Passive House Accelerator: Unlocking Airtightness and Insulation – GreenBuildingAdvisor

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A look at materials, installation strategies, and testing methods that make airtightness achievable on real-world projects

One of the starkest differences between passive house construction and standard construction methods is the focus on airtightness in passive house. Beyond hitting code minimums for airtightness (in New York State, code requires a maximum of 3 air changes per hour), many construction teams do not employ airtightness strategies in their buildings.

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Passive house in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, during construction and after completion. Image: Ingui Architecture and Allyson Lubow

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I sat down with Kevin Brennan, director of building systems and performance at Source 2050, to demystify airtightness. Kevin began his career as an FDNY firefighter and training specialist at the Association for Energy Affordability before becoming one of the leading Passive House Tradesperson instructors and air-sealing and insulation subcontractors in New York.

Kevin describes what he sees as the most intimidating aspects of passive house airtightness strategies: First, it is unfamiliar to many general contractors and project managers; second, it is not the common practice in the construction industry; and finally, it is invisible in a completed project. Because imperfections, cracks, and penetrations are often hidden behind drywall in a finished project, pressure to keep on schedule can limit the amount of time contractors can put into checking their work.

When training contractors on how to achieve airtightness on their projects, Kevin describes SMART airtightness strategies: those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. This reflects a practical reality of airtightness and insulation installation. The goal is not to strive for absolute perfection but rather to understand existing conditions and determine what interventions are feasible to meet project targets.

Airtightness Strategies: Demystifying Air Barriers

Types of Airtightness Barriers

One of the first decisions teams will have to make is what type of air barrier makes the most sense for their project.

Air barriers come in all forms, from self-adhered membranes and…