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policy:massachusettes [2025/03/20 14:46] – [Part 2: “Crushing” Space Heating: The Key to Decarbonization] yaling.hsiao@passiv.depolicy:massachusettes [2025/03/20 15:04] (current) – yaling.hsiao@passiv.de
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 In local vernacular, Passive House is described as something that “crushes” space heating. This is because it doesn’t just reduce space heating incrementally, but near eliminates it [Zimin 2022]. Passive House’s ability to “crush” building space heating to near elimination enables a “grid friendly” swap from gas to electric space heating, unlocking decarbonization of building space heating previously not thought possible. In local vernacular, Passive House is described as something that “crushes” space heating. This is because it doesn’t just reduce space heating incrementally, but near eliminates it [Zimin 2022]. Passive House’s ability to “crush” building space heating to near elimination enables a “grid friendly” swap from gas to electric space heating, unlocking decarbonization of building space heating previously not thought possible.
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 +[{{ :picopen:m2.png?600 |Source: Picture is from the presentation of 27th International Passive House Conference 2024}}]
  
 Prior to Passive House, space heating reduction was not a priority in Massachusetts. Codes and popular rating systems like LEED targeted reductions in total building energy and were neutral as to what was improved or reduced (e.g. gas, electricity, lighting, heating, cooling, fans, envelope, etc. were all treated the same). Indeed, it was not uncommon for designs to increase space heating. This was happening because energy code allowed, for example, swapping reduced envelope performance for improved lighting performance. Code was satisfied so long as total energy use was reduced. Prior to Passive House, space heating reduction was not a priority in Massachusetts. Codes and popular rating systems like LEED targeted reductions in total building energy and were neutral as to what was improved or reduced (e.g. gas, electricity, lighting, heating, cooling, fans, envelope, etc. were all treated the same). Indeed, it was not uncommon for designs to increase space heating. This was happening because energy code allowed, for example, swapping reduced envelope performance for improved lighting performance. Code was satisfied so long as total energy use was reduced.
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 The convergence of these two trends provided an opportunity to ubiquitously electrify, and thus decarbonize, building space heating which was previously unattainable. In 2024, electric grid emissions rates are such that space heating with electric heat pumps has less than half the emissions of on-site fossil fuel combustion. By 2050, once renewables are fully in place, space heating with electric heat pumps will have 95% less emissions [Ormond 2022]. The convergence of these two trends provided an opportunity to ubiquitously electrify, and thus decarbonize, building space heating which was previously unattainable. In 2024, electric grid emissions rates are such that space heating with electric heat pumps has less than half the emissions of on-site fossil fuel combustion. By 2050, once renewables are fully in place, space heating with electric heat pumps will have 95% less emissions [Ormond 2022].
  
-[{{ :picopen:m1.png?600 |Source: Picture is from the presentation of 27th International Passive House Conference 2024 }}]+[{{ :picopen:m1.png?600 |Source: Presentation of 27th International Passive House Conference 2024 }}]
  
 However, a fossil fuel to electric swap without significantly reducing the space heating demand itself first would introduce a large new, very costly, peak load on the electric grid. By the early to mid 2010’s, it become clear that heating load reduction would be crucial to facilitate a grid friendly fossil fuel to electric swap. However, a fossil fuel to electric swap without significantly reducing the space heating demand itself first would introduce a large new, very costly, peak load on the electric grid. By the early to mid 2010’s, it become clear that heating load reduction would be crucial to facilitate a grid friendly fossil fuel to electric swap.
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 During this time, the community of citizen-advocates mobilized by the GCA were taking note of Passive House’s rapid adoption and cost-effectiveness. Local training and advocacy groups like Passive House Massachusetts and Built Environment Plus emerged during this time. During this time, the community of citizen-advocates mobilized by the GCA were taking note of Passive House’s rapid adoption and cost-effectiveness. Local training and advocacy groups like Passive House Massachusetts and Built Environment Plus emerged during this time.
  
-[{{ :picopen:m2.png?600 |Source: Picture is from the presentation of 27th International Passive House Conference 2024}}] 
 ===== Part 4:  TEDI Codes and a Passive House Mandate Arrives ===== ===== Part 4:  TEDI Codes and a Passive House Mandate Arrives =====
  
policy/massachusettes.1742478390.txt.gz · Last modified: by yaling.hsiao@passiv.de