Project Description
Residence Eight is the 41st home in the United States to achieve the Passive House Certification through PHIUS (Passive House Institute, US) …but it is the very first one to be built by a production builder. The builder offers the Certification Package as a upgrade from the base plan. The estimated monthly utility bill for the home is $90.00 a month. The principles of Passive House Design (a super insulated shell, minimizing air infiltration and thermal bridging, and providing home comfort through the use of downsized mechanical systems) can be difficult in custom home building, bringing these concepts to a production building environment was even more challenging. Implementing the Passive House strategies generated several issues that the team collectively solved. The use of a double framed wall, (still using advanced framing techniques,) triple pane windows, minimizing thermal bridging, and a mechanical system that met the 4.75 kBTU/sq.ft yr. requirements were the main deviations from common construction practices. The introduction of the Residence Eight Passive House offers consumers another opportunity to make a conscience home purchase, yet live close to Denver.