GreenBuildingAdvisor.com's Green Architects' Lounge

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement.

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You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement.

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You've probably heard about 'Passive HouseA residential building construction standard requiring very low levels of air leakage, very high levels of insulation, and windows with a very low U-factor. Developed in the early 1990s by Bo Adamson and Wolfgang Feist, the standard is now promoted by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. To meet the standard, a home must have an infiltration rate no greater than 0.60 AC/H @ 50 pascals, a maximum annual heating energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (4,755 Btu per square foot), a maximum annual cooling energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (1.39 kWh per square foot), and maximum source energy use for all purposes of 120 kWh per square meter (11.1 kWh per square foot). The standard recommends, but does not require, a maximum design heating load of 10 W per square meter and windows with a maximum U-factor of 0.14. The Passivhaus standard was developed for buildings in central and northern Europe; efforts are underway to clarify the best techniques to achieve the standard for buildings in hot climates.' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement.

read more

In the final part of this episode we talk about the cost of some of these home energy monitoring systems, and what the future holds for this budding industry. Phil share Hot Zigg! (a good idea) (or so he thinks) Then he takes us out with Rococ by Arcade Fire.

In this part of the episode, Chris, Phil, and Peter discuss the different types of home energy monitoring systems and what you should expect from each.

Peter Troast of Energy Circle stops by to share a drink with Phil and Chris and share his knowledge on Home Energy Monitoring Systems. In Part 1, Chris shares a 'Pomini' cocktail recipe and Peter explains what energy monitoring is, and why you'd install such a system.

I sent an email out to Jeff Gagnon and Jim Godbout and asked them five basic questions about ground source heat pumpHeating and cooling system in which specialized refrigerant fluid in a sealed system is alternately evaporated and condensed, changing its state from liquid to vapor by altering its pressure; this phase change allows heat to be transferred into or out of the house. See air-source heat pump and ground-source heat pump. installations. In this part of the Green Architects' Lounge episode, Phil and I take some time to review and compare their answers. We also touch on the subject of ozone depleting refrigerants. Then, Phil shares a song by the Brooklyn band 'Here We Go Magic' called collectors.