Heard him speak several times.
Passive solar houses work well in DRY high elevation locations. Like CO, Alpine TX (5000+ feet AMSL) and other locations.
Many locations have a humidity problem. Does nothing to super insulate your house - when you have to run the a/c to get the humidity inside out.
there was a builder in TX of ‘net zero energy houses’ and I followed him. Looked at doing that. Unfortunately, a ‘net zero house’ cost about 35 to 40% more than a conventional house. Yes, it would save you $100 or $200 a month on utilities (at that time 20 year ago) but with 20 year payback. Heck, most folks stay in their houses less than 10 years, often 5 or less. You’d have a hard time selling at a 35% premium to the market.
Yes, you can design for super insulation. They do in Sweden with triple pane windows, super closing insulated doors that ratchet all the way closed, thicker walls, etc.
Even here, I could put in triple pane windows. Could have built my house with 2x6s instead of 2x4 outside walls. But the payback was 10+ years and few people are willing to pay for ‘super insulation’ over granite counters and tile floors and an extra bedroom
Now, as housing prices increase, as the cost of a super insulated house increases - it’s going to be tough to sell the ‘super insulation’ bit with 10-20 year payback. Or have a contract by third parties that obligates any future house purchaser to continue paying for the upgrades.
As for heat pumps. I had one in VA in the 70s. Crapped out after 5 years and cost me a bundle to fix. Nixed all ‘energy savings’ with that repair. Same in a second townhouse with heat pump. Died after 5 years and expensive repair bill. Maybe they are better, but typical a/c compressors die after less than 10 years - and they run half a year. run them all year as heat/ cool and you probably get 5 years out of one, and its $$$$$ to replace them.
Folks have tried to ‘fix’ the stick built house. Hasn’t worked. Yeah, you get your roof framing now done off site and delivered, but the majority of the house still done by hand. Foundation, walls, inside, etc.
You can build a house with SIPs (structural insulated panels) with high energy efficiency - but at a cost premium. Few do.
People like their big windows - energy hogs. Better windows now that 30 years ago. Retrofitting them can be tens of thousands. slow payback.
There are millions of poorly (or no insulation) homes that can benefit from a few thousand dollar upgrades. (wall insulation) but even there there are problems to be carefully considered - like old wiring in century old houses - maybe tube and knob - requiring an electrical rewire to put insulation in the walls. ( yeah, I’ve seen houses with tube and knob wiring).
New houses are much better than before but could be better. But at some cost premium. Just how MUCH additional are folks willing to spend? (would you rather have premium cabinets, granite counter tops, extra tile floors or wood floors, a SubZero fridge, fifth bedroom) or somewhat lower utility bills?
t.
