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id="article-guide-chapter-toggle" class="article--guide__nav-button article--guide__nav-button--menu" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="article-guide-chapter-menu" aria-label="Toggle Chapter Menu" title="Toggle Chapter Menu" data-behavior="expandable-menu-trigger"> Chapter </button> <ul id="article-guide-chapter-menu" class="article--guide__chapter__menu__options" aria-labelledby="article-guide-chapter-toggle" role="menu" data-behavior="expandable-menu"> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=energy-efficiency-2"> Energy Efficiency </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=hvac-systems-and-water-heaters"> HVAC Systems and Water Heaters </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=air-sealing-and-insulation"> Air-Sealing and Insulation </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=solar-power-and-electrification"> Solar Power and Electrification </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=deep-energy-retrofits"> Deep Energy Retrofits </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a class="is-active" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit?c=energy-efficient-houses"> Energy-Efficient Houses </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> </section> <div class="article__wrap container"> <div class="article__content--main"> <div class="article__top"> <div class="article__origin__wrap"> <a href="/blog/houses-by-design">Houses By Design</a> </div> <h1 id="article__title" class="article__title">Cost-Effective Passive Houses</h1> <h2 class="article__subtitle"> Nova Scotia–based engineer and builder Natalie Leonard designs plans for affordable, super-insulated homes based on solid building science research.</h2> <div class="article__publish"> <span class="article__author">By <a href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/author/kiley-jacques'>Kiley Jacques</a></span> </div>  <ul class="article__social-links">  </ul> </div> <div class="article__body" id="article-body"> <script> if(window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:articlebody:start'); } </script>  <figure class="article__image--main" aria-labelledby="article__title"> <img class="aspect-ratio-350-197" src="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjcwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjozOTR9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8xMVwvMTIxNDQyMjdcL01BSU4tSU1BR0UtNzAweDM5NC5wbmcifQ==" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjcwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjozOTR9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8xMVwvMTIxNDQyMjdcL01BSU4tSU1BR0UtNzAweDM5NC5wbmcifQ== 700w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTlcLzExXC8xMjE0NDIyN1wvTUFJTi1JTUFHRS03MDB4Mzk0LnBuZyJ9 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTlcLzExXC8xMjE0NDIyN1wvTUFJTi1JTUFHRS03MDB4Mzk0LnBuZyJ9 400w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjMwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTlcLzExXC8xMjE0NDIyN1wvTUFJTi1JTUFHRS03MDB4Mzk0LnBuZyJ9 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" width="700" height="394" fetchpriority="high" alt=""> </figure><div class="post__content"><p> </p> <p>Natalie Leonard, president of <strong><a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=G62jSYfZdO-2F12d8lSllQBwTQm68zbVT38sZb60Bqk4rHLYuLMEKfzv5rt89Y4VnL_Croc-2Fnyc4u-2FA8IYkEXgYVGjxAaFJwXhK2HnY0VT7oXAQdXPQptPWA5evFGbIS0QqFCY4Yj-2Bmq1ynumZeH-2FLdzUOByncFlli2q1cKEXnB0WJ4HCLFslF3mjrlRhekhNARLtJOrY8y4ZtnXwya4qGLy5-2FnAjkdiOqhtEAy3W1KSUJnXiPhyD76r-2FyuFAvsIyboYj-2F2uk3iXYgbupxQq-2B20pvUOe7K2L1QK22O9pa50txptXFZUWsyKUvmM2iRWtK9dyA2emlYg3eBufET8ipDmUqmycfIShd-2FmbPI7ZQKc7cNb6yZKtc-2BrrY54w7LJwLcelmknXqds8UQ30GNyQ09y05Zkooj6rFocJ581OrxyDHE-3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Passive Design Solutions</a></strong> and a certified <strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/insulation/what-are-passive-houses">Passive House</a></strong> consultant and builder, is answering the call for affordable green homes. She and her team have recently launched a line of <strong><a href="https://www.passivedesign.ca/pages/plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ready-to-build Passive Home design plans</a>.</strong> Their objective is to make Passive Houses part of an affordable housing market while reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. “If we are going to make a sizable difference in the amount of energy our buildings are using, and if we are going to contribute to the fight against climate change, then we need to make Passive House [standards] mainstream,” says Leonard. “And, in order for Passive House to be mainstream, it needs to be done in a cost-effective way using locally available materials—that the trades are already used to—assembled in different ways to achieve those high-performance levels.”</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144304/1.png"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411752 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144304/1-700x394.png" alt="" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144304/1-700x394.png 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144304/1.png 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144304/1-460x260.png 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>With funding from the National Research Council, Nova Scotia–based Passive Design Solutions conducted <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2019/11/26/building-science-fundamentals">building science</a> studies that looked at various ways to approach assemblies for optimal energy performance and cost-effectiveness in heating-dominated climates. Their assemblies have been tested in eight different climate zones in northeastern U.S. and across Canada—and the resulting building plans are viable in those climates.</p> <p>Asked to describe the assemblies, Leonard starts with the roofs, for which they use pre-manufactured wood trusses and blown-in cellulose insulation. The amount of insulation is the variable, and it is climate zone–dependent. “You don’t need to redraw the plans to allow for thicker assemblies,” she says. “You just change the spec for the amount of insulation.” Foundations are also fairly straightforward in that it’s easy to vary the thickness of the insulation beneath the slab without having to make many changes to the drawing set.