Ecocor Prefab Passive Houses

In the prefab world, Ecocor is a pioneer in Passive Houses. Their collection of prefab homes are incredibly energy-efficient and net zero-ready. Depending on the option you choose, your home may be completely Passive House certified.

Who is Ecocor?

Ecocor designs, creates, delivers and installs energy-efficient structures in North America. As a result, their homes are low carbon and net zero-ready. Headquartered in Searsmont, Maine, the company has been building Passive Houses for more than a decade.

In 2014, the company became the first in North America to create prefab Passive Houses and the first to become a manufacturer of Passive House components outside of Europe. Some of their Passive House components are certified by Germany’s Passive House Institute.

Their structural details and their roof, foundation and wall designs are all patent pending. When it comes to energy efficiency, it’s hard to beat an Ecocor home. The company’s system reduces energy consumption by as much as 90%.

Ecocor designs and manufactures homes for buyers all over the world. Their New England location means that they are familiar with cold climates and are more than capable of producing homes that are suitable for Canada and Europe.

The heart of the Ecocor system is their Enclosure Systems, also known as shells.

Ecocor Shells

Ecocor has two options for enclosure systems, and either one can be used for any of their homes (custom or pre-designed).

Passiv Shell

The Passive Haus enclosure system is designed to meet Passive House standards. These homes are incredibly energy efficient. Depending on your location, size and budget, you may find that a fully Passive House is your best option.

The Passive enclosure offers:

• The highest level of insulation
• A home that Passive House-certifiable
• Vapor open construction that’s airtight
• Viking triple glazed windows
• Wall thickness of 17”-22”

Passiv Shell homes have the Ecocor PassivWall, which is designed to create an airtight, insulated space that’s vapor-open and uses cellulose insulation that’s mineral borate-treated and fiberized.

There are two wall options for Passiv Shell homes.

Passiv 4 (R-58.6)

• Rockwool R15
• 2×4 SPF
• Wood I-Joist
• Greenfiber cellulose
• Viking windows
• Strapping/Purlins
• Vana tape
• Mento 3000
• Visconn
• Zip sheathing

Passiv 6 (R-65)

The Passiv 6 wall system offers all of the same features, but has 2×6 SPF instead.

For the roof, these homes use the Ecocor PassivRoof system. Together with the PassivWall system, this home offers excellent energy efficiency and insulation.

Optima Shell

If you’re looking for an energy efficient home but not necessarily a home that meets all Passive House standards, the Optima enclosure may be the best option for you.

The Optima enclosure offers:

• Various options for insulation based on your climate
• Vapor open construction that’s airtight
• Viking triple-glazed windows
• Wall thickness of 9.5”-13.25”

Optima wall systems are both water-resistant and airtight. The structural layer is comprised of the sheathed 1/2″ Huber Zip system. The continuous layer of Gutex fiberboard insulation on the exterior eliminates the need for a thermal bridge and is vapor open.

The Mento 3000 TEEE membrane and Rainscreen add to the water system’s water resistance.

The wall system options include:

• Optima 4 (R-23)
• Optima 6 (R-30)
• Optima 6+ (R-40)
• Optima 8+ (R-47)

The Optima 16 panelized roof is entirely waterproof, airtight and vapor open. In addition, they offer an R60 insulation value, and the Plus Vapor membrane helps regulate humidity.

Foundation Options

According to Ecocor, a Passive House can be built on any type of foundation. Their options include:

• Crawl space: Encocor offers EPS insulation, which is the form system used for their slab systems. Insulation and concrete are provided by third parties.
• Stem wall foundation with slab: For situations where slab on grade is not allowed.
• Heated basement foundation: For those who want a basement.

The company’s proprietary foundation system is the Ecocor PassivSlab. This is a raft slab system made out of borate-treated expanded polystyrene (EPS). The system is certified by the International Passive House Institute.

A pier foundation system is also available.

Window Options

Ecocor imports high-quality European windows. Their options include:

•  SW14 Aluclad Passive: A Certified Passive House component. These windows have 50mm triple glazing, one warm edge spacer and two low-E coatings.
• SW14 Timber: Designed specifically for Nordic countries. These also have 50mm triple glazing, two low-E coatings and a warm edge spacer.
• SW17 Timber: For zero energy homes in Northern climates. These windows have three glazings as well as two sash gaskets.
• DK88 Aluclad and Timber: An inward-opening, 88mm window with two low-E glasses, an insulated glazing unit and a warm edge spacer.

Door Options

Ecocor has several door options for their homes:

• SW17: 78mm EPS insulation; single or double-leaf door set
• DK88: 88 mm of insulation; low Weser threshold
• Innova sliding door: Provides excellent weather tightness, with a U-value of 0.72 W/m2K

Lift and slide doors as well as bifold doors are also available.

Ecocor Series

Solsken by Ecocor

The Solsken base collection includes homes in a wide range of sizes. All of the homes in this collection can be customized to meet your needs, although some tweaks may come at a higher cost.

Clover

• 1,051 square feet
• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Single story

Goldenrod

• 1,431 square feet
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Single story

Jasmine

• 2,218 square feet
• 4 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms
• Single story

Rhodi

• 1,763 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• Two-stories

Marigold

• 2,685 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Single story

What’s not included with an Ecocor home?

• Travel
• Installation when outside of Maine
• Concrete and rebar
• Site work
• Utility hook-ups
• Fit and finishes for the exterior and interior
• Interior doors
• Installation of the ventilation system
• Standing seam metal roof
• Plumbing
• Electrical and mechanical work

Ecocor Custom Series

If you can’t find a pre-designed home that meets your needs, Ecocor also offers custom builds. Choose the design, size and style that meet your needs and lifestyle.

Ecocor FAQs

What is the Ecocor Build Process?

Once your design has been finalized, Ecocor orders the windows and doors for the home. The panels are built in their facility. The doors and windows are installed, the panels are then racked and placed on a trailer for shipment.

At the job site, the panels are assembled by the general contractor. An Ecocor Site Supervisor will also be on hand to make sure the home is built to the company’s Passive House standards.

How Long Does It Take to Build an Ecocor House?

It takes just 4-6 weeks to build a home in the company’s facility.