Passive House Savings Calculator

Passive House (Passivhaus) is a rigorous building energy standard originating in Germany that reduces space heating and cooling energy by 70-90% compared to standard construction. It achieves this through thick insulation, triple-pane windows, airtight construction, heat recovery ventilation, and optimized solar gain - not through active heating/cooling systems.

In North America, a Passive House typically costs 5-15% more than standard construction for new builds, or $15,000-$50,000 more for a typical single-family home. Retrofitting an existing home to Passive House standard is more expensive, often $30,000-$100,000 or more depending on the starting condition of the building envelope.

Simple payback periods range from 10 to 25 years depending on climate, energy prices, and the premium paid. In cold climates with high energy costs, payback can be as short as 8-12 years. When financed as part of a mortgage, the monthly energy savings often offset or exceed the added mortgage payment from day one, making cash flow positive immediately.