Over the past couple of years I’ve been reading and following news articles about alternative home designs from pre-fab, container, LEED, energy star and retrofit programs, the list goes on.
One such design practice has caught my eye on two fronts you’ve already heard me talk about my desire to add a passive solar greenhouse to my garden in the spring. Well on my wish list or should I call it “dream list”, is a passive house. This design principle stands head and shoulders above the pack, potentially on it’s own when it comes energy efficiency.
In a recent article, I read and chuckled about the authors referral to builders current use of “Green Bling” to lower a homes carbon footprint. I love it!! Please feel free to read the entire article here http://www.emagazine.com/view/?5379
I would have gladly paid a 30% premium for my current home, if it meant going forward I would have less of a dependency of fossil fuels to heat or cool my home. At present this is the most aggressive standard in the world for energy efficiency. A certified passive house requires about 90% less energy, to maintain a comfortable living environment.
I hope more architects, builders and countries adopt this building practice. If North America is serious about find ways to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels why now start with the home; Passive Houses, lets all hope more of them find their way in our communities.
