Successfully marketing Passive House performance

We hear that stories on homes built to Passive House standard are very popular with Stuff readers. Here’s another well-written story about this family home in west Auckland, just completed...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Oct 2023

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Passive House design training relaunches, on-demand format

New Zealand needs more Passive Houses—and other buildings heading in that high-performance direction. That requires more confident and skilled Passive House designers. Sustainable Engineering last year launched a new training...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Sep 2023

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Detailed LCA resource available

The Buildings and Communities Programme (EBC*) has just published a huge resource of LCA work focused on buildings in Europe.  The focus of the research are heavyweight buildings powered by...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Sep 2023

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MVHR inlet/extract positions

There’s some new advice available about locating the air inlets and exhausts in MVHR systems. If you’re a Passive House designer or otherwise involved in high-performance building, it’s important to...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Sep 2023

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TFA or CFA? The difference matters

Anyone who notices there are fewer biscuits in a packet that is outwardly the same size has encountered shrinkflation. Same price, but nine chocolate biccies instead of 11 means 18%...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Sep 2023

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Understand thermal implications of underfloor heating

Embedded under-floor heating is a luxurious way of keeping a house warm. You may encounter clients who hate heat pumps and who aren’t deterred by the cost of under-floor heating....

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Growth in multi-family Passive House buildings in North America

The PHI-aligned Passive House Network has released a detailed and inspiring guide to the costs and benefits of multi-family Passive House buildings. It draws on data from New York and...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2023

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A logical staircase to build PH design skills

Seaward House, a newly certified Passive House on Auckland’s waterfront, is a fantastic example of how architects can build their skills in high-performance design in effective, methodical ways. The architect...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2023

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Thermal bridge calc error rate is way too high

I estimate nearly half the thermal bridge calculations we see during pre-construction review are wrong. Newly minted Passive House designers and consultants are not wholly responsible. The Sustainable Engineering Ltd...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Q&A: Is spray foam insulation a good idea?

Q. What’s your opinion about spray foam insulation for New Zealand homes? A. Spray foam can be used with good results if properly designed and installed well—but a successful outcome...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jul 2023

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MBIE releases technical guidance on operational carbon

I welcome the release of technical guidance for operational carbon calculations by MBIE, as part of its Building for Climate Change programme. There is lots of work ahead of us...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2024

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Kids suffer when schools are poorly designed

Some solid work has been done in Aotearoa New Zealand by very capable architects and Passive House designers to design classrooms to Passive House performance levels. The fact none have...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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New thermal bridge requirements in US will influence NZ

There are new thermal bridging requirements being rolled out in the US, of which ASHRAE has just summarised. ASHRAE standard 90.1 is for all new buildings excepting low rise housing...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jun 2023

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Retrofitting wall insulation is not risk-free

This article from the BBC discusses claims cavity wall insulation installed as part of a government retrofit scheme has led to homes filled with black mould. The installer has gone...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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All homes need mechanical ventilation

I was happy to see this lovely article on a very high-performance home down in Greymouth but I take issue with the last sentence, which implies that mechanical ventilation is...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jun 2023

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Better building design improves sleep

Sleep is super important for good health and a good life. We know this but generally overlook how building design choices impact sleep quality.  An ASHRAE Journal article just published...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jun 2023

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Filtering out fine particulates increases life expectancy

Indoor air filtration capable of reducing PM2.5 particles increases life expectancy and experts argue should change standards to require better filtration. In general, the filters in ventilation equipment are primarily...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Jun 2023

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Scotland sets example for new building performance

Commit to the outcome then work out how to get there, argues Andy Marlow, a leading Australian Passive House designer and former APHA board member. In a recent essay on...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: May 2023

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