Oak Harbor Passive House

Our goal from the very beginning of this project in Oak Harbor was to build a 2,000 square foot single-family home that meets the performance standards set by the Passive House Institute US (Phius), and with that certification now in hand, we can officially say that we succeeded in that. In collaboration with [bundle] design studio, this house has undergone thorough testing by Phius to ensure that it meets rigorous standards for energy-efficiency, indoor air quality, comfort, and durability.

This project was a first for us in a few ways: it was our first new single-family home construction, our first project using high-performance Vetta windows, and our first project to receive official Phius certification. The Phius certification process began on day one, starting with the design of the site to maximize solar gain, procuring the right systems and materials, and extensively documenting our entire process. The construction phase required a high level of diligence and quality control to minimize thermal bridging, ensure the envelope is tightly sealed, and install complex heating and ventilation systems. A final blower door test confirmed our expectations: that this is a well-built, tightly sealed, and extremely energy-efficient home.

To achieve our performance goals, we relied on triple-pane Vetta windows and dense-pack cellulose for insulation, a Zehnder heat-recovery ventilation system for indoor air quality, and a heat pump for efficient space conditioning. South-facing solar panels installed on the garage roof take full advantage of our region’s limited sunlight, contributing to the low-carbon footprint home our clients set out to build. Large sliding glass Vetta doors open up to sweeping views of the Puget Sound and a covered breezeway connected to the garage, offering a sense of indoor/outdoor living during the warmer months.

This property has been in our clients’ family since the Great Depression with various structures on the grounds over the years, but now they’ll have a comfortable, durable, and high-performing home to last for generations to come.