5 Takeaways from the
Blue Ribbon Commission on
Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery
A recent report from UCLA and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery highlights Passive House as a key to rebuilding the neighborhoods devastated by January’s LA Wildfires. The report includes policy and community recommendations and actionable steps that will ensure safer, healthier buildings can be rebuilt as soon as possible.
We’re thrilled to see Passive House being recommended for safe and efficient rebuilds. We encourage you to read the full report generated from community and stakeholder input, but if you’re looking for the highlights, here are our Top 5 Takeaways.
1. Passive House improves indoor air quality and reduces energy demand by up to 90%.
Triple-paned windows and smaller mechanical equipment create a more efficient space to heat and cool. Combined with all-electric construction, this approach eliminates indoor combustion and its associated health impacts and supports long-term community health and lower utility expenses. A Certified Passive House Designer can help you guarantee these benefits.
2. Providing residents, architects, engineers, and contractor with the right education is crucial.
Utilities should work in partnership with existing organizations like USGBC, and AIA to provide education to homeowners and encourage the use of related informational sources. PHN is proud to partner with AIA and USGBC organizations and local utilities to educate professionals. You can start with our Free 1 Hour Intro to Passive House course.
3. The County of Los Angeles should fast-track high-performance resilient buildings like Passive House.
Streamlined permitting, pre-approved designs, and other incentives can help speed along the rebuilding process without compromising on quality buildings. The PHN California Rebuilds Design Competition will produce high-performance plans ready for pre-approval. Submit by September 30th.
4. A Library of pre-approved all-electric, fire-resistant Passive Houses should be collected and published.
Such a library would support expedited permitting for rebuilds and provide quality high-performance buildings that protect occupant and community health and support fire resilience. PHN will be supporting the creation of a library, in addition to useful directories of component manufacturers, certifiers, and more.
5. Passive House is the way forward—and you can help build the movement.
Whether you’re an architect, consultant, engineer, policymaker, developer, or homeowner, you have a place in our community. Take your next step forward to learn about rebuilding with Passive House today.
