resources
Calling all homeowners!
Our next passivhausMAINE retrofitting training happens June 9 in York. This $25, day-long session will get you started with retrofit planning in Maine.
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LEARN: Understand how different systems effect home efficiency.
PLAN: Get resources for planning your next project.
ACT: Find materials, tools and trainings to get the job done.
- building envelope
- foundation + construction
- windows + doors
- ventilation, heating + systems
- passive solar + placement
Learn
super insulated walls and roof
air-tight construction
triple glazed and tested
ventilation with heat recovery and filtration
maximizing efficiency with proper placement
Plan
1. building envelope
super insulated walls and roof
2. foundation + construction
air-tight construction
3. windows + doors
triple glazed and tested
4. ventilation, heating + systems
ventilation with heat recovery and filtration
5. passive solar + placement
maximizing efficiency with proper placement
Act
1. building envelope
super insulated walls and roof
2. foundation + construction
air-tight construction
3. windows + doors
triple glazed and tested
4. ventilation, heating + systems
ventilation with heat recovery and filtration
5. passive solar + placement
maximizing efficiency with proper placement
BUILDING ENVELOPE: Simply put, the separation of the interior and exterior of a building.
BUILDING ENVELOPE: Simply put, the separation of the interior and exterior of a building.
FOUNDATION: In high performance green home building the foundation’s thermal performance is mission critical.
FOUNDATION: In high performance green home building the foundation’s thermal performance is mission critical.
WINDOWS + DOORS: Passive house windows use either triple glazing or super-efficient double glazing, with low thermal conductivity. Doors are tested for their air seal.
WINDOWS + DOORS: Passive house windows use either triple glazing or super-efficient double glazing, with low thermal conductivity. Doors are tested for their air seal.
VENTILATION + HEATING: Because of their air-tight construction–and to optimize health and comfort–ventilation is required.
VENTILATION + HEATING: Because of their air-tight construction–and to optimize health and comfort–ventilation is required.
PASSIVE SOLAR + PLACEMENT: Passive homes take advantage of the sun’s heat and light through smart placement.
PASSIVE SOLAR + PLACEMENT: Passive homes take advantage of the sun’s heat and light through smart placement.
The building envelope around our home is the protective layer that keeps in heat and energy. Modern materials and applications mean we can make an excellent air seal–the most important factor in reducing energy usage.
learning: building envelope
An intro to caulking
Caulk is a flexible material used to seal air leaks through cracks, gaps, or joints less than 1-quarter-inch wide between stationary building components and materials. For components that move — doors and operable windows, for example — weatherstripping is the appropriate material.
energy.gov
Moisture control
Just like with air, it’s important to seal the walls, roof and foundation in such a way that moisture can flow where it’s supposed to (out!) and not sit where it shouldn’t. This is moisture control. Learn more about it from this brief overview.
energy.gov
As an extension of the building envelope, one which roots our homes to the earth, making sure our foundations create a thermal barrier against living space is important. Advanced construction methods also have added benefits to efficiency.
learning: foundation + construction
Raft slabs – How to build insulated frost protected shallow foundations on problem soils
How to build on sites with expansive soils, high water tables and poor bearing capacity, and to build a frost protected shallow foundation easily in cold climates.
ecohome
The whole-house systems approach
Doing a major retrofit or building a new house with energy efficiency in mind? This framework, presented by energy.gov, considers the house as an energy system with interdependent parts, each of which affects the performance of the entire system. A great starting point!
energy.gov
Access points like windows and doors are major sources of air and heat loss in our homes. Find resources here to learn more about high-efficiency windows and doors, plus materials and testing.
learning: windows + doors
A guide to passive house windows
The world’s leading standard in energy efficient construction is a Passive House, characterized by energy savings as high as 90%. Passive homes can maintain an almost constant temperature, requiring little energy for heating and avoiding high energy bills. Obviously, the windows and doors have to demonstrate far greater efficiency than conventional widows and doors, too.
Fenbro
Passive house windows: Your complete guide
Advanced window technology has drastically improved the energy efficiency of the windows in our home. At Rise, they have written in-depth guides about many types of windows. Start here.
