What’s the deal with Passive House?

The need for sustainability in construction is not a new concept. And by now, we’ve all heard the term Passive House. But is this trend simply a fancy buzzword or a movement that will ultimately change the way we build?

Passive House (or Passivhaus) is a rigorous standard for energy efficiency in a building, aiming to significantly reduce its ecological footprint while ensuring a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. Passive House is not LEED.  

Is LEED Out?

Passive House (PHIUS or Passive House Institute) focuses primarily on 5 key goals (in order of importance): durable, healthy, resilient, comfortable, and energy efficient. Meeting these goals minimizes the building’s energy demand to heat and cool, creating ultra-low energy buildings.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – by USGBC) is a broader green building certification system. LEED considers a wide range of sustainability factors—not just energy, but also water use, materials, location, air quality, innovation, etc.

They’re not mutually exclusive—a building can pursue both. Passive House addresses deep energy performance, while LEED addresses holistic sustainability. Some developers pursue both to maximize energy savings and meet broader sustainability goals.

Key Certification Criteria:

But what is Passive House?

Originally developed in Germany, Passive House has gained global recognition as a gold standard for sustainable construction. As demand grows for low-carbon, high-performance buildings, it’s becoming a leading standard in construction. Projects earn certification by meeting strict energy targets through advanced design, modeling, and testing:

High Levels of Insulation
Thick insulation in the walls, roof, and floors helps keep the heat in during winter and out during summer—making the building more comfortable and energy-efficient year-round.

Airtight Construction
The building envelope is designed to prevent air leakage, which improves energy efficiency and reduces drafts. Airtightness is typically verified through a blower door test.

No Heat Leaks (Thermal Bridge-Free Design)
Careful attention taken to avoid areas where heat can sneak out—like corners, edges, and around windows—so the building stays warmer and more efficient, enhancing energy performance.

High-Performance Windows and Doors
Triple-pane windows and super-insulated doors help hold in heat, let in plenty of natural light, and keep outside noise down.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
A high-efficiency ventilation system brings in fresh air while capturing heat from the outgoing air—so the indoor air stays healthy without wasting energy.

Smart Solar Design
Buildings are designed to soak up the sun’s warmth in winter and stay cool in summer, using smart features like overhangs and landscaping for shade.

Passive House buildings offer a range of long-term benefits that go beyond just energy savings—here’s what makes them such a smart choice:

• Energy Efficiency: Passive Houses consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

• Comfort: Consistent indoor temperatures and high air quality.
• Sustainability: Lower carbon footprint and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
• Cost Savings: Significant reductions in energy bills over the building’s lifetime.

What’s TOCCI doing?

We’re proud to share that five more members of the TOCCI team have recently earned their Passive House Certification—but we’re just getting started. As part of our commitment to advancing high-performance, energy-efficient construction, we’ve launched a comprehensive training plan to certify the majority of our team throughout 2025. Together, we’re building a smarter, more sustainable future—one project (and one certification) at a time.