Insights
Notes on Building Science and High-Performance Homes
Short, plain-language articles from Brett Sichello on Passive House, building science and designing homes for the Okanagan climate.
Passive House and the BC Energy Step Code: What Is the Difference?
How the two relate, and what the difference means for a homeowner.
Designing for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat in the Okanagan
What a high-performance envelope and filtered ventilation do, and how we measure it.
What Airtightness and Energy Numbers Actually Mean
A plain-language guide to ACH @ 50Pa and kWh/m²a.
Vapour Barriers and Air Tight Envelopes
Why polyethylene vapour barriers leak in practice, and what we recommend instead.
Triple Glazed Passive House Windows
What to look for in a Passive House window: glass, frame, spacer and installation.
Six Enemies of Heat Loss in Homes
Air leakage, thermal bridges, insulation, windows, heating and exhaust fans.
Passive House Cooktop and Range Hood Exhaust
Induction or gas, and what each means for ventilation and cost.
