Passive design is rooted in common sense. Its principles harken back to traditional building methods before things got so complicated with modern technology. Although LEED advocates passive design strategies, it also governs active design components too, including air conditioning, heating elements and even solar panels. However, a "Passive House" can also be certified by a separate organization.

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Wolfgang Feist founded the Passivhaus Institute in 1996 in Germany. The standards he developed have been applied to the construction of over 15,000 buildings in Europe. In 2003, a similar standard was established stateside, the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS). Certification is bestowed on homes that meet its high energy performance standards, verified through special modeling software. These homes save 60-70% of the energy that an average home consumes, requiring a minimal amount of heat from active systems.

Homeowners may choose to hire a Passive House consultant. Certification fees are approximately $700 - $800, but they may vary, and substantially so if a consultant is not used. There are at least 10 Certified Passive Houses in the US, from the Stanton House in Urbana, Illinois, to a retrofit in Sonoma, California. Several dozen other projects are currently under review. Additional standards for existing buildings are under consideration since it is difficult to achieve Passive House certification in extreme climates.