</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144518/ILLUSTRATION.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411753" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144518/ILLUSTRATION-e1573587942253.jpg" alt="illustration of the double stud passive house wall construction" width="700" height="834" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144518/ILLUSTRATION-e1573587942253.jpg 1002w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144518/ILLUSTRATION-e1573587942253-700x834.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>Not surprisingly, the walls are more difficult, as they interface with windows, doors, vents, deck ledgers, and myriad other components. “The walls are the Holy Grail in a Passive House,” Leonard muses. For her team’s assembly, they increase the R-values by upgrading the materials, not changing the dimensions. For example, instead of using a standard fiberglass batt, they spec a high-density batt, thereby increasing the R-value of the wall without changing its thickness. “That’s important from a stock plan perspective,” she says, “because redrawing everything to thicken walls for various climates is not a replicable set of plans that can be sold as a ready-made system.”</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144637/2-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411755 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144637/2-2-700x394.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144637/2-2-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144637/2-2.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144637/2-2-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>Of course, the location of the <strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2019/03/11/water-resistive-barriers">vapor control layer</a> </strong>is critical, and it constituted much of the team’s research. Their assemblies have vapor-open walls; and they use a form of a double-stud wall because it is the most cost-effective. They insulate and air seal to the interior and put sheathing on the exterior, which makes it easy to use any kind of siding. This last point was an important finding. Determining assemblies that would take all siding types was a challenge, as corners, windows, and siding attachments can be tricky with a thick layer of foam insulation on the exterior. Consequently, their assembly has a nailing base on the outside. “That was a lesson learned in terms of simplifying the construction,” Leonard notes. “Because we come from a construction background, and we started as a design-build firm, all of our plans keep an eye on constructibility—that’s where you can control costs by making things simple.”</p> <p>In fact, all of their roughly 20 stock plans were designed with builders front of mind. “Alternative methods and materials are expensive, time-consuming, and risky for the builder who is unfamiliar with those things and who doesn’t have local support for using them,” Leonard explains. “We’ve worked hard to get to the point that any good builder who has an interest in new types of assemblies can build from these drawings.”</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144734/3-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411757 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144734/3-1-700x394.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144734/3-1-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144734/3-1.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144734/3-1-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>According to Leonard, designing with efficiencies built into the plans makes the expense of constructing a Passive House equal to or less than a code-built house. “Passive House is not just about adding layers of insulation to make a house airtight,” she says. “About 50% of the energy-efficiency improvements comes from good design. And with good design, you are creating cost efficiencies too.”</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144822/4-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411758" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144822/4-1.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144822/4-1.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144822/4-1-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144822/4-1-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>By way of proof, Leonard shares an anecdotal story: One of the carpenters who has worked on her projects built a house for himself using a Passive Design Solutions stock plan. His mother-in-law couldn’t be convinced to follow suit. Instead, she got free plans for a 1500-sq.-ft. bungalow from her local building-supply dealer. The roof trusses alone cost $20,000; and the construction of the roof, sheathing, and shingling were all more expensive than that of the stock-plan house. The carpenter reported that he could have got her the stock plan and all the upgrades to Passive House for less than the cost of her roof. Parenthetically, Leonard adds: “In Nova Scotia, we have a $10,000 rebate incentive for energy-efficient homes, so we can build a Passive House for the same cost as a code-built house. Our typical upgrade cost is between 5% and 10% from code.”</p> <p><strong><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144905/5-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411759 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144905/5-1-700x394.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144905/5-1-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144905/5-1.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12144905/5-1-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></strong>Passive Design Solutions has completed over <strong><a href="https://www.passivedesign.ca/pages/projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">100 Passive House projects</a></strong> that are Net-Zero Ready; and they provided support to over 30 builders on their first Passive House projects. Leonard summarizes their research findings and resulting designs this way: “If you can afford to build a new house, you can afford to build a Passive House. You don’t have to incur the custom design fees when using a stock plan that’s designed to be simple to build and easy to execute. That brings affordable green homes more into the mainstream. It makes them available to people who want to make a conscious choice for the environment but who don’t have a lot of extra money to spend on expensive products and construction methods.”