The houses and buildings we live and work in are really places to keep us healthy at a reasonable cost. Many homes in the warm, humid climate of East Texas are filled with mold, resulting in the inhabitants breathing spores. The dust from Lubbock blows into vented attic soffit vents and is circulated throughout the house. Cedar tree pollen in the spring is a problem for many people. Wildfires a hundred miles away can fill a house with smoke.

During the COVID pandemic, we were all stuck in the house for months and wished the house smelled better. The week that the power went out many families spent the night in their SUV in the driveway to keep warm. The electric bills locally have doubled and made the budget for many families very challenging.

But we can have a really nice house and solve all the safety, comfort and cost issues with a “passive house.” It keeps warm things warm and cool things cool, and the bugs and dirt out of our food. When the power goes out, a passive house can hold the temperature to a safe level for more than six days.

The house is oriented with the big shaded windows facing south and shade trees to the east and west. This allows it to passively use the natural resources of the Earth and the Sun to warm and cool the house. Consequently, it does not depend entirely on heating and air conditioning mechanical equipment to keep the house comfortable and safe, and the electric bills are very low. 

By adding a few solar panels, it will easily achieve Net Zero (no electric bill). Because this home is air-tight, we don’t have a problem with smoke, pollen and dust and it allows us to bring in fresh, filtered air to breathe. This is the concept that hospitals use.

Passive Home Certified Buildings (PHIS)

Phius buildings are about much more than energy efficiency; they provide an air quality superior indoor environment for their inhabitants.

Comfortable: Superinsulation, airtightness and thermal bridge-free design create a comfortable environment.

Affordable: Phius buildings require minimal to no additional upfront costs, while guaranteeing 40 to 60 percent in energy savings.

Resilient: Phius projects have been proven to be more resilient in the event of natural disasters and extreme heat and cold.

Healthy: Phius requires all materials used inside to be low-volatile organic compound (VOC) and non-toxic with constant filtration of fresh air, resulting in a safe and a quiet environment.

Durable: The holistic design of Phius buildings make them uniquely built for the long haul.

Quality Assured: All Phius-Certified passive buildings go through a rigorous third-party quality control review.

Phius Certified homes are the only passive houses proven to provide a quiet, comfortable living environment no matter the climate zone. Whether prioritizing climate change mitigation and adaptation or not, a Phius home is healthier.

Roger Taylor, of Dwell Green of Dallas, is the only passive house rater/verifier in the state. For more information, call 214-509-8582  or email [email protected] & visit website at DwellGreen.com.