Rise
Passive homes maintain optimal efficiency by trapping air–and heat energy–inside. As a result, passive homes require less energy to heat and cool, but they do need a constant supply of clean air. Here we look at systems for heating, cooling, venting and more.
learning: ventilation + heating
About natural ventilation
While passive houses rely on air-sealing and mechanical ventilation, some locations and houses can employ natural ventilation, using the natural movement of air to heat or cool the home. Learn more.
energy.gov
Whole-house ventilation systems
Passive houses, and even high-efficiency homes, typically use one of four basic mechanical whole-house ventilation systems — exhaust, supply, balanced, and energy recovery. Use this article and the great chart from energy.gov to learn more.
energy.gov
Environmental elements–like exposure to sun, rain and wind–are all taken into account when analyzing home efficiency and planning for retrofitting. Passive houses are put in spots to maximize existing energy patterns.
learning: placement
Sunrooms and sunspaces
Before you decide to add a sunspace to your existing home or new house design, remember that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing heating and cooling bills. This article on orientation, glazing and heat distribution will get you started.
energy.gov
Passive solar homes: introduction
Passive solar design takes advantage of a building’s site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use. A well-designed passive solar home first reduces heating and cooling loads through energy-efficiency strategies. Start here to figure out how solar will effect your passive home.
energy.gov
The building envelope around our home is the protective layer that keeps in heat and energy. Modern materials and applications mean we can make an excellent air seal–the most important factor in reducing energy usage.
planning: building envelope
Types of caulking
Use the handy chart in this guide from energy.gov to figure out which caulking you need for different spaces and applications.
energy.gov
Insulation and air-sealing products and services
Have an insulation or thermal bridging project? Get product information and locate professional services for a wide array of insulation and air sealing services here.
energy.gov
As an extension of the building envelope, one which roots our homes to the earth, making sure our foundations create a thermal barrier against living space is important. Advanced construction methods also have added benefits to efficiency.
planning: foundation + construction
Passive solar building design
Curious about designing a passive solar home? This comprehensive article from Wikipedia dives deep into the principle, options, materials and planning needed to get started.
Wikipedia
How to insulate crawlspaces properly as part of renovating an older home
Crawlspaces are becoming rare for new home construction in USA & Canada. If you’ve got a crawls space with damp, mold, odor & cold issues, here’s how to insulate it properly to fix it permanently & have a more comfortable home.
ecohome
Access points like windows and doors are major sources of air and heat loss in our homes. Find resources here to learn more about high-efficiency windows and doors, plus materials and testing.
planning: windows + doors
Green Building Advisor’s buying guide to windows
A resource for materials, styles, and ratings to help you choose the right windows.
Green Building Advisor
Windows and doors – buyers guide
Ready to get new, high-efficiency windows, doors or skylights? Start with this guide from energy.gov to learn about your options
energy.gov
Passive homes maintain optimal efficiency by trapping air–and heat energy–inside. As a result, passive homes require less energy to heat and cool, but they do need a constant supply of clean air. Here we look at systems for heating, cooling, venting and more.
planning: ventilation + heating
Whole-house ventilation systems
Passive houses, and even high-efficiency homes, typically use one of four basic mechanical whole-house ventilation systems — exhaust, supply, balanced, and energy recovery. Use this article and the great chart from energy.gov to learn more.
energy.gov
Introduction to ventilation
Ventilation is very important in an energy-efficient home. The “appropriate” amount and type of ventilation varies from home to home and from occupant to occupant. Learn about ventilation types and options with this quick article.
energy.gov
Environmental elements–like exposure to sun, rain and wind–are all taken into account when analyzing home efficiency and planning for retrofitting. Passive houses are put in spots to maximize existing energy patterns.
planning: placement
Guide to passive solar heating
Passive solar heating is one of several design approaches collectively called passive solar design. When combined properly, these strategies can contribute to the heating, cooling, and daylighting of nearly any building. The types of buildings that benefit from the application of passive solar heating range from barracks to large maintenance facilities.
Whole Building Design Guide
Passive solar building design
Curious about designing a passive solar home? This comprehensive article from Wikipedia dives deep into the principle, options, materials and planning needed to get started.
Wikipedia
The building envelope around our home is the protective layer that keeps in heat and energy. Modern materials and applications mean we can make an excellent air seal–the most important factor in reducing energy usage.
act: building envelope
Everything you need to know about passive house certification
A certified Passive House in North America & Canada can be certified by the Passive House Institute PHI or PHIUS, the US certification system. Discover the differences to decide which Passive House certification is best for you…
ecohome
Air sealing for new home construction
Minimizing air movement in and out of a house is key to building an energy-efficient home. Controlling air leakage is also critical to moisture control. Before developing an air sealing strategy, consider the interactions among air sealing materials and techniques and other building components.
enery.gov
As an extension of the building envelope, one which roots our homes to the earth, making sure our foundations create a thermal barrier against living space is important. Advanced construction methods also have added benefits to efficiency.