</p> <p><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145001/6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411760 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145001/6-700x394.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145001/6-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145001/6.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145001/6-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></p> <p>As the design editor, I am compelled to remark that in addition to their performance and affordability attributes, the houses are also really good looking. They are modest in size, rich in architectural interest, and regionally appropriate—a winning combination.</p> <p><strong> <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145056/7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-411761 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145056/7-700x394.jpg" alt="passive house" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145056/7-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145056/7.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/11/12145056/7-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a></strong></p> <p><em>Photos courtesy of Passive Design Solutions.</em></p> <p><em>If you have a project that might be of interest to our readers, please send a short description and images to </em><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#432829222032362630033722362d372c2d6d202c2e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="472c2d26243632223407332632293328296924282a">[email protected]</span></a><em>.</em></p> <hr /> <p><strong>For more Passive Houses:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2019/04/05/best-energy-smart-home-2019-diy-passive-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DIY Passive House</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2013/11/06/the-passive-house-build-part-1-designed-for-success" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Passive House Build: Part I</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2014/01/13/the-passive-house-build-part-2-airtight-mudsills" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Passive House Build: Part II</a></strong></li> </ul> <section class="tcc-recommended" arial-labelledby="tcc-recommended-products"> <p class="tcc-recommended__title" id="tcc-recommended-products">Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products</p> <p class="tcc-recommended__disclaimer">Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.</p> <div class="tcc-recommended__content"> <section class="tcc-recommended-product" data-product_id="533022" aria-labelledby="tcc-a-field-guide-to-american-houses"> <div class="tcc-recommended-product__content"> <div class="tcc-recommended-product__image"> <img src="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjE1MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxNTB9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8wN1wvMTgxMzAzNDNcLzAxMi1GSEItZUNvbW0tUHJvZHVjdC03LmpwZyJ9" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjE1MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxNTB9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8wN1wvMTgxMzAzNDNcLzAxMi1GSEItZUNvbW0tUHJvZHVjdC03LmpwZyJ9 150w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjEwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxMDB9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8wN1wvMTgxMzAzNDNcLzAxMi1GSEItZUNvbW0tUHJvZHVjdC03LmpwZyJ9 100w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" alt="" width="250" height="250" /> </div> <div class="tcc-recommended-product__info"> <p class="tcc-recommended-product__title" id="tcc-a-field-guide-to-american-houses">A Field Guide to American Houses</p> <div class="tcc-recommended-product__desc">If you want to plan, design, or remodel based on the vast tradition of American architectural styles you first have to understand their history, geography, architectural significance, and relationship to one another. 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} </script>  <div class="comments"> <div class="comments__wrapper"> <h2 class="comments__heading">View Comments</h2> <ol class="comments__list"> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1269802"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b2a43175052a6431239d94c598deb5e1?s=36&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fs.png&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b2a43175052a6431239d94c598deb5e1?s=72&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fs.png&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-36 photo' height='36' width='36' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/suburbanguy" rel='nofollow'>suburbanguy</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Nov 18, 2019 01:33pm</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1269802">#1</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Why do passive homes always have so little curb appeal?</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1269835"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/151438-avatar-1574321924.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/SarahCullen" rel='nofollow'>SarahCullen</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Nov 21, 2019 04:43am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1269835">#2</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Very nice, good job!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1269857"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/151485-avatar-1574398629.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/GeorgeMendoza" rel='nofollow'>GeorgeMendoza</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Nov 22, 2019 01:21am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1269857">#3</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Wow! I want to buy that type of home! Such an amazing job!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270105"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/152373-avatar-1576150048.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/DianeScheiber" rel='nofollow'>DianeScheiber</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Dec 13, 2019 12:39am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270105">#4</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>My dream home! nice one</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270352"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/153281-avatar-1578039712.