Why I Chose Passive Homes: The Real Story

Why Choose A Passive Home?

In the pursuit of a healthier living environment for my family, I embarked on a journey that led me to a profound realisation.

It's a story of questioning the status quo, of searching for innovation where it was lacking, and ultimately breaking the mould of standard home build to choose the path of Passive Homes.

As a second-generation builder with decades of experience in the industry, my journey began with a simple question: what are we missing in our quest for a healthier life and more broadly, as an industry?

We started by building an air-tight home for myself and my young family. It was this project and living in a more comfortable environment than ever before that sent me on a quest to learn more.

How could I build a healthier family home?

In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, we focus on the basics: nutritious food, clean water, and regular exercise. But one essential element often gets overlooked – our homes.

“Our living spaces, especially in New Zealand, are lagging far behind the time and effort we invest in other areas of our lives. Yet, it's where we spend the majority of our days, making it a crucial aspect of our well-being.”

Passive Homes prioritise indoor air quality. They employ advanced ventilation systems that ensure consistent fresh air intake while effectively filtering out pollutants. Airtight construction minimises the ingress of allergens and maintains ideal humidity levels. A landmark study by the World Health Organisation identified that indoor air pollution can lead to a range of health problems, and Passive Homes aim to mitigate these risks. In New Zealand and specifically Wanaka, with huge temperature swings, for us it was just as much about having a warm home year-round.

Progress In The Building Industry

Having been in and around the construction industry for decades, I couldn't help but feel that we hadn't come very far in the last 50-60 years despite some advancements like slightly improved insulation and minor enhancements. I began to wonder: how could we bridge this gap between the way we live and the homes we inhabit?

Passive Homes: A Light Switched On

Then, I discovered Passive Homes. It was like a light had been turned on. This was where innovation had been quietly hiding, in a movement that, surprisingly, few Kiwis were aware of. Passive Homes offered a holistic approach to designing and constructing homes that aligned perfectly with the vision of a healthier living environment we had been working on. I had known about Passive homes but never really paid them enough attention. A trap I feel a lot of builders and kiwis more broadly fall in to.

The Challenge and the Accredited Testing:

“For me, building Passive Homes wasn't just about creating incredible living spaces but also about rigorously testing our skills. As builders, beyond the routine council inspections, our skills are not always pushed to their limits. But Passive Home Certification and tests like the Blower Door Test provide a real and accredited assessment of our workmanship.”

It can be intimidating, and it's far from easy, but it's the very challenge that keeps us on our toes. The feeling of knowing our hard work has paid off in more ways than just aesthetically pleasing homes is immensely rewarding. It's a testament to our commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovation.

Bringing Passive Homes to the Mainstream:

Our goal is to make the Passive Home movement more mainstream and accessible to more Kiwis.

We aim to elevate the standard of housing in Wanaka for future generations. They deserve to grow up in healthier homes, free from issues like mould and dampness. They deserve spaces filled with fresh air and warmth. Is Passive Home Living the final piece of the holistic health puzzle? We reckon.

“My journey towards building Passive Homes was born out of a quest for healthier living environments, a desire for innovation in an industry that was ready for change, and a commitment to bring better living standards to my community in Wanaka.”

It's about creating homes where well-being is at the forefront, where our skills are continually honed, and where the reward goes far beyond just good looks.

Passive Homes offer an exciting path to building a healthier and more sustainable future, one that I'm proud to be a part of.

Now… we just need to spread the message and help to make it happen!

References:

Reference: World Health Organization. (2018). Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health