Pa.'s first passive house debuts in Wilkinsburg
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A converted store front in Wilkinsburg is the first single-family home in Pennsylvania to earn passive house designation. Photo: Courtesy of Studio St. Germain
A home in Wilkinsburg practically powers itself.
Why it matters: Known as the Wilkinsburg Residence, it is the first single-family home in the state to earn a Passive House EnerPHit certification, and it debuted last month.
Context: The Germany-based Passive House Institute is an independent research firm recognizing performance-based energy standards in construction.
- EnerPHit is its established standard for the energy-efficient retrofit of existing buildings with passive house components, and allows for a bit more energy consumption than traditional passive houses since they are retrofitted and not ground-up construction, according to the institute's website.
Zoom in: The single-story, one-bedroom home in the Regent Square part of Wilkinsburg has 700 square feet of living space and a backyard.
- Its HVAC system controls indoor air quality and all-electric utilities, and bypasses the use of fossil fuels.
- The home was converted from an old storefront and has large windows to let in ample natural light.
Between the lines: The residence was designed by Sewickley-based Studio St. Germain.
The bottom line: Studio St. Germain founder Nathan St. Germain said in a press release that the home is about ensuring it's as comfortable as possible while meeting high energy-efficient standards.
- "The Wilkinsburg Residence combines two of our guiding principles: building to give back and improving lives. A passive house is not only energy efficient and sustainable, but it also has a positive effect on its occupants."
