A Passive House is a revolutionary way of building that significantly reduces a building's energy consumption, resulting in an impressive reduction of up to 90% compared to conventional builds. Originating in Europe, this highly sustainable construction method is starting to make waves around the world.
At Madrone, we take pride in being a certified Passive House building, adhering to the rigorous standards set by the Passive House Institute. What does that mean for you? Our commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency means that you can enjoy a comfortable and eco-friendly living experience while being less reliant on the city's power grid.
The Advantages of Passive House Living
Passive House construction is all about being smart with energy. Our mechanical systems are top-notch, designed to squeeze every bit of efficiency out of sunlight, ventilation, and heat recovery. This means less energy wasted on heating, cooling and lighting your apartment. Plus, our doors and windows are specifically designed to keep the heat in and drafts out.
We've designed our homes to be cozy, healthy and quiet. With great insulation, tight seals, and the highest quality ventilation systems, you'll enjoy consistent temperature, cleaner air, and minimal noise. It's a win-win for your well-being and quality of life.
Madrone Passive House FAQ
• What is Passive House?
Passive House Certification is an approach to designing buildings that use less energy and are more comfortable and healthier to live and work in. Passive House was developed in Germany and is a common building standard in Europe and its use is now slowly gaining momentum in the US. Similar to LEED or Green Globes, Passive House is a green building standard that specifically focuses on reducing energy consumption. It uses a sophisticated modeling system to understand the impact certain design features have on the energy use of a building.
• How much more energy efficient is Passive House design?
Passive House design is 90% more efficient for heating and cooling, due to the special design and construction techniques. Overall, the building uses approximately half the energy of other comparable new buildings. The reduction in energy consumption is a result of the building design, heating/cooling losses, and the most efficient systems in addition to LED lighting and Energy Star appliances.
• How is the temperature controlled in each home?
Pre-cooled air is delivered to all homes through the ventilation system. On a hot summer day, if your windows are closed, that cool air will keep your home comfortable. Your home may be equipped with a mini-split (a wall mounted appliance installed higher up on a wall that features a thermostat) that will heat and cool your home. If your home does not have a mini-split, you will have electric heat, controlled by a thermostat.
• Is air filtered in each home?
Madrone has a special dedicated and filtered ventilation system that supplies fresh air to all living spaces on a continual basis. The system removes stale air from the kitchen and bathroom areas and supplies fresh air to all living spaces. The filtration system is a two-part system: (1) a media filter removes all particulates, pollen, dust or pollution, and (2) passes through a UV filtration system. This level of filtration will provide far better air quality than other buildings.
• What other special design features does Madrone offer?
Windows: Windows in a Passive House building are different than the typical slider windows of standard construction. No air or water will leak in. Madrone offers Tilt/Turn windows that have multiple gaskets and multipoint hardware to create a tight seal when closed. Additionally, these windows are also more soundproof than standard windows. The windows use higher quality glass and frames to improve thermal qualities. As a result of the airtight building construction and windows, you can keep the city noises and pollutants out of your bedroom, creating a superior air quality experience compared to other buildings in town!
Insulation: Madrone is built with thicker walls compared to standard 2x4 construction, instead utilizes 4x8 construction and blown-in dense pack insulation. This insulation is blown into place, filling all gaps that would typically occur during insulation resulting in 36% thicker walls and reducing noise pollution.
Air Tightness and Ventilation: One of the tenets of Passive House is the air tightness of the building. This is sometimes referred to as the air control layer. It is a continuous air barrier that is designed and built into the building that prevents unwanted air, dust, pollen, etc. from entering or leaving the building through unwanted spaces. With a Passive House, that’s all eliminated. The air tightness is about ten times better than regular construction and is measured by a 3rd party to ensure integrity.
To learn more about Madrone and its unique features, please visit our website at www.madroneseattle.com.
Join the Movement
In places like Germany and Belgium, Passive Houses are everywhere. But the trend is catching on in the United States too, as people become more conscious of their impact on the environment. Living in a Passive House is just another way to do your part in the fight against climate change. Buildings are major culprits when it comes to carbon emissions, so by living in in a Passive House, you're shrinking your carbon footprint and making a real difference.
Our certified building offers the best in energy efficiency, sustainable design, and pure comfort. By choosing to live in a Passive House, you're not just saving the planet, you're investing in a greener, healthier future for yourself and loved ones.
Ready to give Passive House living a try? Reach out to us today and find out more about Madrone Passive House!