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| PGH self-certification seal. |
Which Standard is Better for Passive Buildings?
Passive buildings are structures that use very little energy for heating and cooling while providing a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. They achieve this by using high levels of insulation, airtight construction, heat recovery ventilation, and passive solar design. Passive buildings can reduce energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional buildings and also offer benefits such as improved indoor air quality, noise reduction, and resilience to power outages.
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The Benefits of PHIUS are:
- PHIUS-certified buildings can save up to 90% of energy costs compared to conventional buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
- PHIUS-certified buildings provide superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance, enhancing the well-being and productivity of occupants.
- PHIUS-certified buildings are resilient and durable, able to withstand extreme weather events and power outages with minimal disruption.
- PHIUS-certified buildings are cost-effective and affordable, with lower operating and maintenance costs and higher market value.
Cons of PHIUS are:
- PHIUS is an added expense
- PHIUS house raters are few and far between
- PHIUS is an extra step of self-imposed regulation to meet certification
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| PGH book is a common sense approach to passive design. |
The pretty good house approach is a design philosophy that aims to create energy-efficient, comfortable, and durable homes without relying on complex or expensive technologies. The concept was developed by a group of architects, builders, and engineers who wanted to find a balance between conventional construction practices and the high-performance standards of the passive house approach. In this blog post, I will explain the pros and cons of the pretty good house approach and how it can benefit homeowners and the environment.
Pros of the pretty good house approach:
- PGH is flexible and adaptable. The pretty good house approach does not prescribe a specific set of rules or criteria, but rather encourages designers and builders to use their judgment and creativity to achieve the best results for each project. The approach can be applied to different climates, site conditions, budgets and aesthetic preferences.
- PGH is cost-effective and practical. The pretty good house approach focuses on using simple and proven strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve indoor comfort, such as insulation, air sealing, ventilation, orientation, shading and windows. These measures are relatively easy to implement and do not require expensive or specialized equipment or materials.
- PGH is environmentally friendly and resilient. The pretty good house approach reduces the environmental impact of buildings by minimizing the use of fossil fuels, water and materials. It also enhances the durability and longevity of homes by preventing moisture problems, thermal bridging and air leakage. The approach also makes homes more resilient to extreme weather events and power outages by providing passive heating and cooling and backup systems.
Cons of the pretty good house approach:
- PGH is not standardized or certified. The pretty good house approach does not have a clear definition or a recognized certification program, which makes it difficult to compare or evaluate its performance and quality. It also leaves room for interpretation and variation, which can lead to inconsistency and confusion among designers, builders and homeowners.
- PGH is not optimized or verified. The pretty good house approach does not use rigorous modeling or testing tools to optimize or verify the energy efficiency and comfort of homes. It relies on rules of thumb, experience and intuition, which can result in suboptimal or inaccurate outcomes. It also does not provide feedback or monitoring data to track or improve the performance of homes over time.
- PGH is not ambitious or innovative. The pretty good house approach aims to achieve a reasonable level of performance, but not necessarily the best possible one. It does not challenge or push the boundaries of design and construction to achieve higher standards of excellence or innovation. It also does not incorporate or explore new technologies or solutions that could enhance the functionality or sustainability of homes.
I hope that helps. If you want to discuss the benefits of passive homes for your build, contact me at info@plan.house.