An Article in USA about Passive Solar Houses

[Arrowwind]

todays issue of USA has an article on Passive Solar Houses from Germany that use up to 90 percent less energy.
Construction cost is about 8% higher than regular construction
They use triple pane glass and 12 inch thich walls and ceilings.
Everthing is constructed very tight and well insulated
A box shape is essential for best function and construction cost
There are only a few in the USA at this time with
12 more under construction in the US that are certified passive

The certification process cost about 1000 dollars --- what a rip!

of course energy saving will be relative to climate and many factors
Payback for investment is 7 or 8 years as opposed to 30 with solar panels

We are building a modified version... we couldnt get triple pane glass
and we put in a few extra windows due to our spectacular views

[panopticon]

G'day Arrowwind,

Sounds interesting. Do you have an online link to the article?

Kind Regards,
Panopticon

[Carmen]

You have a wonderful passive solar system in the US called the PAHS system (Passive Annual Heat Storage). Its the best one I've come across.

[Connecting with Sauce]

These are worth a watch to get up to speed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prx6rJPZFIE&feature=plcp&context=C4e19d9aVDvjVQa1PpcFOcwmQMmtGL8_sxk96j-Jha0Gc1QbRV6fA%3D

[Bo Atkinson]

I was beginning to feel that old-fashioned-free-energy was passé here on Avalon.
It was reassuring to see that at least Carmen is aware of 'PAHS'...
My nephew lists some interesting perspectives on the earlier-similarities through history:
http://fugadeideas.org/paccs/
PAHS has inspired lower cost approaches to the idea of annualizing heat or coolness both.
I got into this decades after my wife planted too many shrubs and trees next to house.
Preventing an effort to upgrade, (by uprooting shrubs, etc.).
But finally did build-test a small greenhouse which actually did produce through winter.
Uninsulated green house near to it just suspended growth through cold season.
http://harmoniouspalette.com/EyelidGreenhouse/EyelidGreenhouse.html
I spent a while cobbling together a Free-HVAC concept:
http://harmoniouspalette.com/CostFreeHVAC/RealyInsulatedLot/RealyInsulatedOpen.jpg
http://harmoniouspalette.com/CostFreeHVAC/RealyInsulatedLot/SelfSufficientHVAC.html