Tiny Passive House Tour

[@denspri5844]

Very impressive. This passive house ticks almost all the boxes for us. To make it our perfect fit we need two bedroom, two bathroom, a mud room and larger kitchen but you are now the leading contender for our new house.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Glad you enjoyed! FYI - we can implement all aspects of your vision to any of our designs, besides that stay tuned for more ✌️

[@garnetjanuary9104]

Thanks for sharing the walk-throughs!

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Thanks! Stay tuned for more!

[@garnetjanuary9104]

@@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes can’t wait! Ultimately can’t wait until my own building project starts with @ekobuiltPassiveHomes!

[@rumigirl]

Nice design and a great presentation!

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@rumigirl thank you and stay tuned for more ✌️

[@kevinvey9474]

Really enjoyed this walk thru, just in time for lunch. I'm really blown away by those windows. I'll be countine on your website!!

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Thanks! When on our website you will appreciate our blog, many informative articles on there! Please stay tuned for more!

[@JShrimpma]

Great design. However do you have a design where the kitchen has a proper vent that exhausts into the outside or through the heat exchangers?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@JShrimpma thanks! Just its proper to vent the kitchen through a dedicated exhaust passing through ERV. Trouble with an direct vent is its like an ‘open window’ which is not recommended because it would create a very uncomfortable kitchen and a leak lots of energy

[@Freynightwalker]

Hello, I have watched several of you videos, they are informative. I was wondering about the product on the outside of your houses. I prefer low/ no maitencae exteriors, but some of these look like wood siding and that would require repeated staining? Also where does the cellulose come from? Finally are there any Canadian manufacturers for passive house quality windows? Thank you.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@Freynightwalker Re: Siding, engineered (osb) wood is recommended b/c of high recycled/renewable content & maintenance free (40 yr warranty) Check out informative blog here, ekobuilt.com/blog/exterior-siding-choices-for-your-passive-home/

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@Freynightwalker Re: Cellulose, recommended a borate infused product, there are many manufacturers, See here ekobuilt.com/blog/insulation-in-a-passive-home/

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@Freynightwalker Re Windows: There are a number of Canadian products but European components are predominant resulting in a more expensive product than windows purchased direct from European companies. Our customers are always amazed at our affordable window supply costs, having a strategic supply chain in place resulting in affordable Passivehouse ✌️

[@denspri5844]

Quick question. The water vapor from cooking, bathroom and merely breathing has to go somewhere. How does the house deal with all that water vapor, to avoid condensation issues?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Thanks for the question! In general, the ERV fresh air system is also responsible for humidity management A conventional Home deals with moisture via exhaust fans used in washrooms, kitchens, and the clothes dryer. The result is often a drafty house with an uncomfortably dry interior. in a passivehouse, the fresh air system uses exhaust vents in kitchens, washrooms and utility spaces, and is able to remove any excess moisture to the outside or keep inside the home if average humidity is low Regardless of the outside environment, Passive ERV systems keep the house between 40 to 60% relative humidity at all times for a optimally, healthy and comfortable interior

[@denspri5844]

@@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes I was hoping you would say that! Thanks so much for answering my question so quickly.

[@qualitybydesign5119]

If a finished basement is required how is the heating/cooling done for that area ?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@qualitybydesign5119 for optimal comfort and affordability we recommend one single mini split head per floor

[@Jmaninaz1]

I am looking to move to NW Montana, and more specifically, either the Eureka, Rexford, or, if I go about 50 miles West, Troy or Libby areas--basically right on the border with B.C. Am wondering if any of the GC's there have experience constructing your homes and thought you may know if you have sent some of your homes there. Also, what about financing the purchase--I know here in the USA, you get outside of stick-built/traditional homes, hard to get decent financing. Any ideas in that regard? Really love what you are guys are doing, and it's just me and my two dogs, so going small will work! One final question (sorry)--do you have plans for a garage or is that built separately by a local builder? Thank you--Joel in Arizona (for now)

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@Jmaninaz1 Hi Joel, nice to hear of your plans to build a small passive house, It would be amazing to customize a design for you on your property! Please send us an email letting us know what design you are interested in and we can discuss steps to making a project happen. FYI - We can take your design ideas in case you have your own floorplan and our system is a (structural) wood frame based system so no problem with permits or financing Please send email to [e-mail]

[@Jmaninaz1]

@@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes Cool! I will be in touch--I look forward to hopefully working with you. Thank you for the prompt reply--that is a great sign that you provide excellent customer service (I am self-employed, and clients love it when you respond promptly!).

