An Exclusive Interview with One Exceptionally Airtight Home
It’s not every day you meet a building that knows its own energy use down to the BTU. But in a world where carbon footprint, indoor air quality, and climate resilience are becoming common household terms, one structure is adding a new perspective by speaking up.
Today we sit down with a newly certified passive house. Yes, a house. We wanted to know what it’s like to live a low-energy life. What does airtightness actually feel like? And why would a building want to be passive house certified in the first place?
We began our conversation, as one does, in the mechanical room.
You’ve just been through a major transformation. How does it feel to be passive house certified?
It feels right. Like I was built with a purpose from day one. I’ve seen what the other buildings go through. Patchy insulation, drafty windows, systems that are always playing catch-up. But I was designed differently. Everything here works in sync. I’m comfortable, efficient, and quiet in a way that feels intentional.
Passive house certification is known for its high performance criteria. What made your team decide to pursue it?
It started with a decision to do things differently. The team didn’t want to settle for minimum code requirements. They wanted to create a building that would perform well, feel good to live in, and stand the test of time. Phius Certification gave them a clear path to do that. The design process was detailed, but it paid off. It wasn’t about chasing the label. It was about the quality of the result and building a better building.
Can you walk us through the process? Was it difficult?
It takes a certain level of collaboration and commitment to quality you don’t usually see in construction. There’s no shortcut to airtightness or thermal continuity. My team modeled everything from the beginning—window orientation, mechanical loads, insulation levels—so each decision supported the performance of the whole system. Then everything is reviewed and verified on site during construction. And yes, the blower door test was a bit revealing. But it also proved we did the work. I passed at 0.6 ACH50, which is the threshold for certification. I don’t mean to brag but that’s six times tighter than a typical new home.
Most buildings do not get much say in how they are put together. What was it like to be part of such a thoughtful design process?
It changed everything. I wasn't treated like an object or just another fast-paced project. I was finally treated as a system. The team considered how heat would move through me, how my walls manage moisture, air and vapor, and how people would actually live inside me. It feels good to know everything is designed with performance in mind. You can feel it in every room. And it’s so quiet. A lot of people forget to mention that when talking about passive houses.
Now that you are certified, what is daily life like?
Balanced. Predictable, in the best way. The temperature stays steady throughout the day, regardless of what is happening outside. My ERV ventilation system brings in fresh air while sending stale air out, recycling heat and saving energy in the process. The air stays comfortable. No dryness in the winter. No humidity spikes in the summer. And the people inside feel the difference. They sleep better and breathe easier. One of them described it as living in a house that knows what comfort is supposed to feel like. It makes me proud and happy to know people are comfortable inside my walls.
You mentioned energy use earlier. How efficient are we talking?
I use around 4.75 kBtu per square foot per year for heating. That is the passive house limit. Compared to a conventional building, that can be 70-90% less heating. Because I am so well insulated and sealed, my systems are smaller, quieter, and built to last longer. Energy bills are low. The temperature is consistent. Even during a blackout, I can hold heat for hours. It is a quiet kind of resilience. Like a thermos or igloo cooler, but with curb appeal.
There is growing awareness around energy and climate responsibility. As a certified Passive House, where do you fit into that conversation?
I am not the full solution, but I’m part of it. Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% percent of global energy-related emissions. If we keep designing the same way, we’ll be living with the consequences for generations. Passive house offers a better way of building. It is not about flashy technology or greenwashing. It’s about lowering demand, improving health, and building something that lasts. That’s the kind of legacy I want.
Any advice for other buildings, or for the people building them?
Do not wait. If you are starting from scratch, design with performance in mind from the beginning. If you are renovating, focus on what matters most. Windows, insulation, and air sealing. Passive Certification is more than just a set of principles or a promise of a better future. It’s a performance approach to design with measurable impacts. The systems are right-sized, efficient, and designed to serve the whole, not overcompensate for its flaws. And in turn, people get a comfortable, healthy, durable home for these modern times.
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