Passive House (Passivhaus) is the gold standard of energy-efficient construction. Ontario is seeing growing interest in both new Passive House builds and deep energy retrofits of existing homes.
Core Passive House Principles
- Super-insulation: walls R-40+, roof R-60+, slab R-20+
- Thermal bridge-free construction
- Triple-pane windows (U-value 0.8 or better)
- Airtight building envelope (tested to 0.6 ACH50 or less)
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (HRV/ERV)
Deep Energy Retrofits in Ontario
Full Passive House retrofits on existing homes are complex and expensive: $150,000-$400,000+ for a typical detached. The approach usually involves exterior continuous insulation (adding 4-8 inches to the exterior), new windows, and meticulous air sealing.
Intermediate High-Performance Steps
Many Ontario homeowners achieve 50-70% energy reduction with targeted upgrades:
- Dense-pack cellulose in existing wall cavities
- Spray foam rim joists
- Attic air sealing before adding insulation
- Replacing windows with triple-pane
- HRV installation
Rebates and Programs
Canada Greener Homes and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program provide significant incentives. EnerGuide ratings and energy advisor assessments are required. The deeper the retrofit, the larger the rebate potential.
Passive House Certified Contractors in Ontario
Look for PHIUS or PHI certified builders and raters. The Passive House Canada directory lists certified practitioners by province.
Explore high-performance renovation strategies with Ontario homeowners at home.renovation.reviews — the forum covers deep energy retrofits, insulation systems, and mechanical systems.