[@Doubz28]

Great video, would this qualify under the PassivHaus certification?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Yes absolutely! It is possible for any Floorplan to meet the Passivehouse standard

[@DigitalN]

How do those all in one ERV units handle low outdoor air quality? Would you recommend something different if we were building a home and wanted to keep the air inside as fresh as possible during these wildfire seasons we seem to keep having in AB?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Thanks for contributing to the conversation! Most Passive HRV or ERV systems offer up to 14 microns of filtration. This type of filtration system will be able to keep particles that are smaller than 0.3 microns out of your home. For comparison, a Canadian government guideline states that coarse particulate matter from wildfires ranges from 2.5-10 microns in diameter, while the fine particulate from fires generally has a diameter of 2.5 microns. The filtration capabilities of a Passive HRV or ERV will filter out even the finest particulate matter associated with smoke dust ✌️

[@qualitybydesign5119]

How many ductless air exchangers are in this house and in which rooms ?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Per code there needs to be ventilation in every room, in this model there are 4 units - one in both bedrooms, one in the washroom, and one in the kitchen/dining/living area. an individual unit can accommodate up to 600 ft.² but each room should have at least one

[@qualitybydesign5119]

How do you achieve R 110 in your “Thick Ass“ roof assembly ?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@qualitybydesign5119 R110 is achieved by dense-pack Cellulose in a 30” deep truss cavity.

[@qualitybydesign5119]

I’m currently finishing up a new build for a customer in Port Robinson, On. Exterior walls are 6 1/2” SIP panels R37 and blown in attic R60. Just researching Passive house building standards and assemblies. Your videos are quite informative.

[@qualitybydesign5119]

Is the Blauberg ductless hrv your go to product ?

[@animeisballing1]

I’ve always been interested in building a passive home, but the cost seems out of reach for many. I was recently quoted $350 per square foot by the only passive home builder in the Chattanooga area. For most people, that’s simply too expensive. Given that I have a family of five, we would need at least 2,000 square feet, though I wouldn’t mind a smaller home if it were just me or my partner. I hope prices for these energy-efficient homes become more accessible for the average homebuyer, as currently, only a select few can afford such a build.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

@@animeisballing1 Have you looked into small builder options? We have many customers in the United States who have been able to build for a budget (with this approach) no problem. The problem is many builders charge cost premiums for project management and building a more specialized house, however, we can help solve that problem by providing our prefab system which includes a supervisor to your property so no specialized workers required. If you can’t build for a budget with this approach, then local contractors are simply price gouging. I would recommend reading a couple of our blog articles on this topic ekobuilt.com/blog/finding-a-builder-for-your-ekobuilt-passive-house/ ekobuilt.com/blog/finding-a-builder-for-your-ekobuilt-passive-house-part-2/

[@julierahn6932]

Do you offer off-grid options - toilet, water, electrical?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Absolutely Off-grid is no problem, please send your inquiry to [e-mail]

[@ELIRAXPRT]

What about attic insulation? How are you doing it and what R value?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

The Roof is R110, but can vary R75 - R120 depending on where the house is located. Dense pack Cellulose Allows any roof space to be affordably insulated at these levels

[@s.st.9371]

Do you recommend ventless dryers? I came across another company where one can use a vented dryer and still obtain under the .6 passive requirement on the blower door test. That surprised me. Please explain or clarify, if you would, please. Thank you.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Yes, a ventless dryer (heat pump clothes dryer] is a prerequisite for a passive house. I’m guessing they must have plugged the vent during the air test, if not, please send us the video and we can check it out

[@Shanegt500]

Do you do any business in NY USA?

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Yes, absolutely 👍 we have sent packages as far south as Georgia, and have done designs for a number of customers in New York State, please email your inquiry to [e-mail] or directly through our website here ekobuilt.com/contact-us/

[@dlg5485]

This kind of 'right sized' well built housing is the way we should be building ALL homes going forward. Home construction in the USA is pathetic, nowhere near the standards in other western countries and even upcoming building codes are still pathetic. US homes also tend to be way too large for no good reason...tons of unused, wasted spaces such as formal dining rooms, offices, etc. I will be building a home in the next few years and I will pursue PH standard. However, I need 3 proper bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and I want a basement entertainment space/storm shelter. I suspect all of that can still fit in under 1800sqft total, which is far smaller than a typical 3 bed house in America.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Love it! You’re totally right! With increased cost of building and affordable living, it’s easy to not become house poor By simply building only amount of space that we need! Comfortable 2 bedroom can be done in 700 ft.² so three bedroom could be done easily 850 ft.² or a reduced footprint with a bedroom in a basement easily done as well Cheers!

[@eattherich9215]

You had 750 sq ft to play with, but produced such a poor layout? Put the kitchen and washer/drying facility across the back of the home, and then have the bedrooms along one side with a Jack and Jill bathroom/visitor's wash room. The front could then be a much larger living room.

[@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes]

Thanks for contributing to the conversation but you don’t have to be rude, there’s no place for rudeness in sustainable society All homes, whether small or large, have the same basic components - entry space, living/dining area, kitchen, washroom, bedrooms, utility spaces We have supplied hundreds of packages with no two designs alike, everything modified to a customers, requirements and vision Please send us a sketch of your idea if you want to provide value to the conversation, it would be great to see!

[@eattherich9215]

@@EkoBuiltPassiveHomes: apologies for my approach, but I still think that a re-ordering of the space would make for more functionality, especially where living is concerned. I guess I am NOT your customer.