Passive Houses

I am keen on trying to meet the passive house building standard, but I'm not willing to hire a consultant. We likely won't succeed but the result will be what commonly known as a 'super insulated house'.

For those who don't know, passive house sets a maximum electricity consumption standard. There are a number of arguable conditions but the overall objective is noble and there are a lot of resources to help achieve this. The main concept is lots of insullation and to have an airtight house, with an active air transfer mechanism. Effectively living in a bubble with a mechanical device that changs the air every 3 hours or so. As the stale air is replaced it exchanges heat with the incomming air to help keep the heat in.

When I first heard this I found it a radically simple concept. I like simple and so I'm on board.

I also picked up a lot of information from some friends and while there are many people bloggin about how important it is to have an efficient house, there are very few people blogging about the details of an efficient house. Details you can use to make decisions. A friend turned me onto Musings of an Energy Nerd, and I am hooked. I highly recommend it.