURA ICF (2-5/8" XPS—6" CONC—2-5/8" XPS),
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE LAYER PER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD, TYP.
1/2" WALL BOARD, TYP.
COMPACTED SOIL
UNDISTURBED NATIVE SOIL
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C. OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
STO GUARD: AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
5/8" T&G OSB SHEATHING
5/8" OSB, AIR BARRIER, VAPOR RETARDER
3/4" FURR FRAMING (INSTALLATION)
5/8" WALL BOARD
14" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
VENTILATION SPACE
TAPERED FURR FRAMING
60 MIL REINFORCED EPDM MEMBRANE
WITH STRIPPED-IN SEAMS
PEDESTAL PAVER SYSTEM
SLOPE 1/8" PER 1'-0"
5-1/2" DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE INSULATION,
2X6 FRAMING @ 16" O.C., OR ADVANCED
STICK FRAMING
GEO-TEXTILE
FABRIC
GRADE, MIN. 1/4" PER 1' SLOPE
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
12" XPS INSULATION, DOW SQUARE EDGE, COMPRESSION
STRENGTH PER STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
11" EPS (EIFS)
POLY URETHANE GLUE CONNECTION
20 MIL POLY, SEAL JOINTS
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS
PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
FOAM-PLUG @ SILL PLATE
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
SCHEDULED BASE
4" CONCRETE SLAB (EXPOSED WHERE SCHEDULED)
RESILIENT CHANNEL
5/8" WALL BOARD
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM, R-11
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
3-1/2" RECYCLED COTTON FIBER INSULATION
(SOUND ATTENUATION)
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
3/4 PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR
SCHEDULED 1/4" SELF-LEVELING COMPOUND
WITH ELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING MATS PER MECH. PLAN
SCHEDULED FLOORING
SCHEDULED BASE
AIR-TIGHT SEAL AT SILL
STO FLEXYL BELOW-GRADE WATER PROOFING
GRAVEL BACKFILL
DRAIN TILE, DRAIN TO DAYLIGHT
STEEL LANDSCAPE
EDGING
11-7/8" I-JOIST @ 24" O.C.
DENSE-PACK CELLULOSE
INSULATION
3/4" PLYWOOD DECK @
1/4" PER 1'-0" SLOPE
2" XPS WITH DRAINAGE CHANNEL
FABRIC PROTECTION MAT
FLAT ROOF FLASHING
2" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
CONTINUOUS VENTILATION SPACE,
2X8 @ 24" O.C.
5/8" PLYWOOD SHEATHING
WIND WASH BARRIER (EIFS)
FLASHING
VENTILATION SLOTS
UNDER FLASHING
CONSTRUCTION LINE - OUTSIDE FACE OF ICF
STO 1.0 / FINE (EIFS)
2X10 @ 24" O.C. FURR FRAMING,
INSULATE CAVITIES TIGHTLY
1" EPS INSULATION (EIFS)
3-1/8" INSULATED RIM
STO GUARD,
AIR TIGHT, DIFFUSION OPEN
2" XPS INSULATION @ FOOTING, SEAL JOINTS
1/2" EXPANSION JOINT PER STO,
INSULATE CAVITY
STO FINISH COAT
11-7/8" I-JOIST
11-7/8" I-JOIST
DRAINAGE PLANE?
WuFi Analysis

81. 0.000#
500.000#
1000.000#
1500.000#
2000.000#
2500.000#
'1# 0# 1# 2# 3# 4# 5#
water&vapor&pressure&in&pa&
sd&in&m&
"Glaser&Diagram"&Winter&
p_s(T)#
p_(x)#
Glaser Diagram
0"
1000"
2000"
3000"
4000"
5000"
6000"
)1" 0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5"
water&vapor&pressure&in&pa&
sd&in&m&
"Glaser&Diagram"&Summer&
p_s(T)"
p_(x)"

82. High-Performance Windows And Doors

83. ALKATOUT RESIDENCE
TYPICAL WINDOW JAMB
Date printed: 1/24/13
NOTE: VERIFY DIMENSIONS, OBSERVE MANF. INSTRUCTIONS
TE STUDIO, LTD.
212 2ND ST. SE #222
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414
612-246-4670
4"
ROUGH OPENING
AIRTIGHT CONNECTION
SEAL GAP WITH LOW EXPANSION FOAM
FROM EXTERIOR
SCHEDULED TRIM
WRB CONNECTION
TAPE WBR TO WINDOW FRAME WITH SIGA
WIGLUV
CONTINUOUS INSULATION
EPS INSULATION BLOCK, GLUE INTO
PLACE
WRB CONNECTION
CAULK JAMB TO WINDOW, MATCH COLOR
OF TRIM
WINDOW SET POINT
AIRTIGHT CONNECTION
TAPE WINDOW FRAME TO WINDOW BUCK
WITH TAPE PER MANF.
EXTENSION JAMB, SITE
AIRTIGHTNESS
TAPE SHEATHING TO
WINDOW BUCK WITH
SIGA WIGLUV TAPE
3/4" PLYWOOD BUCK
ALUMINUM SILL PAN BELOW
WOOD WINDOW SILL BELOW
2 2
2 6
2
2
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
OPTIWIN ALU2WOOD WINDOW
5/4X6 EXTERIOR TRIM, TYP.
SCALE: 3" = 1'-0"
Proper install starts with a detailed design.

85. Understanding
specifications

89. Passive Solar Heat Gains

90. Covers over 50% of the heat demand.

91. Solar Facade

95. Shading

103. Power is nothing without control.
Windows = Heaters

104. Internal Heat Gains

105. Image Source: Sony Pictures
Covers over 10% of the heat demand.

106. Balanced Heat-Recovery Ventilation

107. Image Sources: Lüfta, Zehnder

116. Heating, Cooling & Dehumidification

118. DN UP
5
1.3
1.4
1.21.1
REF
DNUP
CLO
POWDER
T
TLIV/DIN/KI

119. Image Source: Fujitsu

123. Efficient Appliances and Equipment

124. Source: Ecodrain Source: Sun Frost
Source: Lighting Ever

125. Optional Monitoring

128. Optional Renewable Energy Systems

131. Benefits & Solution

132. Comfort

133. Health

134. Quality of Construction

135. $
Economy

136. Z LEED
Net Energy Positive
Passive House
Carbon Neutral (operation)
HERS INDEX
Carbon Neutral (everything)
To Zero and Beyond

137. Ecology & Resources
Image Source: dreamstime.com

138. Society

139. Image Source: Blu
Climate Change

140. Sustainability

141. Summary

142. • Best certified and third party verified voluntary building standard in the industry
• Well-defined targets for heating and source energy, and airtightness
• Energy modeled = predictable performance
• 90% less heating demand than standard
• up to 66% or more overall energy savings than standard = energy independence
• Smallest carbon footprint in the industry
• Incredible comfort and health
• True value for owners and society
• Smart use of resources like building materials, energy, operating dollars
• Best insulation from an uncertain energy future
• Over 2 decades of proven performance
• Thousands of built projects all over the world
• Commercial and residential, new and retrofit
• Best starting point for net-zero, plus-energy and carbon-neutrality with smallest
renewable systems
• Global solution
• Best life cycle approach for fiscally and ecologically sustainable real estate
Passive House

143. Resources
passiv.de
passipedia.org
passivehouse-international.org
phius.org
phaus.org
phamsp.org
TM

144. Thank You!
intep.us | intep.com
Building Performance, Measured Results
Holistic Design for Sustainable Homes
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