ABSTRACT
Passive House buildings have been constructed using such insulation materials as cellulose, blown-in fiberglass, mineral wool, expanded polystyrene (EPS), cork, and even sheep wool, among others. From an environmental perspective, the choice of insulation materials will contribute greatly to the overall embodied energy of the building. The annual energy use of a conventionally built house quickly results in its total embodied and operating energy outpacing that of almost all PH assemblies. If reducing the embodied energy or carbon of a PH is a goal, then avoiding the use of spray foam insulation made with a hydrofluoro-carbon (HFC) blowing agent is advised, as is minimizing the use of such energy-intensive materials as concrete and even oriented-strand board (OSB). The PHI, which was founded in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1996 to conduct research and promote the design and construction of highly energy-efficient buildings, instituted a certification program for PH components, including windows, doors and solid-wall components.
