As we saw during the past week, our furnaces are sometimes put to the test and we see it on our energy bills. It’s just like that old saying, “Furnaces, can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.” What if that wasn’t entirely true? It seems improbable that you could live through a bitter Illinois winter without a furnace or electric space heater and maintain any level of comfort. However, a developing trend in Germany is to build residences without a furnace that meet the German Passive House Standard.
The Smith House (pictured above), located in Urbana, IL is an all electric house designed without the need of a furnace. Architect and owner, Katrin Klingenberg describes the house as a “simple shed-roofed house insulated on all six sides to at least R-56.” An R-value is an insulation rating. The higher the value, the better the seal. In Illinois, Energy Star suggests an R-value of 38.
In the 1970’s, many US homes were built with an ultra-tight seal, but they failed because of an increase in stagnant air and mold. The new Passive home uses a Heat Recovery System (HRV or ERV). The warm air going out passes side by side with clean, cold air coming in, exchanging heat with 90 percent efficiency.
Building costs are slightly higher (like 10%), but the construction design of the home is a traditional ballon frame. Prices in the United States will come down as more contractors and designers become accustomed to the Passive House building standards. Klingenberg believes that the premium would be covered in 10 years with lower energy costs. She says that in January 2007, “the electric bill totaled only $35 despite the fact that the month included two weeks of -10 degree cloudy weather.”
Via Greenline Blog
The Smith House (pictured above), located in Urbana, IL is an all electric house designed without the need of a furnace. Architect and owner, Katrin Klingenberg describes the house as a “simple shed-roofed house insulated on all six sides to at least R-56.” An R-value is an insulation rating. The higher the value, the better the seal. In Illinois, Energy Star suggests an R-value of 38.
In the 1970’s, many US homes were built with an ultra-tight seal, but they failed because of an increase in stagnant air and mold. The new Passive home uses a Heat Recovery System (HRV or ERV). The warm air going out passes side by side with clean, cold air coming in, exchanging heat with 90 percent efficiency.
Building costs are slightly higher (like 10%), but the construction design of the home is a traditional ballon frame. Prices in the United States will come down as more contractors and designers become accustomed to the Passive House building standards. Klingenberg believes that the premium would be covered in 10 years with lower energy costs. She says that in January 2007, “the electric bill totaled only $35 despite the fact that the month included two weeks of -10 degree cloudy weather.”
Via Greenline Blog
1 comment:
Awesome!
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