Green Venture staff had the privilege of attending the annual Passive House Canada Conference, held this year in Hamilton, Ontario. The conference successfully showcased the latest advancements in technologies, policies, and collaborations that contribute not only to global recognition but also to a comprehensive understanding of the adaptable nature and proven efficacy of this holistic compliance path for both new and existing buildings. As emphasized by Chris Ballard, the building industry finds itself at a pivotal moment, with government bodies, builders, developers and owners actively seeking innovation and swift integration of high-performance building code tiers. This vision aligns harmoniously with the conference’s overarching theme of expedited adoption efforts, facilitated by an exceptional level of collaboration among all stakeholders and industry representatives.
Several buildings throughout Hamilton have taken the spotlight when it comes to Passive House design that municipalities everywhere can learn from. Here are the top 5:
- Coronation Park Apartments: 103-unit affordable housing apartment tower retrofitted to Passive House standard, located at 8 Roxanne, Hamilton, ON
- James North Baptist / North End Landing Passive House: One of Canada’s largest mixed-use Passive House projects. The three-story apartment building above the church consists of 45 one and two-bedroom apartments tenant common areas, staff offices, bike storage and other amenity spaces.
- Ken Soble Tower: The project took an existing Social Housing building that was nearing end of life and retrofitted it to meet EnerPHit, with improved accessibility, daylight, thermal control and ventilation. Full reclad with exterior insulation, new plumbing and ducting were part of the work done.
- 257 King William Street: This development is targeting Passive House Certification, and leverages the superior quality control of prefab production in a factory setting
- Putman Family YWCA Mixed-Use Affordable Housing: The YWCA Ottawa Street is a 50-unit affordable housing & community center that is leading by example, proving that low-income housing can be built on a modest budget to the highest energy standard. In doing this, the building can become a tool for social empowerment of its occupants.
The conference programming was designed with a focus on highlighting investment and collaboration opportunities that target embodied carbon reduction, enhance climate resilience, leverage policy and regulation frameworks, and stimulate growth in the prefabrication and component manufacturing sectors across Canada. Historically, Passive House projects heavily relied on imported components from Europe. However, we have observed a notable shift, with an increasing number of high-performance components for Passive House buildings now being manufactured within North America. This localization of production has led to cost reductions, making Passive House more economically feasible. A significant recommendation conveyed to home and building owners was the utilization of the standardized planning package provided by Passive House, which outlines the foundational requirements for certification. In cases where budget constraints arise, it is advised to start from the Passive House standard and gradually work towards it, rather than commencing with the minimum code requirements and attempting to upgrade later. Notably, during the proceedings, it became evident that mass timber and prefabrication represent pivotal elements in the decarbonization efforts pertaining to existing houses and buildings.
A great way to understand the benefits of Passive House is to tour one in person! On June 14th, an exclusive tour in Toronto will be conducted by a knowledgeable homeowner, accompanied by esteemed Passive House tradespeople and other expert consultants. For individuals with a keen interest and who happen to be located in the Toronto vicinity, this presents an exceptional opportunity to gain deeper insights into the principles and practices of Passive House construction. We encourage participation in the Passive House Pulse Toronto event as this may be a great opportunity to learn more: Passive House Pulse Toronto
Another exciting announcement at the conference was the launch of the Building Performance Assurance Council (BPAC). This initiative is set to scale up the adoption of Passive House by “streamlining the construction and verification of buildings that meet the performance targets identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations (UN) as needed to get countries, including Canada and the U.S., to meet the Paris Agreement targets.” This initiative will also help reduce project costs, provide assurance and verification as well as develop a database of buildings pursuing these targeted outcomes that will be publicly available. To learn more, watch the BPAC session from the annual conference: Building Performance Assurance Council (BPAC) 2023 Launch
Here are some key benefits and findings associated with the Passive House Standard for homeowners:
- Energy Efficiency: The primary benefit of the Passive House Standard is its exceptional energy efficiency. Buildings constructed to this standard can reduce heating and cooling energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional buildings. This results in significant energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Comfort and Indoor Air Quality: Passive House buildings are designed to provide exceptional thermal comfort by maintaining stable indoor temperatures throughout the year. High-quality insulation, airtight construction, and mechanical ventilation systems ensure consistent indoor air quality and minimize drafts, cold spots, and overheating.
- Health and Well-being: The standard emphasizes creating healthy living environments. Proper ventilation and air filtration systems ensure a constant supply of fresh air, reducing the presence of pollutants, allergens, and toxins. This improves indoor air quality, creating a healthier and more comfortable living or working environment.
- Durability and Resilience: Passive House buildings are designed with airtightness, high-quality insulation, and careful moisture management. This approach helps prevent condensation, mold growth, and other issues that can affect a building’s durability. By focusing on robust construction and high-performance building materials, Passive House buildings can have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance.
- Cost Savings: While the upfront costs of designing and constructing a Passive House building can be higher compared to conventional buildings, the long-term cost savings can be significant. The reduced energy consumption translates into lower utility bills over the life of the building, offsetting the initial investment.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Adopting the Passive House Standard contributes to mitigating climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By decreasing reliance on fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems, Passive House buildings help to lower carbon footprints and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
- Adaptability and Future-proofing: The Passive House Standard’s principles of high-performance building envelope, energy efficiency, and indoor comfort can be applied to various building types and climates. This adaptability allows for its implementation in both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings, making it a versatile and scalable solution for sustainable construction.
With over 350 in-person attendees, this conference has been the most successful Passive House conference yet. Our unwavering belief is rooted in the power of active participation, effective communication, and knowledge sharing to ignite meaningful conversations among stakeholders in the building community, as well as homeowners, on the most efficacious strategies for propelling our city towards progress. It is crucial to recognize Passive House as a pivotal instrument within the broader market transformation towards healthier and more sustainable buildings. When combined with other complementary endeavors, we can unlock the true potential to significantly curtail emissions within the building sector. We urge you to continue exploring initiatives and adopt technologies that will position our city as an exemplary champion in the battle against climate change.
Exhibitors included:
Fire and Soundproofing Insulation | ROCKWOOL
Rothoblaas – materials for timber construction
Architectural Coatings – Acrylic Stucco | ADEX Systems Inc.
ENERsign® the world’s best energy efficient windows and doors | Passive
Simple Life Homes | Pre Fabricated Panels for High Performance Buildings
Vetta | Windows and Doors | High performance buildings | Ontario, Canada
High-Efficiency Mechanical Systems & Building Supplies in USA & Canada
Swegon – Feel good inside | www.swegon.com
SABMag – Dedicated to sustainable, high-performance building (sabmagazine.com)
