The resources in our library have been created by trusted Passive House professionals and researchers around the world.
Whether you’re a building industry professional, policy maker or homeowner, you’ll find research reports, brochures and case studies you can share with clients and colleagues.
If you can’t find the information you need here please email us info@passivehousecanada.com.
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- Research
- Passive House Basics
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Developer's Guide to Passive House Buildings
This guide outlines the process and resources that will enable you to become a successful Passive House developer.
Net-Zero Energy-Ready Challenge Winners Series
Skeena Residence: Case Study
When the University of British Columbia decided to add another student residence to their Okanagan campus in 2017, the UBC Board of Governors decided to pursue Passive House certification for the project to affirm UBC’s reputation as a leader in sustainability. This was an ambitious goal. Not only was this going to be UBC’s first Passive House project, but no other educational institution in Canada had yet attempted Passive House certification for a student residence.
Design and Construction of low energy Houses in Saskatchewan by H.W. Orr. 1982
As a result of the need to reduce energy use, this report from 1982, provides some of background on these developments in the Prairies. It describes details of wall and foundation designs that have been used that are still relevant today!
Plenty of steam around extractors
Passive House Institute examines extractor hood systems in energy efficient buildings
Darmstadt, Germany. In a new study, the Passive House Institute focuses on systems for vapour extractors, with the research report also resulting in a handbook for extractor hoods in Passive House buildings. This contains the key principles for a compatible system and its dimensioning.
Guidelines for Energy Advisors – Setting Airtightness Values for Energy Modelling of Part 9 Buildings for Compliance with the BC Energy Step Code
This bulletin provides guidance to Energy Advisors1 and other energy modellers who are modelling Part 9 buildings to comply with the BC Energy Step Code. It is also intended for building officials and others interested in compliance paths of the BC Energy Step Code.
Passivhaus: the route to zero carbon?
This paper therefore examines the validity of Zero Carbon as a concept and then goes on to suggest how Passivhaus might be used as part of a Zero Carbon strategy.
Passive House Canada Education Brochure
This Education Brochure provides industry professionals with outlines for courses and training offered through Passive House Canada.
PHPP ASHRAE 140 Validation Report
In January 2019, the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) version 9.6 was evaluated in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140, a comparative testing method for building energy programs.
Indoor Pools built to the Passive House Standard
Press release containing benefits to Municipalities to build indoor pools to the Passive House Standard.
Passive House Solutions (2018)
Presentation from Brandon Nicholson the High Rise Passive House workshop on April 25th at UBC Robson Square.
Big Buildings: Lessons from New York and Vancouver (2018)
Presentation from Lois Arena and Monte Paulsen the High Rise Passive House workshop on April 25th at UBC Robson Square.
Nr.44 Planning aspects of ventilation systems in non-residential buildings
How can the structural and financial effort for a ventilation system remain within limits? What needs to be given attention with regard to the efficiency of controlled ventilation, and what must be kept in mind with reference to ventilation in summer? The present article deals with the relevant aspects of ventilation planning for non-residential Passive House buildings.
You must have access to iPHA's Passipedia to access this resource. To become an affiliate member of iPHA, visit: https://www.passivehousecanada.com/membership/
A Primer on High Performance - Passive House Buildings (2017)
Presentation by Rob Bernhardt, Passive House Canada, and Doug Owens, Brookfield Residential, at the Nov 8-9, 2017, Buildex Calgary Passive House seminar series.
An Affordable Reality: Bringing Passive House to Yale First Nation (2017)
Presentation by Craig Mitchell, Britco, and Crystal Sedore, Yale First Nation, at the Nov 8-9, 2017, Buildex Calgary Passive House seminar series.
Living and Learning: Passive House Style (2017)
Presentation by Trevor Butler, P.Eng., Archineers, and Brett Sichello, Brett Sichello Design, at the Nov 8-9, 2017, Buildex Calgary Passive House seminar series.
Passive House: Barriers Removed Lessons From Calgary’s First Passive Houses (2017)
Presentation by Frank Crawford, P.Eng., and David Smith at the Nov 8-9, 2017, Buildex Calgary Passive House seminar series.
