Habitat Passive Townhouses

Columbia County Habitat for Humanity constructed two affordable townhouses in Hudson, New York, aligned with the Passive House standard. The Habitat Passive Townhouses are the first Habitat townhouses in New York to utilize the Passive House Standard which results in an estimated 90% less energy for heating.

Envelope.  Columbia County Habitat for Humanity has constructed two affordable townhouses in Hudson, New York, targeting the Passive House standard. The air-tight, super insulated homes feature 12" R-43 cellulose double stud walls and an R-87 roof, together with an R-56 foundation slab using 12" of EPS foam, and U-0.15 highly-insulative, triple-paned windows.

Systems.  The heating and hot water are provided by a high efficiency natural gas condensing boiler, and ventilation by an 84% efficient HRV.

  • Walls/Roof/Foundation

    • 12" Double stud with cellulose

    • 24" Cellulose

    Windows/Doors

    • U Value 0.15, SHGC 0.45

    Insulation

    • Cellulose and EPS foam

    • R-42 walls

    • R-56 slab

    • R-87 roof

  • Heating/Cooling

    • Air-source heat pump

    Ventilation

    • Heat Recovery Ventilator

    Hot Water

    • Electric resistance tank

Location: Hudson, New York

Services:
Energy Consulting

Design Basics:

Building Type: Duplex
Treated Floor Area: 3,250 SF
Climate Zone: 5
Solar Orientation: NE/NW axis

Performance:

pEUI: 8.3kBtu/sf/yr
Air Leakage 0.6ACH50

Heat Demand:  3.80 kBTU/(ft2yr)
Air Tightness:  0.60 ACH50 (target)
Primary Energy:  36.2 kBTU/(ft2yr)
Cooling Demand:  1.05 kBTU/(ft2yr)
Heat Load:  3.80 BTU/(ft2hr)
Cooling Load:  2.47 BTU/(ft2hr)

Project Team:

Architect: Dennis Wedlick Architect

Passive House Consultant & Mechanical Consultant: ZED

Client: Passive House ConsultantMechanical Designer

Client: Columbia County Habitat for Humanity

Pre-Certification & Field Verification: Levy Partnership

Funding and Development:
New York State Affordable Housing Corporation
The City of Hudson
Hudson Development Corporation
Passive House Consultant & Mechanical