The Passive House Standard
The sustainability office encourages developers, existing and new home owners to consider building a passive house. The attributes and benefits of the home far outweigh the additional costs. Read more and see why a passive home may be the right choice!
Upcoming Events
Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT) Training with Passive House Minnesota, March 2019.
What is a Passive House?
“Passive House Explained in 90 Seconds” by Hans-Jörn Eich
Passive House Standard: 5 main principles
- Continuous insulation
- Airtightness
- Thermal bridging
- High performance windows
- Mechanical heat recovery
Benefits of Passive House
- High air quality levels
- Even temperature distribution
- Low noise levels
- Reduced heating and cooling costs
Three reasons to consider the Passive House standard
Comfort
The Passive House Standard would be meaningless without its focus on inhabitant comfort. Strict thermal comfort criteria are met through a consistent and rigorous methodology, maintaining a year-round, high quality indoor environment.
Climate Change
The City of Minneapolis is committed to building resilience in response to the challenges presented by Climate Change. Energy use in commercial and residential buildings (primarily from heating and cooling) was the largest source of GHG emissions in the City at 3.3 million MTCO2e in 2010, representing 65 percent of the total. The Passive House Standard offers a clear path to a reduction in carbon emissions from buildings.
Quality
The Passive House Standard results in high-performance buildings with lower maintenance costs and increased durability.
Passive House Certification
Primary Criteria
- Space Heat Demand: Maximum 15 kWh/m²a or heating load maximum 10 W/m²
- Air Tightness: Maximum 0.6 ACH @ 50 Pa (pressurizing and depressurizing)
- Total Primary Energy Renewable: Maximum 60 kWh/m²a
Certification Process
Approach 1: Design and certification
Design and certification involves an initial review of the design of the project, even before a permit application is submitted. A report would be issued, highlighting any potential issues that might put certification at risk. If a completed project meets all the requirements, a certificate is issued.
Approach 2: Streamlined certification
Streamlined certification doesn’t involve a consultation and review of designs before a project is built, and only includes the review of a completed project. This method, which can reduce the cost of certification, is only recommended for experienced practitioners.
Retrofitting existing buildings
Retrofitting older buildings to reach the Passive House Standard is often quite difficult due to the strict criteria for certification. The EnerPHit program, introduced by the Passive House Institute, allows for updating the most relevant parts of a building with Passive House components.
Learn more
Additional resources
Passipedia
- Managed by the International Passive House Association, this resource acts as an all-encompassing knowledge base of Passive House projects across the globe.
Passive House Minnesota
- A Chapter of the North American Passive House Network, this Minneapolis-based group aims to educate about and promote the Passive House Standard.
Passive House Institute
- A leading researcher on construction concepts, this independent research organization has played a leading role in the development of the Passive House Standard and its concepts.
Pathways to Zero
- This program from the Rocky Mountain Institute provides resources for net zero energy (NZE) buildings and projects.
Trainings
Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT) Training with Passive House Minnesota, March 2019.
Local examples
Hook and Ladder multifamily apartments
Currently under construction in Northeast Minneapolis, the Hook and Ladder apartments consist of two buildings. One will be built to Passive House standards, and the other to current Green Communities requirements. This is intended to provide a long-term side by side cost comparison between the two methods of construction.
Net zero energy retrofit
This Victorian Minneapolis home’s retrofit, completed late 2016, has resulted in a net positive outcome, where the home produces more energy than it uses.
Das Waldsee Biohaus
The first certified Passive House in North America is located right here in Minnesota.
The Passive House in the Woods
Wisconsin’s first certified Passive House is located just across the St. Croix River in Hudson.
Last updated May 14, 2019