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/MichealCoronado" rel='nofollow'>MichealCoronado</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jan 03, 2020 03:26am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270352">#5</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>so beautiful homes, I really like it</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270661"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/154155-avatar-1579598515.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/TimVaughn" rel='nofollow'>TimVaughn</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jan 21, 2020 05:37am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270661">#6</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>I love this post! great information.</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270736"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/95820-avatar-1545905686.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/fredalong" rel='nofollow'>fredalong</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jan 23, 2020 06:26am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270736">#7</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>It's really excellent work!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270764"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/139736-avatar-1551087756.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/ThelmaBuckner" rel='nofollow'>ThelmaBuckner</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jan 24, 2020 02:35am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270764">#8</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Great job! Well constructed and I really want to buy this home.</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270766"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/95770-avatar-1545804527.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/leoramos10" rel='nofollow'>leoramos10</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jan 24, 2020 02:37am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270766">#9</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Great! well done!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270962"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/95820-avatar-1545905686.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/fredalong" rel='nofollow'>fredalong</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Feb 05, 2020 04:53am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270962">#10</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>nice</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1270965"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/154849-avatar-1580898255.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/GabrielKeele" rel='nofollow'>GabrielKeele</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Feb 05, 2020 05:29am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1270965">#11</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>I really interesting your construction work.</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1271855"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/157505-avatar-1585812918.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/TroutChisholm" rel='nofollow'>TroutChisholm</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Apr 02, 2020 04:53am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1271855">#12</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>It's Really Informative!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1272533"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img class="avatar" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/assets/avatars/159530-avatar-1588745810.png" alt="User avater"> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/RobertDaves" rel='nofollow'>RobertDaves</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">May 06, 2020 05:43am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1272533">#13</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>I like this post!</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1290456"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c15c7c635ba32da46ba5c756ad1903b5?s=36&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fr.png&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c15c7c635ba32da46ba5c756ad1903b5?s=72&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fr.png&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-36 photo' height='36' width='36' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/rgreener" rel='nofollow'>rgreener</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Feb 07, 2024 09:02am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1290456">#14</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Nice article but could be more useful if the article had more information on the wall assembly Ms. Leonard used - especially since the research was paid by the National Research Council. Big illustration is nice but “2x6 structural studs with insulation” is not much help when discussing a wall assembly for a passive house and this is a key part of the “secret sauce”. Did she use use foam (EPS, XPS, GPS), dense packed cellulose or something else? and if dense packed cellulose on the structural and service walls and “rigid insulation” or foam on the inner, why not use foam entirely? And since this is in “Fine Homebuilding” hopefully the editors will monitor this article and update best practices as the building science is changing and improving every year. Thanks for helping to educate on these important topics…</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> </ol> </div> <div class="comments__cta" id="respond"> <h2>Log in or create an account to post a comment.</h2> <a class="comments__cta__signup" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2Fproject-guides%2Fenergy-retrofit%2Fcost-effective-passive-houses" rel="nofollow">Sign up</a> <a class="comments__cta__login" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2Fproject-guides%2Fenergy-retrofit%2Fcost-effective-passive-houses" rel="nofollow" >Log in</a> <h3><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2Fproject-guides%2Fenergy-retrofit%2Fcost-effective-passive-houses&ref=fhb-comments-login" data-freetrial="Comments Login">Become a member</a> and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com</h3> </div> </div> <script> 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