act: foundation + construction
How to insulate crawlspaces properly as part of renovating an older home
Crawlspaces are becoming rare for new home construction in USA & Canada. If you’ve got a crawls space with damp, mold, odor & cold issues, here’s how to insulate it properly to fix it permanently & have a more comfortable home.
ecohome
Raft slabs – How to build insulated frost protected shallow foundations on problem soils
How to build on sites with expansive soils, high water tables and poor bearing capacity, and to build a frost protected shallow foundation easily in cold climates.
ecohome
Access points like windows and doors are major sources of air and heat loss in our homes. Find resources here to learn more about high-efficiency windows and doors, plus materials and testing.
act: windows + doors
Green Building Advisor’s buying guide to windows
A resource for materials, styles, and ratings to help you choose the right windows.
Green Building Advisor
Top tips for buying high-performance windows
The quality of windows you install will have a big impact on both your comfort and your heating bill. Here is a guide to help you choose the best windows for your high performance home.
ecohome
Passive homes maintain optimal efficiency by trapping air–and heat energy–inside. As a result, passive homes require less energy to heat and cool, but they do need a constant supply of clean air. Here we look at systems for heating, cooling, venting and more.
act: ventilation + heating
Air sealing for new home construction
Minimizing air movement in and out of a house is key to building an energy-efficient home. Controlling air leakage is also critical to moisture control. Before developing an air sealing strategy, consider the interactions among air sealing materials and techniques and other building components.
enery.gov
Environmental elements–like exposure to sun, rain and wind–are all taken into account when analyzing home efficiency and planning for retrofitting. Passive houses are put in spots to maximize existing energy patterns.
act: placement
Guide to passive solar heating
Passive solar heating is one of several design approaches collectively called passive solar design. When combined properly, these strategies can contribute to the heating, cooling, and daylighting of nearly any building. The types of buildings that benefit from the application of passive solar heating range from barracks to large maintenance facilities.
Whole Building Design Guide
Passive solar home construction
The first in a series of videos on how to build passively-heated homes, documenting how to build super-insulated energy efficient Passive Solar Homes like the Kenogami House.
ecohome
Extra learning resources: building envelope
Understand insulation
What is an R-value? What’s the best insulation for your climate zone? Wait, what is your climate zone? This is a great, brief article explaining what insulation is and the right type for you.
What–and why–is passive house?
A great primer from our friends at GO Logic explaining how to they make passive houses and why it’s so important.
Extra learning resources: foundation + construction
Extra learning resources: windows + doors
An intro to caulking
Caulk is a flexible material used to seal air leaks through cracks, gaps, or joints less than 1-quarter-inch wide between stationary building components and materials. For components that move — doors and operable windows, for example — weatherstripping is the appropriate material.
Extra learning resources: ventilation + heating
Ventilation systems for cooling
Ventilation is the least expensive and most energy-efficient way to cool buildings. This article from energy.gov goes over natural and mechanical ventilation systems.
Extra learning resources: passive solar + placement
Extra planning resources: building envelope
Extra planning resources: foundation + construction
Extra planning resources: windows + doors
Extra planning resources: ventilation + heating
Extra planning resources: passive solar + placement
Passive solar homes: introduction
Passive solar design takes advantage of a building’s site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use. A well-designed passive solar home first reduces heating and cooling loads through energy-efficiency strategies. Start here to figure out how solar will effect your passive home.
Energy 101: Geothermal heat pumps (video)
An energy-efficient heating and cooling alternative, the geothermal heat pump system moves heat from the ground to a building (or from a building to the ground) through a series of flexible pipe “loops” containing water.
Energy 101: What is daylighting? (video)
Daylighting—the use of windows or skylights for natural lighting and temperature regulation—is one building strategy that can save money for homeowners and businesses. Learn more with this video.
Extra action resources: building envelope
Insulation and air-sealing products and services
Have an insulation or thermal bridging project? Get product information and locate professional services for a wide array of insulation and air sealing services here.
Vapor barriers or vapor retarders
Mitigating moisture and giving water a clear path to exist the building assembly is critical for passive house builds and retrofits. Here, energy.gov explores two options for controlling moisture, along with some simple steps for installation and best practices.
Detecting air leaks
Ready to hunt for thermal bridges and air leaks? Use this energy.gov guide to get started.
Using sealing tape
Check out this video from Soudal Window Systems on how to seal up windows to protect your air barrier.
Extra action resources: foundation + construction
Extra action resources: windows + doors
Extra action resources: ventilation + heating
Extra action resources: passive solar + placement
Related upcoming trainings
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