Comments on: Passivhaus, Passive Houses, and Your Carbon Footprint

By: Wolfgang Feist

Wolfgang Feist — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:44:47 +0000

Nice articel – and thank you for testing the method. Now, “Passivhaus” is NOT a brand. It is a design method and a standard. Everybody has permission to design according to PH standard. And, Rebecca is right, the actual components are choosen in a way to adapt to the regional climate. The PHPP tool can be used in all climates it’s just the physics – but in a outfit easy to use fro architects). There is an international exchange on experience organised by the “international Passivbe House Association” iPHA. And, yes, you are right, there have been roots in US, in Canada, in Sweden, in Iceland … this is about the walk, not solely about the tallk.

By: Rebecca Firestone

Rebecca Firestone — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:52:18 +0000

It’ll work as long as you dehumidify. Passive houses have to be adapted to the local climate in any case. The term “passive house” itself might mean something completely different in northern Europe than it would in Florida or equatorial regions. In a very warm and humid climate, passive COOLING may be more important than heating, but again, you’re better off with a holistic approach rather than fixating on one aspect of local conditions.

Here are three links that touch in various ways on the question you asked.

http://www.passivhaustagung.de/Passive_House_E/PH_MedClim.html
http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/rd/NZE_Workshop/4b_Kaufmann.pdf
http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/FAQ.html

- Rebecca
Green Compliance Plus

By: melissa heath

melissa heath — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:53:32 +0000

very interesting. how does the passivhaus model translate to a humid, warm climate like the southeast? in atlanta our winter is generally mild (although we can get 0 – 20) but summer is often 90 – 100. thanks! – melissa

By: Nabih Tahan

Nabih Tahan — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:53:45 +0000

Alan, I would like to make a correction to the caption below the multi-family dwelling photograph above. This multi-family project “Satzhof 2″ was completed in 2000, to the Low Energy standard which was the generation before Passive House Standard. Thanks, Nabih