Applying Passive Home Technology – Improve Quality of Life and Increase Energy Savings

Many homeowners are beginning to implement passive home technology to improve their living spaces. Applying lessons from passive home design to your home will not only reduce energy bills; they can create a comfortable, healthy, sustainable living spaces and contribute to a better quality of life. By harnessing natural energy sources, optimizing the envelope of your home, and selecting energy efficient appliances, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint while enjoying a more comfortable and cost-effective living environment.

How can you implement passive home technology? Let’s dive into some of the strategies and benefits of passive home design.

What Is Passive Home Technology?

Passive home technology focuses on creating buildings that require minimal energy for heating or cooling. There are many ways this can be accomplished. By using high-performance building materials and efficient heating and cooling systems, passive homes can maintain a comfortable indoor climate while reducing overall energy costs.

While the goal of some passive homes is to reduce a home’s energy needs by up to 90% compared to conventional homes, not all strategies need to be used to realize the benefits.

Key Elements of Passive Home Technology

To implement passive home strategies effectively, let’s break down the key elements that define a passive house:

1. Thermal Insulation
   The key strategy for passive home design is to increase insulation wherever possible. Insulation keeps a home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by reducing heat transfer between the inside and outside. Examples of insulation beyond the typical pink stuff you’ll find in many walls are materials such as spray foam or rigid foam boards. Some materials can be applied underneath siding and roofing to increase insulation beyond the cavities in your walls.
2. Airtightness
   Air leaks are one of the leading causes of energy loss in conventional homes. Passive homes are built to be airtight, meaning they are designed to keep air from leaking in or out. This is achieved through careful construction techniques and materials that seal cracks and gaps, such as weatherstripping around windows and doors. Reducing drafts leads to enhanced comfort, and can be as simple as installing a seal under a drafty exterior door.
3. High-Performance Windows and Doors
   Old and drafty windows can be a large factor in the energy efficiency of your home. In passive homes, windows are typically triple-glazed and have high-performance coatings to limit heat transfer. Consideration may also be given in the design of your home to strategically take advantage of passive sun exposure to increase solar gains, such as maximizing southern-facing windows to capture warmth from the sun during colder months. High-performance windows also help maintain consistent indoor temperatures by minimizing drafts.
4. Ventilation with Heat Recovery
   Even in airtight homes, fresh air is essential. Passive homes typically use mechanical ventilation systems that ensure a constant flow of fresh air and recover heat from the exhaust air. This type of ventilation system, known as an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, helping maintain a comfortable indoor climate without the need for additional heating. It ensures that warm, stale air is replaced by fresh air without wasting energy.
5. Solar Gain and Shading
   Passive homes often incorporate features that maximize natural sunlight, such as south-facing windows or carefully placed overhangs and shading devices. Solar gain—sunlight entering the home through windows—can be a valuable source of heat, especially in winter. However, during the warmer months, shading strategies (such as awnings or deciduous trees) are used to block excessive sunlight and reduce the need for cooling. 

Benefits of Passive Home Technology

1. Improved Comfort
   One of the biggest advantages of passive home technology is its ability to maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor environment year-round. Thanks to the superior insulation, airtightness, and strategic window placement, you will experience fewer temperature fluctuations and drafts. The result is a more comfortable living space with less reliance on heating and air conditioning.
2. Significant Energy Savings
   Passive homes are designed to be extremely energy-efficient, requiring far less energy to heat and cool than conventional homes. In fact, passive homes can reduce energy consumption by up to 90%. This translates directly into lower utility bills, making passive home technology an excellent long-term investment. Over time, the savings on energy costs can offset the initial upfront investment in passive home features.
3. Environmental Benefits
   One of the core principles of passive home technology is its environmental impact. By reducing energy consumption, passive homes contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, helping homeowners decrease their carbon footprint. Moreover, by using sustainable materials and optimizing the use of natural resources, passive homes align with broader goals of environmental sustainability.
4. Healthier Indoor Environment
   The focus on airtightness, fresh air ventilation, and non-toxic building materials means that passive homes offer improved indoor air quality compared to traditional homes. The ERV systems maintain fresh air circulation without compromising energy efficiency, ensuring that the air inside is cleaner with less allergens. Additionally, passive homes are less prone to issues like mold or moisture buildup, which can cause health problems.
5. Long-Term Durability and Value
   While some passive home strategies may require a higher initial investment, the long-term benefits—energy savings, durability, and increased home value—should eventually outweigh the upfront costs. The durability and energy efficiency of passive home technologies can increase the resale value of the home, making it a smart investment for the future.

Implementing Passive Home Technology in Your Home

If you’re considering incorporating passive home technology into your existing home on a budget, it’s important to start with the strategies that will net the biggest impact:

1. Upgrade Insulation and Seal Gaps
   Improving your home’s insulation is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to begin improving your energy efficiency. Add more insulation to your attic, walls, and floors, and make sure to seal any gaps around windows and doors. An energy audit, which may be required by code for your remodel or addition, can help you identify areas where air leaks may be occurring. Ask your architect, contractor or energy auditor where to add insulation or seal gaps. For existing homes, increasing or adding insulation in your attic can often be an important and simple step toward reducing your energy costs. When remodeling, ask your contractor to use a product like Great Stuff ‘Gaps and Cracks Insulating Spray Foam’ wherever possible to reduce air leaks.
2. Install Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
   While remodeling one area of your home, consider replacing single-glazed windows with double or triple-glazed, energy-efficient windows. The investment can have a dramatic impact on your home’s energy performance. Look for windows with a low U-value (which measures heat transfer) and consider adding window treatments or shades to control solar gain.
3. Invest in a Ventilation System with Heat Recovery
   Installing an ERV system can improve indoor air quality while conserving energy, helping you enjoy a comfortable living environment year-round. A bathroom remodel is the perfect time to add an ERV. It can be installed in place of a traditional bathroom vent fan and most ERV units aren’t much more expensive. For warmer months, having an attic fan or even a whole house fan installed can help keep your house cooler with minimal upfront cost.
4. Harness Solar Power and Reduce Solar Gain in the Summer
   Consider installing PV solar panels and switching to electric appliances such as a heat pump mini-split HVAC system, a hybrid heat pump water heater, and/or an induction cooktop/range. Solar panels have come down in cost and are easier than ever to install. Ask your contractor if they’re able to install a system for you. Even if you’re not able to install solar power, small changes like adding passive solar features like awnings and trees to reduce solar gain can make a difference in energy efficiency.

There are many ways to use passive home technology to improve your energy efficiency and quality of life when remodeling your home. By investing in insulation, airtightness, energy-efficient windows, and smart ventilation systems, you can reduce your environmental footprint and your energy bills. Be sure to ask your architect and contractor about strategies that may fit your needs during your next remodel!