6 benefits of passive house design for your well-being and wallet

We are an active, dynamic, movement-oriented and energetic nation. It’s in our DNA, right? So why should we strongly consider the concept of passive house design in our new construction and even remodeling projects? What’s in it for homeowners? Proponents of the PH design movement share benefits that can improve our health, safety and well-being. Let’s take a look at these ideas (and a few annoying drawbacks).

Passive house design defined

This may be a ‘new to you’ concept, but it has been around since the oil crisis of the 1970s and is being incorporated into architectural projects around the world. “Passive House is a building standard that is truly energy efficient, comfortable and affordable at the same time,” said one of the leaders, Dr. Wolfgang Feist, in an undated publication. Post from the Passive House Institute. PH design is not a brand name, he specified, “but a proven building concept that can be applied by anyone, anywhere.” So why is it so little known outside professional circles in the United States?

Bronwyn Barry is one of the founders of the Passive House Networka non-profit educational organization focused on this architectural discipline. She is also a San Francisco-based architect and office director who specializes in this field and is working to raise its profile. Barry and her fellow PH proponents want us to consider its many positive features for our own benefit.

Expanding influence

It’s likely that if your home was built after 2000—especially in highly regulated California—that it adopted some passive house design concepts, especially to protect against energy intrusion. (Creating ‘tight’ homes has had some extremely negative effects on indoor air quality if this is not done with an emphasis on occupant health and energy efficiency; this is a phenomenon that PH proponents have addressed in their certification criteria.) Barry explains: “Controlled and continuous ventilation reduces the impact of exhaust fumes caused by furniture, toxic materials, perfumes, candles and cooking etc.”

Massachusetts has embraced PH design in its multifamily sector: “As of 2020, the state had only one multifamily Passive House. Today, 119 buildings have received financial and technical assistance under the Mass Save Passive House Incentive Program The intention is for them to obtain the official passive house certification in 2026.” February 5, 2024 Yale Climate Connections article explained.

Kevin Deablerco-founder and president of the Boston-based company RED Architectsis forging expansion in the state’s single-family sector with its first certified home in the West Roxbury neighborhood and with a fully certified neighborhood in Stoughton.

1. Lower energy bills

Energy efficiency, the initial impetus for PH design during the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, still matters. “Imagine a house so efficient it can be heated with a hair dryer!” stated the Yale article, continuing, “That’s the promise of a passive house, a design standard that’s becoming increasingly popular in the architecture community for its benefits to residents and the climate.” One of the author’s sources calls passive house design “the most reliable, cost-effective, and healthiest way to achieve energy performance excellence in architecture.”

“Because of the home’s robust shell, the heating and cooling systems are actually smaller than those of conventionally built homes; smaller equipment is required to maintain internal temperatures,” Deabler explains, adding, “When combined with solar panels or mini-split heat pumps, energy management becomes even easier, and we’ve seen some residents even take out credit on the electricity bill.”

2. Better indoor air quality

Barry notes that PH design’s ventilation systems are “designed to provide a continuous flow of fresh, filtered air to all living areas, plus exhaust from all wet areas. This feature has been shown to improve the health outcomes of residents, especially those with allergies or asthma-related illnesses. We have also seen during the pandemic that most buildings are not adequately ventilated, or are dependent on recirculation of existing indoor air.” (The pandemic was definitely a turning point for Americans who fully understood the connections between their homes, health, and safety.)

3. Comfort all year round

“These homes maintain consistent indoor temperatures year-round, eliminating drafts and cold spots, while large windows can maximize natural daylight. This thoughtful design not only promotes comfort, but also supports mood, mental health and overall well-being, even in extreme seasonal conditions,” says Deabler.

Barry notes that in a passive house our body temperature can more easily regulate itself (and relax). “In non-PH buildings we often find that our feet are colder or that cold window surfaces cause us to radiate our body heat outside, usually only to the side of our body closest to the window.” Full-body comfort is a clear benefit to well-being.

4. Increased resilience

“Passive homes are built to strict performance standards, making them inherently more resilient to environmental stressors and extreme weather conditions,” Deabler notes. Barry adds that because they must strictly limit envelope leakage, they combat moisture infiltration by wind, smoke and particulate infiltration (critical in wildfire zones), and general humidity and moisture influx, which helps in hurricane zones. These have beneficial sustainability properties, she points out, as well as health benefits.

5. Less maintenance

“These homes reduce wear and tear on mechanical systems and reduce routine maintenance. Residents enjoy consistent comfort without frequent interventions, which is especially valuable for older adults or those with mobility issues. Because of the home’s robust envelope, heating and cooling systems are actually smaller than those of conventionally built homes; smaller equipment is required to maintain internal temperatures,” explains Deabler.

“Non-certified projects cannot claim this benefit,” Barry warns, adding: “filters in the energy/heat recovery ventilation system need to be replaced regularly, which would be the most important maintenance item in all PHs. Designing these to be easily accessible to residents will make this more manageable for everyone.” (No one wants grandpa climbing ladders to replace filters installed in the ceiling!)

6. Improved health and safety

“Advanced enclosure systems also reduce the risk of moisture intrusion and mold growth, creating a safer and more stable indoor environment,” notes Deabler. Highlighting the specific benefits for older adults, he says: “For those who are aging and living with mobility problems, their lungs are at greater risk of infection from environmental contaminants. A large percentage of this population lives in suboptimal conditions, exacerbating the decline in health and well-being.”

Disadvantages

While PH design can reduce your energy bills and increase your well-being, it is not without its drawbacks. ScienceDirect has summarized them in a Article from November 2023: “Cost was, is, and always will be a critical part of decision-making regarding Passive House and deep energy retrofits. A typical Passive House renovation requires the homeowner to finance it themselves, and it can be expensive.”

The article also notes that building codes and regulations can be challenging. Inspectors may look askance at deviations from the systems they are used to seeing. One of the other challenges it identifies is getting your PH project, whether new construction or renovation, done right. As with any other aspect of home building and improvement, choosing a knowledgeable, ethical and experienced team is crucial.

Last words

Barry notes that “passive design” can also refer to passive building design or passive solar energy, and that the terms are not interchangeable. “These can all vary significantly and may not include all the features and benefits I outlined above,” she clarifies. Certified Passive House design is her benchmark for a home that offers all PH benefits. Deabler has pursued certification for its projects, which validates this approach, but if you’re not building a new home, it’s worth incorporating PH design features into any remodel, replacement or addition of equipment.

“Passive houses really push the boundaries of what is possible to improve health and well-being,” says Deabler. “They provide a quiet, serene environment thanks to thick walls and airtight construction that minimize outside noise. Large windows bring in natural light and promote mood and mental health, while consistent temperatures and clean air support overall comfort and reduce stress. Residents also gain financial and emotional peace of mind, as they enjoy lower energy costs and confidence in living in a safe, energy-efficient and comfortable home.”

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NOTE: Deabler and Barry were interviewed earlier this month by email and direct message, respectively.