Passive Houses and Indoor Air Quality During the California Fires

Earlier this year, I visited Los Angeles where I toured the first four Passive Houses in Southern California - all very unique projects that showcased the benefits of Passive House even in warmer climates. While the Passive House requirements are much less stringent in California than they are in Eastern Canada, the same principles apply. And one major benefit of owning a Passive House became incredibly apparent while on these visits - air quality. During the wildfires, (and without me prompting them), these homeowners all commented on their experience living in a Passive House during the wildfires. At a time where the air quality in LA was observed to be the absolute worst (on the entire planet), these homeowners barely noticed a difference standing on the inside of their well mechanically-ventilated home. Thanks to an airtight envelope and impressive HRV units, these homeowners were largely directly unaffected by the fires. - Matt Daigle, CEO at Rise.

Much media attention has been given to the role climate change has played in increasing the severity of mega-storms and potentially devastating billions of communities located in low-lying coastal areas. However, a warmer global climate can drastically change established weather patterns upon which our society has come to depend. For example, small farmers in the Global South are increasingly forced off their land due to the unpredictability associated with the beginning and the end of the rainy season. Similarly, shifting precipitation patterns are leading to more frequent and severe droughts in many areas across the world. More intense hydrological cycles characterized by extended drought followed by massive precipitation events increase the risk of vulnerable communities to mega-storms. These events increase the threat of devastating wildfires.

Already in 2019, the state of California has suffered through astounding 6,402 wildfires affecting over 250,000 acres of land. That number is over one thousand fires higher than the five-year average. Wildfires in the state of California and across other arid and dry areas of the country have become a severe threat that homeowners should take into consideration. In a recent article, Rise has written about tips to protect your home from wildfires. Taking steps to “fire-proof” your home is undoubtedly wise, given the increasing frequency of fires.

Another consequence of wildfires that often goes undiscussed is the hazard of wildfire smoke and its effect on our health. Passive homes offer the absolute best standards for interior air quality. Might their focus on super-tight and sealed building envelopes and advanced ventilation systems contribute to protecting the indoor air quality of homes located in areas where wildfire smoke is a common occurrence?