Beyond Energy: Using Passive House Standards To Boost Resilience Of California’s Built Environment

The State of California has ambitious goals to decarbonize its economy in the near future. However, when it comes to building efficiency, even the latest version of Title 24 focuses on mechanical systems and renewable energy sources rather than prioritizing the quality of the buildings themselves.

This presentation illustrates the advantages of adopting Passive House standards for building and renovating structures in a resilient and energy-efficient manner, even in California’s mild climate conditions.

Case studies are used to demonstrate the balancing act involved in decisions such as determining insulation levels, selecting coatings for glass to balance daylight transmission and solar heat control, and addressing other aspects critical to creating healthy, comfortable, and durable buildings.”

Learning Objectives:

• Compare Passive House standards with Title 24 and understand the key differences between these standards.
• Identify strategies and project aspects that enhance the resilience of buildings.
• Review case studies specific to California, and evaluate strategies based on project goals and constraints.
• Evaluate the use of the Passive House performance-based approach to support projects that may not necessarily pursue green building certification.