Passive design strategies decrease energy use by keeping heat in or out of buildings, as the name implies… passively. Compared to “active” strategies, like installing efficient electric heating systems, passive design strategies, like building orientation or wall insulation, increase a building’s energy efficiency simply by reducing the amount of energy it takes to keep spaces comfortable.
In the photo above, you can see how thick the walls are at the RWKC. Our walls were thoughtfully designed with plenty of insulation and an air barrier to help retain heat in winter and keep heat out during summer.