{"id":14329,"date":"2016-02-17T05:00:40","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=14329"},"modified":"2020-12-24T03:48:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T11:48:28","slug":"a-passive-phase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/","title":{"rendered":"A Passive Phase"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the U.S. building sector accounting for 7% of global primary energy consumption<\/a>, residential and commercial property developers are turning towards modern solutions, like Passive Homes, to increase energy efficiency in new and renovated properties.<\/p>\n

\"Belfield
Belfield Townhomes, Philadelphia. Courtesy photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Big Apple Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n

While it might be \u201cthe city that never sleeps,\u201d it wouldn\u2019t hurt to turn a light off once in a while! Though it\u2019s probably no surprise to learn that many of New York city\u2019s most expensive buildings aren\u2019t particularly energy efficient, in truth the numbers are quite shocking: 70% of the city\u2019s emissions are generated from New York City buildings. Even more eye opening\u20262% of those buildings account for more than half of the city\u2019s energy use.<\/p>\n

According to the advocacy group Climate Works for All<\/a>, ten of New York\u2019s most expensive buildings score an \u201cF\u201d in terms of energy efficiency based on Energy Use Intensity<\/a>. With several more luxury high rises and condominiums in the works, many property developers are looking for ways to lower the energy footprint of their buildings.<\/p>\n

One solution: Passive House Technologies.<\/p>\n

A Borough Apart<\/strong><\/p>\n

As all things fashionable and hip, Brooklyn is the epicenter of New York City\u2019s passive house movement. In fact, a majority of the New York\u2019s 28 passive building projects are located in or around Brooklyn, including homes in Williamsburg, townhouses in Park Place, and condominiums in Prospect Heights. Some of the passive properties are new constructions projects, but many more are retrofits of existing structures, including a historic house in Brooklyn Heights whose classic fa\u00e7ade remains unchanged, despite the addition of super insulation around its double-height windows.<\/p>\n

In all, Brooklyn is home to more than 20 residences and commercial buildings that fit the passive house guidelines, but because many property owners follow the standards without seeking official certification, the total number of passive properties is estimated to be much, much higher. The relative ease of adding insulating features to new and preexisting structures combined with a significant reduction in heating and cooling costs makes adopting passive home technologies a \u201cno brainer\u201d \u2013 which is certainly part of the reason the passive home movement is expanding throughout the U.S.<\/p>\n

A National Trend<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Curbed New York<\/a>, passive homes are \u201cthe latest trend in sustainable building.\u201d These structures go beyond the familiar LEED certification by incorporating airtight building envelopes that reduce heating and cooling needs and increase energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

Passive buildings make their biggest impact by incorporating climate control into their very architecture. Insulated roofs and double-hung windows work with other modern building materials to create a nearly hermetic indoor environment impervious to outdoor temperature variations. With energy efficient air circulation, these structures stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and provide quiet, ambient work and living spaces for inhabitants. Many of the buildings also include passive solar technologies and strategic renovation plans that take advantage of existing building designs \u2013 some dating back hundreds of years \u2013 to mitigate energy needs.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., the Passive House Institute (PHIUS)<\/a> and Passive House Alliance US (PHAUS) have begun establishing a set of building codes, standards, training and certifications. Designed to codify Passive Home construction stateside, the PHIUS and PHAUS benchmarks aim to \u201cachieve overall energy savings of 60 to 70 percent and 90 percent of space heating without applying expensive \u2018active\u2019 technologies like photovoltaics or solar thermal hot-water systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playing Catch Up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Europe is currently leading the Passive House charge, with an estimated 20,000 certified structure across the continent, the majority in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia<\/a>. The U.S. lags behind, with only 13 structures completed as of 2010. While this new set of projects won\u2019t close that continental gap any time, it\u2019s a good start that will hopefully increase momentum and inspire similar projects around the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many beautiful Passive Home buildings around the world,\u201d Passive House specialist Tim McDonald recently told Green Building & Design Magazine<\/a>. \u201cOne of the problems [in the US] is that there just aren\u2019t enough excellent architects designing Passive House buildings yet. But you really don\u2019t have to compromise style for a Passive House. It\u2019s a symbiotic relationship between one\u2019s design and the Passive House parameters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notable U.S. Passive Homes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tighthouse, New York<\/a>: New York City\u2019s first certified Passive House is actually a renovated Brooklyn Brownstone. Located at 23 Park Place, this renovated townhouse dates back to 1899.<\/p>\n

