Global Open House to Showcase the Impact of Passive House Building Methods on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Building Sector
The case for action on climate change is urgent: the head of the United Nations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, recently warned that the world is "sleepwalking to climate catastrophe,". This weekend, around the world and across the US, see how Passive House can drive down emissions from the building sector.
NEW YORK , June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Over the weekend of June 24-26, the public will have the opportunity to see the remarkable differences in buildings built to a Passive House standard around the world and across the US (https://naphnetwork.org/international-passive-house-open-days-june-2022/) . But what is Passive House? "Simply put, Passive House is a building approach that prioritizes energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort," said Ken Levenson, Executive Director of the Passive House Network (PHN). "Passive House design and construction are how we can combat climate change in the building sector," he added.
The built environment accounts for 39 percent of annual global CO2 emissions, according to the World Green Building Council and Passive House is widely recognized as the most powerful tool we have today to produce buildings that help to mitigate these emissions.
PHN is participating in the twice yearly International Passive House Open Days (https://passivehouse-international.org/) on June 24-26. Buildings will be open to the public so that people can experience for themselves the qualities of a Passive House building which includes dramatic cuts in energy consumption, comfort, healthy indoor air quality, and affordability.
Across the US, projects will open in California, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and more. (https://naphnetwork.org/international-passive-house-open-days-june-2022/)
"We want to get the word out about Passive House design. Although the upfront costs may be about 3-7 percent higher, depending on the experience of the project team, the energy costs are typically 60-90 percent lower. There are also significant improvements in indoor comfort and air quality. Visiting a Passive House building allows the public to see for themselves how truly transformative these buildings are," said Steve Green-Mann of Home Energy Services, a San Francisco-based consulting firm that specializes in Passive House design. One of their projects in Berkeley will be featured during the open days.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Carrick branch of the Carnegie Library will be open on Saturday, June 25, from 12 - 3 pm. "The Carrick branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is the first Passive House certified public library in North America. The building not only highlights the fundamental tenets of Passive House, but it also demonstrates how community involvement in the design process can produce a wonderful and successful space for the users and staff ... not to mention cutting their energy bills drastically despite effectively doubling the size of the space compared to the original branch library, while keeping a comfortable and quiet space that a library demands," said architect James Bischoff.
In Colorado, there are tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday highlighting different projects in Ft. Collins, Donath Lake, Englewood, and Tabernash.
More projects are being added each day across the country and around the world. Find out more: https://naphnetwork.org/international-passive-house-open-days-june-2022/
# # #
About Passive House Network:
The Passive House Network (PHN) is an independent national non-profit educational organization affiliated with the International Passive House Association (iPHA) and the Passive House Institute (PHI), located in Darmstadt, Germany.
PHN has chapters based in the Rocky Mountain Region (http://www.phrockymountains.com), Minnesota (http://www.passivehouseminnesota.org), Pennsylvania (http://www.passivehousepa.org), New Jersey, Washington DC, and Empire State (https://naphnetwork.org/chapters/).
PHN supports the widespread adoption of the international Passive House design and construction standards, building science principles, and protocols, as a critical response to our climate crisis - providing unparalleled effectiveness in mitigating climate disruptions and adapting to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
PHN is focused on the inflection point between policy and implementation. We partner with leading stakeholders across all building sectors, including governments, professional associations, manufacturers, owners, builders, labor organizations, and educational institutions – to make the transformation complete.
About Passive House:
Passive House is an international building standard and methodology, applicable to buildings of all kinds from office buildings to hospitals, new-build and renovations, that results in a dramatic
drop in operational energy use, and more comfortable and healthy occupants - meant to aggressively mitigate our climate crisis while providing resilient adaptation.
The Passive House Standard was developed by the Passive House Institute (PHI), an independent scientific research organization, located in Darmstadt, Germany, and includes specific requirements for energy use and comfort of occupants. The Passive House Standard is being successfully applied to thousands of buildings and millions of square feet around the world, from Boston to Beijing.
The Passive House methodology starts with reducing cooling, dehumidification, and heating loads by focusing, not on gadgets and active technology, but instead on fully integrated durable passive building components, such as proper continuous thermal-bridge-free insulation, continuous airtightness, high-performance windows and doors, and ventilation that includes a high-efficiency heat/energy recovery core, carefully calculated, and all integrated with the entire architectural process of design and construction. http://www.passivehouse.com http://www.passipedia.org
About the International Passive House Association:
The International Passive House Association is a membership, communications, and global community-building arm of the Passive House Institute with over 30 affiliated regional Passive House organizations around the world. https://passivehouse-international.org/
Media Contact
Ken Levenson, The Passive House Network, 1 9178378487, [email protected]
SOURCE The Passive House Network
Share this article