[Greenbuilding] Aggressively Passive: Building Homes to thePassive House Standard

[Larry Brydon]

Hi Guys

Look at ecohomes, predecesor to the UK code for sustainable housing, it had a credit for making a room "office ready" - primarily smart wiring technologies but no different than "solar ready" - starts the discussion...

Larry Brydon
Reliance Home Comfort
416 704 0749
Lbrydon at reliancecomfort.com

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org <greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org>
To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Wed Jan 12 20:28:42 2011
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Aggressively Passive: Building Homes to thePassive House Standard

I think it should be obvious that the IDEA of not penalized, in fact, encouraging, stay at home work arrangements, even if it is easy to forget this in a detailed discussion.
The issue of transportation is really what this is about.
However, in housing standards like PH, Energy Star, LEED R2000, etc. it is really tough to come up with workable rules.  We should try though.
For example, there should be exemptions to make it easier for homes built or converted near high density urban centers (although rural folks will scream).
It is also not clear that adding a den to home will result in fewer commutes, although it does make it possible to conveniently working at home.

On 2011-01-12, at 6:04 PM, Gordon Scale wrote:

		
	
	 From an overall energy perspective, can we not take this opportunity to help 
	turn this around.  Somehow I believe new standards of measurement should 
	try to foster benefits to those considering housing with home based businesses 
	of substance.  The resulting energy benefits in transportation energy are 
	considerable, especially if married with compact urban form.  

	I see no reason to penalize a somewhat larger than average home - if it includes 
	a reasonably sized retail, professional or service use.  Food for thought when 
	striving for practical energy standards for new housing and infill/renovations. 
	
	

Dr John Straube, P.Eng.
Associate Professor
University of Waterloo
Dept of Civil Eng. & School of Architecture
www.buildingscience.com

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