\"Tighthouse
Tighthouse photo by Hai Zhang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thanks to a redesign and restoration spearheaded by Fabrica718 and Studio Cicetti, the house records almost zero heat loss during the winter. Thermal imagery<\/a> of the home is striking, clearly illustrating how this brownstone retrofit stands out among its energy-wasting neighbors. The home uses 75% less energy than surrounding buildings yet the construction costs were comparable to adjacent properties. The owners anticipate saving thousands of dollars in energy costs over the life of the home.<\/p>\n

R-951, Brooklyn<\/a>: This ambitious project in Prospect Heights includes just three apartments, but plenty of energy saving additions. Though the building itself is quite small, the developers plan to include rooftop solar panels, extreme insulation and even a rainwater catchment system in order to make it the first building in New York City to achieve both passive house and net-zero capable certifications. The three 1500-sqft units will have high ceilings, lots of natural light, and state of the ventilation and building envelope technologies.<\/p>\n

Waldsee Biohause<\/a>: Located at the German Language Village in Bemidji, Minnesota, the Waldsee BioHaus Environmental Living Center was designed by architect Stephan Tanner (INTEP, LLC) based on Germany\u2019s Passivhaus standards. A team effort between Minnesota and Munich, this language immersion camp combines a learning center with a residence for camp guests. The House uses 85% less energy than standard homes built to Minnesota building code regulations.<\/p>\n

VOLKSHouse<\/a>: Santa Fe\u2019s VOLKSHouse, this home is New Mexico\u2019s first certified Passive House, using 90% less energy for heating and cooling than an average home in the state and reducing energy costs per square foot by more than 6%. Described as \u201ca response to America\u2019s overuse of energy resources,\u201d VOLKSHouse serves as a training model and educational tool for builders and developers throughout the state.
\nBelfield Avenue Townhome<\/a>, Philadelphia, PA: This affordable housing complex, designed by OnionFlats, utilizes modular structures and factory built units to provide a simple, modern home to its residents. Completed in 2012, Belfield Townhomes houses three families and is Philadelphia\u2019s first certified Passive House project. Located in a colder climate zone than some of the other Passive Houses on this list, the Belfield Avenue Townhomes use a solar array and intricate electrical circuitry to fine-tune energy use and monitor indoor temperatures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the U.S. building sector accounting for 7% of global primary energy consumption, residential and commercial property developers are turning towards modern solutions, like Passive Homes, to increase energy efficiency in new and renovated properties. Big Apple Energy While it might be \u201cthe city that never sleeps,\u201d it wouldn\u2019t hurt to turn a light off […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":14331,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_s2mail":"yes","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[614,504,818,10,29,1340,31],"class_list":["post-14329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-design","tag-eco-friendly","tag-environment","tag-green-building","tag-multifamily","tag-passive-homes","tag-sustainability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYardi Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With the U.S. building sector accounting for 7% of global primary energy consumption, residential and commercial property developers are turning towards\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Passive Phase\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the U.S. building sector accounting for 7% of global primary energy consumption, residential and commercial property developers are turning towards\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Yardi Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-02-17T13:00:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-12-24T11:48:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2015\/12\/BelfieldTownhomes.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"868\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"580\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cutright Elizabeth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cutright Elizabeth\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/\",\"name\":\"A Passive Phase - Yardi Corporate Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2015\/12\/BelfieldTownhomes.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-02-17T13:00:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-12-24T11:48:28+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/dba832121806bbec3d280d6cdde90b4d\"},\"description\":\"With the U.S. building sector accounting for 7% of global primary energy consumption, residential and commercial property developers are turning towards\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/a-passive-phase\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2015\/12\/BelfieldTownhomes.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2015\/12\/BelfieldTownhomes.jpg\",\"width\":868,\"height\":580,\"caption\":\"Belfield Townhomes, Philadelphia. 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