What Is A Passive House And Why You Need It (4K)

Published 2023-07-26
Passive homes have gained significant recognition in recent years for their innovative and sustainable design principles. These houses are not just another architectural trend, but rather a response to the pressing need for energy-efficient and eco-friendly living spaces. With an emphasis on reducing energy consumption, passive houses have become a beacon of hope for mitigating the environmental impact of residential buildings.

The concept behind passive houses is simple yet revolutionary - to create homes that require minimal heating or cooling systems. By implementing a well-thought-out combination of insulation, solar energy utilization, and efficient ventilation, passive houses are able to maintain a comfortable indoor climate year-round without excessive reliance on fossil fuels.

One key feature of passive houses is their air-tightness, achieved through the use of continuous insulation and high-performance windows and doors. This not only prevents heat loss in cold weather but also keeps the interior cool during hot summer months. The carefully sealed structure ensures that external elements, such as drafts and pollutants, are kept at bay, resulting in a healthier and more comfortable living environment.

Another essential element of passive houses is their strategic use of solar energy. Large south-facing windows and properly positioned shading devices allow for optimal solar gain during winter months, while preventing overheating in the summer. Additionally, the inclusion of solar panels on the roof contributes to a considerable reduction in energy consumption, as passive houses generate a significant portion of their own electricity.

One of the most fascinating aspects of passive houses is their reliance on natural ventilation systems. By incorporating heat recovery ventilation (HRV), which continuously exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outside air, these homes maintain a constant supply of clean and filtered air. The HRV system also transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, further reducing the need for additional heating or cooling.

Apart from their impressive energy efficiency, passive houses offer numerous benefits to their occupants. The superior insulation and air-tightness result in a remarkably quiet living environment by minimizing external noise penetration. Additionally, these homes prioritize the use of non-toxic materials, ensuring improved indoor air quality and reducing the risk of allergies and respiratory issues.

While the concept of passive houses has gained significant traction, there are still challenges to overcome. The cost of constructing a passive house can be higher in comparison to traditional homes due to the specialized materials and systems required for their construction. However, it's important to consider the long-term benefits of lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact that these houses offer.

Reach out to us if you want to come check it out in person!

Schedule a 15-minute appointment to chat with me here:
www.broadviewavenue.ca/appointments

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Subscribe now to keep updated for more information.

If you want to chat with us, do the following:

1. Send an email at [email protected]; or
2. Send a direct message on my Instagram account below; or
3. Book an appointment for a 15-minute video chat using the link on our website.


If you’re not ready to reach out and just want to follow for more, find us online:

YouTube: youtube.com/kennethyimhomes?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennethyimhomes
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kennethyimhomes
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennethyimhomes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BroadviewAvenue
Web: www.broadviewavenue.ca/

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

All Comments (21)
  • @Hectorfuentest
    What a beautiful and inteligent home. Sadly the camera man was filming an spech not the beautiful features on it. Congrats to the architect!
  • @KnightSay
    I’ve been struggling with so many passive house designs looking very “classic”. But this one I really like. It’s contemporary & filled with light. Something that I’ll use as a bit of inspiration for my own one. Well done!
  • @amdo5873
    So funny watching this from Western Europe. How you are on awe about the tilting Window, thickness of the wall and 3 Tier window. Not saying that all houses have that here, but it is of a norm and we probably are taking it for granted. Love the house.
  • @yrrek1983
    If a passive house cost 25% more, just build a house that's 25% smaller (problem solved). With good attention paid to an efficient design layout you wouldn't even feel the reduced space, but you'll surely feel the passive house benefits.
  • @EternityCubed
    Very nice and well presented tour of this house and it's construction. It all makes a lot of sense, even if I am not sure if this would strictly be a "passive house". What surprises me though is that it is presented as something new or out of the ordinary. All of this is more or less standard for all new houses in Sweden for the last 25 years or so. My house is even built in 1989 and it has the majority of the concepts presented here - heat recovery fresh air ventilation in all rooms (extract in bathroom kitchen etc and supply in other rooms), triple glazed thermal windows, fully airtight vapor barriers in walls & roof, very well insulated, foundations & slab insulated and with capillary breaking materials etc... So it seems this is not the standard or normal in Canada then?
  • Thanks for the erv explanation. I am going with south facing large planter in my cottage. Plants give off lots of moisture.
  • @TomLap-qd6xc
    Awesome video, we are trying to build a small but very efficient home. There are so many ways to get there but the basics seem to run through.
  • @DDELE7
    You have a beautiful home. I hope one day I can build something like that for my family.
  • Very well thought out. Love it. Changing those lights? Guessing that would be rare and less dust.
  • @giosaniii8329
    What did/does the house go for price wise? & from as someone from Wisconsin, what would a standard house about the same size go for in that area?
  • @cabanasolar9730
    It is my goal a Netzero cabin, running here 💯 percent in solar energy for the last 10 years every year I improve a little in insolation , my 600 square foot kabin is being heat with a mini wood stove and electric infrared heating, hope fully in couple more year I will be all solar
  • @TessaLeigh
    What an amazing space! The most polluted air most uf us breathe is inside of our homes. I have large hepa air purifiers in every room. The line that struck me was "fighting a losing battle" with small appliance air purifiers. So true! Wondering if this sealed, passive solar house also good for reducing fire risk in areas prone to seasonal fires? Many people in northern California are building without fireplaces and limited entry points for a fire to jump inside the house. Now I want to build my dream house like this!! So gorgeous!!
  • @joaosil
    Hi, how did he deal with the kitchen cooker hood? Did he make it ducted to the outside? Excelent video.
  • I like conditioned attics rather than blown insulation. The amount of heat and cold in that space is greater than outside a lot of the time. And that radiates into places. Where as a conditioned space helps radiate the indoor temps through out the structure.
  • @MrKennyblv
    Hey Ken.. Can we have a full walk through your of the house.. For us that Like floor plans 😊