Hi Folks
Our super insulated passive solar house in
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
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
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
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
www.efficiencyvermont.com/conference <http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/conference>
877-248-9900
----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Graham <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
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
the
have been built in
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
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47457
And you can visit the
http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PHIUSHome.html
There is even a smaller movement of building designers working on
combining
the Passive House concept with
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