What does the term "whole-house approach" mean in the context of BPI?

The term "whole-house approach" in the context of BPI refers to evaluating and addressing the entire home system. This methodology emphasizes the interconnectedness of various systems within a home, including heating, cooling, insulation, air leakage, ventilation, and the impact of occupant behavior. By examining how these components work together, the whole-house approach allows for more comprehensive solutions that improve energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality.

This concept is fundamental to BPI practices, as it ensures that interventions made to improve one part of the home do not inadvertently compromise the performance of others. For example, adding insulation without considering ventilation can lead to moisture problems. The whole-house approach promotes an integrated perspective, supporting better decision-making for home performance improvement.

Focusing solely on insulation ignores other vital components and their interactions, while increasing the building's square footage or renovating individual components independently neglects the system-wide impacts of such changes. Therefore, the whole-house approach is essential for achieving a holistic improvement in home performance.