PHILADELPHIA -- One of the first indications that the newest apartment building at a master-planned community in Chester County, Pennsylvania, is different is the self-watering green wall of plants in the lobby.
More subtle but more important than the plant wall are the solar panels on the roof of the four-story building. Together with panels on a parking lot canopy, they're expected to generate enough energy to eliminate electric bills for residents of the building's one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
"This is a step toward a solution," Hankin said. "I think this is the future."
In 2023, Phius, formerly Passive House Institute US, certified a total of 1,459 units in 58 projects, the vast majority of which are residential. It has certified 1,585 units in 69 projects so far in 2024.
She said it's important for property buyers and renters "to know they can ask for more" -- not just features such as granite countertops but homes that are more comfortable and healthier. If consumers expect more, "it can drive the industry to move that way," she said.
Passive building has been bigger in the subsidized housing space than for market-rate buildings because of government funding and tax incentives. But Hankin said, "we're trying to do it without the subsidy."
The apartments have energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, insulated triple-pane windows, and heat pump water heaters that provide nearly instant hot water and are four times more energy efficient than standard electric heaters.
Tenants in most of the seven occupied apartments told management that they were attracted to Passive House because of its sustainability.
And they're willing to pay for it. The building's one-bedroom apartments start at $2,273 per month, two-bedroom units start at $2,999, and three-bedroom units start at $4,120.
Even if people don't care about saving on energy bills or reducing carbon emissions," White at Phius said. "Ultimately [a passive building] is just a better building for tenants. It's more comfortable quieter healthier."
Passive buildings' airtightness and high-performing windows and doors come with other perks besides air quality and energy savings including another level of protection against pests and indoor temperatures that stay at safe levels during power outages.
And passive buildings fight back against two common complaints from tenants: hearing and smelling neighbors.
"We function as a coach cheerleader then end process referee [with certifiers] developers want their projects sustainable some way," Jensen said."One core components mission professional help builders do better job way they'd happy repeat."
MaGrann Associates advises clients on everything from which building materials to use to where to caulk to which plants are appropriate for landscaping.
The company has worked with Hankin Group on projects with less strict green building standards.The developer's teams "were mixture excited concerned" reaching passive certifications Jensen said.He said Hankin Group approached undertaking respect helped developer reach point < p > Passive not easy takes time planning Jensen Developers tried failed < blockquote > passive major reputation super higher - performing standard compared traditional he < p > Once builder successfully completes structure subsequent projects easier Jensen seen clients elevate standards try < blockquote > see housing end point everyone work able get execute he