An earlier blog series looked at finding a builder for your passive house kit from EkoBuilt. Let’s dig into project management options. Home building is all about the details In an earlier series we did a three-parter on Finding a Builder for Your EkoBuilt Passive House. Because of our robust supply chains and experience, we’re confident in claiming we offer the most affordable passive house solution for US and Canadian home owners. We can ship your pre-certified passive house kit anywhere in the continental US or Canada. We also offer exceptional support to the builders on the ground who put ..read more

Having shared construction options for passive house basements and design ideas, here’s a project of an EkoBuilt passive house with a walkout. A light filled passive house This is the third in a series of posts about the options for passive house basements. Be sure to reads Part 1 and Part 2. An EkoBuilt customer in Eastern Ontario has been building a modified version of the Shooting Star passive floor plan with a walkout basement. The owners are preparing for retirement and chose a quiet, rural property. The downsized space still provides space to work from home and room for visitors. The sl ..read more

In our last post, we talked about preconditions and the construction method for a passive house basement. How do you create your space? Planning your passive house basement You’ve determined that a basement is on the cards for your passive house, now what? With a purchase as big as a home, it’s good to think on this for a while. You’ll want this space to serve your needs well now and in the future. Whether a home office, flex space, studio, home gym, or a completely separate suite comes to mind, map it all out. Consider the connection you want the space to have to the rest of the home. Also ..read more

A basement is always an option with your passive house design. What kind of basement do you need? Planning your basement We’re often asked about basements with our passive houses. The answer is always “Yes, we can do that!” What really matters is what makes sense for your project. Frost protected slabs were not readily available in the past, but today this is always a great option. We most frequently implement slab on grade as it makes any house building project more affordable. If how you live makes a basement feel important, we’ll make sure your house design includes one that will work with ..read more

This spring, EkoBuilt is extending a special offer to anyone confirming a project before May 30th. Save money on your passive house build We’ll ship your kit for FREE just about anywhere in the continental US and Canada. That’s a HUGE saving! Understand what’s involved in shipping and the financial value here: Understanding EkoBuilt’s Passive House Kit Costs Join the list of homeowners going passive (and net zero) in these states and provinces in 2024 (and the year is still just getting started!): Maine, Virginia, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, Utah, and Illinois Ontario ..read more

There is a lot of talk about net zero, and a lot of confusion in the mix about house construction models. Here’s what you need to know! House construction model comparison Passive house is a model of home construction, whereas net zero is an energy consumption model. These are not the same thing. The building code that has dictated and guided house construction for decades has never taken into account energy usage. This is a new concern of the 21st century. It’s high time, too! The only downside right now is resulting confusion, as “net zero” is thrown around a great deal with very loose defi ..read more

Let’s tackle the often heard myth of passive house overheating. It just isn’t so — learn why! Regulating temperature Commonsense will tell you that any house or building has the capacity to overheat if the outside temperature rises significantly. A standard or code built home will require a lot of cooling to keep it from overheating. A passive house simply requires much, much less cooling thanks to its highly insulated nature and thermal bridge-free construction. A conventional or current code-built house may require air conditioning all day long (10 to 16 hours) or even around the clock in a ..read more

Looking for land to build just outside of Ottawa? The Braeburn Estates offer a special opportunity to live on gorgeous waterfront just 30 minutes west of Kanata. Prime building lots along the shores of the Madawaska River offer classic Eastern Ontario landscapes. Picture a gorgeous passive house with beautiful vistas of the Madawaska River, nestled in a forest of hardwood, pine and spruce. Small energy footprint, huge lifestyle benefits and views. These beautiful building lots enjoy prime views of the Madawaska River and abundant privacy. The terrain is blanketed with a beautiful mature for ..read more

A smaller footprint is a no brainer for sustainability, but sometimes a large home is needed. A large passive home is surprisingly efficient. Going passive isn’t restricted by size It’s not surprising at all that the majority of folks interested in building passive tend to also understand the importance of a smaller footprint. Making smart use of space can mean building with less material upfront; less home to heat, cool and maintain; and more money in your pocket. So, what if you have a large family? What if you’re interested in a multi-generational home? What if you’re interested in sharing ..read more

This build in Ontario, Canada is a great showcase for owners wishing to build their own passive house with EkoBuilt’s kit. The most home for your money A young couple is currently building their home in Ontario, Canada using EkoBuilt’s passive house kit. Like many young couples, they were focused on building sustainably, while maximizing space smartly. That meant adopting the “cube approach” to building, which is incredibly efficient and cost effective. Borrowing the central footprint of our original Trillium house plan, the couple envisaged three floors of stacked living space. The middle or ..read more