Keeping Pipes from Freezing in Passive House: How to Plan for Resilient Pipes in New Construction
Massachusetts firm ZeroEnergy Design has extensive experience designing energy-efficient homes in places with frigid winters, such as this Passive House in Vermont. Jordan Goldman, an engineering principal there, shared some tips for constructing a house with pipes that won’t be vulnerable to freezing.
“Implementing these strategies will yield a more comfortable home with improved plumbing resilience and a far lower chance of any pipes freezing, even in the case of a power outage without a generator and/or in the presence of low outdoor temperatures,” he says.
Keep plumbing and HVAC equipment and systems within the home’s thermal envelope whenever possible. (Exceptions include exterior penetrations for life safety, health or code requirements such as plumbing ventilation stacks, heating system combustion exhaust and mechanical ventilation intake/exhaust.)
Never install water pipes inside exterior walls, unconditioned attics, unconditioned crawl spaces or basements. (Frost-proof sillcocks are an exception to this rule).
Avoid spot air leakage or cold spots inside the house by using b...
Keeping Pipes from Freezing in Passive House: How to Plan for Resilient Pipes in New Construction Massachusetts firm ZeroEnergy Design has extensive experience designing energy-efficient homes in places with frigid winters, such as this Passive House in Vermont. Jordan Goldman, an engineering principal there, shared some tips for constructing a house with pipes that won’t be vulnerable to freezing. “Implementing these strategies will yield a more comfortable home with improved plumbing resilience and a far lower chance of any pipes freezing, even in the case of a power outage without a generator and/or in the presence of low outdoor temperatures,” he says. Keep plumbing and HVAC equipment and systems within the home’s thermal envelope whenever possible. (Exceptions include exterior penetrations for life safety, health or code requirements such as plumbing ventilation stacks, heating system combustion exhaust and mechanical ventilation intake/exhaust.) Never install water pipes inside exterior walls, unconditioned attics, unconditioned crawl spaces or basements. (Frost-proof sillcocks are an exception to this rule). Avoid spot air leakage or cold spots inside the house by using b...
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