What Is Passive House? Passive House is a building standard that emphasizes better wall construction, a tight building envelope, and great HVAC systems. Homes built to this standard are, quite simply, better homes. They are quieter, promote the health of their occupants, and cost less to heat and cool. They are built to the highest […]
Allergy Free Homes in Tennessee: 3 Things Your House Must Get Right
If you’re searching for an allergy free home, you’ve probably already tried everything: HEPA purifiers in every room, allergen-proof mattress covers, a humidifier in winter and a dehumidifier in summer. You take your medication as prescribed and follow your allergist’s advice. And yet you still wake up congested. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: no amount of […]
How Barndominiums Become Healthy Homes
7 Requirements to Turn a Barndominium into a Healthy Home Barndominiums have earned a reputation for being inexpensive to build and beautiful to live in. When they’re built as pole barns, the inexpensive part is true. But when finished and detailed as an actual home, especially a high-performance one, barndominium becomes an architectural style, like […]
Passive House in Tennessee’s two Climate Zones
Tennessee spans two climate zones. Your building science needs to account for both. Tennessee is a multizone state. According to Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) climate data, most of the state falls in Climate Zone 3A (hot-humid) but a meaningful portion, particularly in the east, remains in Climate Zone 4A, which is mixed-humid. That’s not […]
Healthy Home vs. Wellness Home: Why Building Science Matters
Healthy Home vs. Wellness Home: Why Building Science Matters In today’s housing market, “wellness” has become a popular buzzword. You’ll see homes marketed with yoga studios, meditation rooms, spa bathrooms, and indoor gardens—all designed to support a better lifestyle. While those features can enhance your daily experience, they often miss a critical point: A home […]
Beyond Code: 5 Smart Ways Builders Are Boosting Energy Efficiency
Buyers expect more than the basics. Here’s how builders are boosting energy efficiency where it counts. By Joel Hoekstra July 31, 2025 Energy efficiency has become a baseline demand among homebuyers. Owners want spaces that aren’t only eye-catching but also lower energy bills and offer resilience amid power outages and extreme weather. For residential builders, this […]
What Is Passive House?
What Is Passive House? Passive House is a building standard that emphasizes better wall construction, a tight building envelope, and great HVAC systems. Homes built to this standard are, quite simply, better homes. They are quieter, promote the health of their occupants, and cost less to heat and cool. They are built to the highest […]
Are Passive Houses More Expensive To Build?
PH homes are 5-10% more expensive to build than a conventional code home, for a number of reasons related to increased material and labor costs. First, PH walls are typically thicker than a standard wall in a U.S. home, requiring more lumber and, hence, more insulation. Second, PH homes use a higher quality window and […]
Do Passive Houses Have Windows That Open?
Yes, they can. A Passive House by definition doesn’t really require windows that open, as there is a fresh air system in the home that is constantly bringing fresh filtered air in, often at a rate of three volume changes of the house per hour. This allows the fresh air that does come into the […]
What Do Window Ratings Mean?
Window ratings are important. Choose the right window for your home. In Nashville, TN, your baseline will be a window with low U-factor (0.27-ish) and a low to moderate SHGC (0.35-ish), depending on your house design. Got lots of shade? Go for a larger SHGC. Windows come in a vast variety of price and […]
How Much Roof Overhang Do I Need to Keep Out the Sun?
You can use roof overhang to govern how much sun gets into your home throughout the year. This will greatly affect how much you have to spend on heating and cooling. In the absence of scale drawings, use a little trig to calculate how big your overhangs should be. One of the keys to […]