Hi Folks
Our super insulated passive solar house in Charlotte is a LEED platinum home
with an HERS score of 0. We have been living there since August 07. We far
exceeded our energy 10 model for performance.
The house is 2700 SF and used 5750 kWh from Jan 10th to Decemeber 20th 345
days. That includes all of our electric cooking and about 175
kWh(converted) wood stove . Our 10kWh net metered turbine has produced more
than that for a net energy gain.
Those are real results
David Pill
_____
From: VGBN Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ben Graham
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Passive Houses
Thanks for that clarification Jeff,
I think LEED has been getting flack for the reason you describe below.
People seem more interested in certification than real results, otherwise it
would change. This is basic scientific process. While you can generally
rely on designs to some extent, there has been recent findings that show a
more rigorous analysis is needed to actually achieve it goals. I would take
this as a critique from people who are interested in the same outcome.
Ben
On 12/29/08 10:08 AM, "Jeff Gephart" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Ben et al,
A Home Energy Rating (HER) is a projection of a building's energy use and
comparison of that particular building, to itself, built to the
International Energy Conservation Code energy-efficiency specifications.
For all homes receiving a Home Energy Rating, building tightness is
determined by a blower door test at the completion of construction and the
tested tightness is a component of the Home Energy Rating score calculation.
All homes in Vermont within LEED for Homes are certified using the Optimize
Energy Performance path within the Energy & Atmosphere section of LEED for
Homes. This means that the LEED for Homes points earned for
energy-efficiency are based on the home's Home Energy Rating score, which
again includes air tightness results, not just design assumptions.
Results are more important than projections; however, it is my understanding
that when evaluated, Vermont's Home Energy Rating projections have been
demonstrated to be conservative and that consumption for heating, cooling,
and water heating is more commonly slightly less than the Home Energy Rating
projection.
In the U.S. I doubt we will see any shift toward awarding green building
certification after a year's worth of actual energy use. One of the primary
reasons is that builders and developers want to provide buyers with
certification at closing.
Discussions between multiple stakeholders have resulted in an agreement that
all homes being certified as green homes in Vermont, whether by the USGBC's
LEED for Homes, the NAHB's National Green Building Standards, or BSR's
Vermont Builds Greener, will have a Home Energy Rating (and must at least
achieve the ENERGY STAR Home energy-efficiency as a minimum level, a
threshold less efficient than Passive Haus). So, regardless of certifying
entity, all homes will have a Home Energy Rating (and blower door test)
based on inspections at completion.
Passive Haus criteria are on Efficiency Vermont's radar though it isn't
clear if or how they might factor into future in-state programs or services.
FYI,
Jeff Gephart
Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes
A service of Efficiency Vermont & Vermont Gas Systems
LEED for Homes
A U.S. Green Building Council program
800-893-1997
802-767-3861 fax
Better Buildings By Design Conference
returns to Vermont February 11-12, 2009.
Sheraton Conference Center, Burlington.
www.efficiencyvermont.com/conference
<http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/conference>
<http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/conference>
877-248-9900
----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Graham <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 11:25 PM
Subject: Re: [VGBNTALK] Passive Houses
That's good to know Robert.
There's another rub that make's the Passive House concept different than
LEED and much better for it. It uses actual energy usage and blower door
results. Not just designs.
Which energy use standards were you using? They haven't published
standards for our climate yet. Probably the closest ones are the ones
being developed for lapland and sweden.
Ben
On 12/28/08 10:17 PM, "Robert Riversong" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Ben, et al:
I just crunched some numbers and discovered that if I modified the
superinsulated house I built last year by increasing the south glazing by
60sf (from 138sf to 198sf), using moderate solar heat gain triple glazed
instead of double lowE", and replaced the exhaust only, passive inlet
ventilation system with a 75% efficient HRV, then it would have met all the
PassivHaus standards.
Maybe next time.
- Robert
--- On Sun, 12/28/08, Ben Graham <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Ben Graham <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Passive Houses
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2008, 4:39 PM
I wanted to let people know about one of the most far reaching and
innovative energy efficiency movements in construction called the Passive
House Movement. It started in Germany perhaps 12-15 years ago spurred on
by
the Kyoto Protocol and the German Government. Over 15,000 of these houses
have been built in Central Europe and the concept is spreading fast. There
have been few cold climate models but there are many experiments underway.
The idea is similar to net zero but more innovative. You can find out more
details in the links below.
You can read a report of the 3rd annual Passive House Conference in the
US just held in Duluth, MN here:
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47457
And you can visit the US passive house center here:
http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PHIUSHome.html
There is even a smaller movement of building designers working on
combining
the Passive House concept with Natural Building.
The passive house model is based on real use rather than designs and is
backed up with fuel use receipts.
If anyone knows of anyone trying a Passive House in VT, please let me
know.
Cheers,
Ben
Those who give up freedom for safety, deserve neither.
Benjamin Franklin
__________________________________________________________
Ben Graham
www.naturaldesignbuild.us
Natural building/design services/workshops/consulting
Integrating Culture and Nature
802.454.1167
Those who give up freedom for safety, deserve neither.
Benjamin Franklin
__________________________________________________________
Ben Graham
www.naturaldesignbuild.us
Natural building/design services/workshops/consulting
Integrating Culture and Nature
802.454.1167
Those who give up freedom for safety, deserve neither.
Benjamin Franklin
__________________________________________________________
Ben Graham
www.naturaldesignbuild.us
Natural building/design services/workshops/consulting
Integrating Culture and Nature
802.454.1167
