Seven Carleton buildings receive official passive housing certification

In a major step toward Carleton’s sustainability goals, seven of the College’s newly constructed buildings were recently PHIUS certified. 

PHIUS (Passive House Institute, U.S.) is the leading passive building certification program in North America. The organization certifies housing projects that use design to minimize energy use. Requirements include airtightness, window comfort, and moisture and thermal designs that increase energy efficiency while reducing costs.

Carleton’s certified buildings are the five Lilac Hill townhouses, Neil House, and the Multicultural Center. The buildings are designed to use 69 percent less energy annually than similar buildings built to meet current energy code standards.

The energy efficient design includes exterior walls that are over a foot thick to minimize air infiltration and leakage. The Lilac Hill buildings also have 600 solar panels, which generate enough electricity to reach net zero by offsetting the annual energy usage of the buildings.

“This achievement confirms that the student housing buildings were built to the high standards set by PHIUS CORE certification, ensuring superior performance and quality construction,” Carleton partner Terra Construction wrote in a post about the project on Facebook.

The certified buildings were constructed during Phase I of the College’s Student Life and Housing Plan. Phases II through IV of the plan include construction of a new space for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) and renovations of existing houses. The plan aims to create more equitable and community-focused residential and learning spaces. 

A major goal of Carleton’s Sustainable Futures framework is to reduce emissions by implementing sustainable operations. The passive housing certifications testify to the progress underway to reach that goal and increase energy efficiency across campus.