Large, Complex, and Non-Residential Buildings (2017)
Presentation by Stuart Hood, P.Eng., Scott Ghomeshi, P.Eng., and Andy Chong, P.Eng., of the Integral Group, at October 31, 2017 Passive House Deep Dive, Vancouver, BC.
Ventilation Design Considerations for Passive House Multifamily Residential Buildings (2017)
Presentation by Hugh Crowther, Swegon, at October 31, 2017 Passive House Deep Dive, Vancouver, BC.
Primary Energy Renewable (PER): Strategies for Staying within Limits (2017)
Presentation by Monte Paulsen, PHI-accredited Building Certifier, at October 31, 2017 Passive House Deep Dive, Vancouver, BC.
Feasibility of Implementing the Passivhaus Standard for Tall Residential Buildings (2017)
A research study by FXFOWLE to evaluate the applicability of the Passive House Standard to tall residential buildings in one of the densest cities in North America, New York. The study is a comparative analysis of a base-case building design that targets a LEED v3 Silver rating to a Passivhaus design for the same building. The base-case building is large, mixed-use multifamily housing project currently under construction.
High Performance: Making the Buildings-Energy Equation Sustainable (2017)
Practices, paths and technologies available now to achieve transformative building and energy innovation. Produced by Dr. James Freihaut, Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University and Lisa Tryson, Director of Corporate Communications, Danfoss.
Passive House Accelerates (2016)
Produced by the North American Passive House Network this is the Passive House ‘2016 State of the Industry’ book for the whole continent. Seven chapters cover policy, economics, QA/QC, commercial highlights, residential leaders, systems and resilience.
The Business Case for Passive House (2015)
The most comprehensive market and financial research available regarding Passive House construction in Canada to date. Phase two of the research will cover building performance monitoring and verification, and research based on larger projects.
The Economics of Passive House | Costing Study on Passive House for Single Family Homes in Vancouver (2015)
This study was completed to assess the costs and economics of Passive House single family homes in the City of Vancouver to help owners, designers, and builders compare the costs of “Passive House” construction for a variety of different assemblies and systems to minimum VBBL requirements for energy performance.
Passive Design Toolkit for Larger Buildings (2014)
Developed by the City of Vancouver, the toolkit details ways to reduce energy use in new buildings, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver.
Passivhaus primer: Introduction (2014)
An aid to understanding the key principles of the Passivhaus Standard produced by BRE Trust in the UK.
Passive Design Toolkit for Homes (2014)
Developed by the City of Vancouver, the toolkit details ways to reduce energy use in new buildings, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver.
iPHA Passive House Brochure (2014)
This edition includes clear explanations of Passive House basics along with brand new material on topics such as energy retrofitting, non-residential Passive House Buildings, Passive House in warm climates and the use of renewables. There is also a new chapter on the 2014 Passive House Award winners.
Passivhaus: An Introduction (2013)
A UK-based introductory guide to the Passive House standard, produced by the Passivhaus Trust, the UK Passive House Organization
BC Reference Procedure for using THERM to Determine Window Performance Values for use with the Passive House Planning Package
This reference procedure document and methodology clarifies the differences between North American and Passive House window thermal energy performance standards, and provides a way for North American window manufacturers and energy simulation practitioners to accurately determine the energy performance parameters required to qualify them for use in Passive House buildings designed to the International Passive House Standard (IPHS). It shows how the industry-standard and publicly available LBL THERM software, together with a Microsoft Excel worksheet, can be used to accomplish this in a manner recognized by the Passive House Institute.
Planning guidelines for Passive House indoor swimming pools
The energy demand of indoor swimming pools can be reduced significantly by consistently applying the high energy efficiency approach of the Passive House concept. This not only contributes to climate protection but also entails savings for the financial resources of a municipality. These guideline documents summarise the main research findings and provide recommendations to support the design, construction and long-term operation of highly energy efficient indoor swimming pools.
