Why I’m building a zero-energy Passive House

This week’s Passive House sweep

• Phius guidebook v26.1.2 adds METr modeling guidance
• Phius REVIVE retrofit pilot closes to new projects
• Phius METr single-family training Nov 9 to 10
• DC Sustainable Energy Utility opens its income-qualified efficiency fund
• RMI study finds heat pumps could ease power rates

This week’s Passive House sweep

• New York all-electric start date still uncertain
• DC Council passes net zero bridge measure
• EmPOWER Maryland 2027 programs go before regulators
• BGE heat pump water heater coupon ends Oct 31
• Phius publishes whole-life carbon paper

This week’s Passive House sweep

• Virginia home energy rebates still waiting on DOE
• Phius 3.0 points toward resilience
• PhiusCon shows panelized costs falling in Boston
• Efficient New Homes 2027 revisions widen the Phius path
• All-electric rule dates now unsettled
• Maryland home rebates still pending DOE
• Lemon Street rowhouse retrofit earns Phius ZERO

This week’s Passive House sweep

• The Faircliff wins Phius Best Overall
• New Hope takes the single-family prize
• Other Phius winners
• Hillside North NYSERDA award
• Maryland IRA rebates still pending
• DC heat pump rebates open

This week’s Passive House sweep

• Maryland IRA resubmit status
• Resilient Phius ADU
• Columbia Efficient New Homes training
• EmPOWER electrification rebates
• PhiusCon and heat-pump sessions ahead

This week’s Passive House sweep

• NY heat-pump incentives
• Wythe Schüco windows
• Heat pump lab notes
• Maryland incentives

This week’s Passive House sweep

• Net-zero mechanicals
• A Philly Phius duplex
• Maryland incentives

Reimagine Buildings Collective: a practitioner room worth putting on the ExtraReach map

A paid peer community next to Passive House Accelerator (PHA)—forum, AMA Fridays, continuing-education units, and conferences—and how it fits ExtraReach’s planning map.

This week’s Passive House sweep

• Federal credit sunsets
• Phius multifamily growth
• PHI heat-pump criteria
• A Climate 4A case study

What changed in Passive House standards for 2026 builds

Phius 2024, PHI heat-pump criteria, incentive sunsets, and a proven residential envelope recipe—what I’m carrying into ExtraReach planning.

Why I’m Building a Zero-Energy Passive House

After years of researching energy efficiency, climate resilience, and long-term housing costs, I decided to pursue a zero-energy passive house.

The Passive House Principles That Changed My Thinking

Passive House design flips traditional construction priorities—reduce demand first, then right-size mechanicals for comfort with minimal energy.