Christian Gladu, designer of our homes and generally awesome guy, just sent me this note:
"Today I leave for Passive House Consultants Training in Troutdale, Oregon. The Passive House Concept is to reduce the energy required to heat a home by up to 90%. Passive Houses are primarily heated by passive solar gains and internal heat gains from people and equipment. Energy losses are minimized by very well insulated, air tight building envelopes. Exceptional Indoor air quality is maintained by the use of an energy recovery ventilator. Proper shading, window orientation and glazing selection reduces the cooling load. The U.S. Energy Administration states that buildings are responsible for 48% of all green house gas admissions and 76% of all electricity produced by U.S. power plants is consumed by the building sector.
In Europe during past 10 years more than 6000 buildings ranging from single family residential buildings to factories and schools have been design, built and or remodeled to meet the Passive House Standard. Energy efficiency is the key to reducing green house gas admissions and preserving our natural resources.
To make a substantial difference in energy consumption we need to leap frog beyond our current codes and standards to create a culture where energy conservation is engrained. Green initiatives such as LEED need to be more focused on measurable energy efficiency of buildings. A primary goal of the Passive House is to create not only energy efficient buildings but to create them at an affordable level. Architecturally Passive houses can take many esthetic directions and work in all climates. It is my goal to incorporate the concepts and principals of Passive House into as many of our new projects as possible."
Looking forward to incorporating his new found knowledge into our homes!
