Sustainability

What is a High-Performance Home?

High-performance homes are wholistically designed to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of their inhabitants as well as the community and environment they are a part of. They use forward-thinking best-practices and technologies to make comfortable, healthy spaces, that are energy-efficient and durable.

The performance of each project is tailored to the unique needs and desires of the homeowners - they may be a “pretty good house”, a passive house, or an all-electric zero energy home.

What are the Benefits?

  • One of the primary advantages of high-performance building is its positive impact on health and comfort. By implementing advanced insulation techniques, airtight construction, and proper ventilation systems, these houses create an environment that maintains comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. Drafts and cold spots are eliminated, ensuring occupants can enjoy consistent warmth and comfort in every room.

    The same measures also minimize transmission of unwanted exterior noises, allowing residents to enjoy a peaceful and serene atmosphere within their homes.

  • By continuously exchanging stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air, high-performance buildings reduce the presence of airborne pollutants, allergens, and contaminants. This ensures that inhabitants breathe cleaner air, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and promoting overall well-being.

    A meticulous material selection process reduces or eliminates the use of VOCs and other toxic-materials while promoting the use of local materials and those with low embodied carbon.

  • The durability of high-performance buildings is unparalleled. They are designed to ensure a long-lasting and low-maintenance dwelling that retains its value for generations to come.

    This approach can also prioritize self-sufficiency and the ability to withstand disruptions in energy supply or adverse environmental conditions, providing homeowners with a sense of security and long-term stability. By harnessing renewable energy sources like solar panels and geothermal systems, homeowners can produce clean electricity for their own use, reducing reliance on external energy providers and mitigating the impact of rising energy costs over time.

  • Choosing to build and live in a high-performance house is an act of stewardship which demonstrates a commitment to a greener future, leaving a positive legacy for future generations.

    All of the efficiency measures work together to dramatically reduces energy use, helping mitigate the harmful effects of most current energy generation methods. High-performance buildings are built for the future, and help do their part in the transition to a clean energy future.

How Does it Work?

  • High-performance buildings feature a well-insulated shell, which acts as a warm blanket enveloping the house. This insulation significantly reduces heat transfer through walls, floors, and roofs, minimizing thermal bridging and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. High-performance windows, often triple-glazed, further enhance insulation while allowing ample natural light to enter and fresh air to circulate, contributing to the occupants' well-being.

  • To ensure superior air quality, reduced heat loss, and enhanced durability, high-performance buildings employ air-tight construction techniques. Field testing ensures that the desired performance is delivered.

    To maintain fresh and healthy indoor air, mechanical ventilation systems are incorporated to provide continuous filtered fresh air while efficiently recovering heat from the outgoing air.

  • Energy use is further reduced by the use of highly efficient mechanical systems and appliances. Technologies including ground and air-source heat pumps, induction cooking, and heat-pump water heaters are all-electric technologies that offer improved functionality and comfort while dramatically reducing energy use and resulting utility bills.

  • The minimized annual energy usage can often be fully offset by a modest solar array to create a zero energy home.

What level of performance is right for me?

Each home is a unique reflection of the goals, aspirations, and lifestlye of its inhabitants. As with all aspects, the target performance for each design is unique and individualized.

For owners who would like to target a specific performance level, multiple certifications are available including:

  • Passive House (Phius and PHI)

  • Living Building Challenge

  • LEED For Homes

  • DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes

Learn More

Whether certified or not, our approach to high-performance buildings follows the principals of Passive House. The following video provides a quick introduction. For more detailed information contact us to chat or check out the Passive House Accelerator website.