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Very impressive article about a woman who wanted to design and live in an "actively passive" home with the prime goal of remaining comfortable during all seasons -- without central heat, venting, or air conditioning.
Neat. House looks super cozy. But I like it to be more clear how much heat it used. How much did they save in heating costs? How well would this work for a stretch of colder winter weather (say, a week of lows at 0 or below zero)?
I had assumed winter would be more of a problem than summer. But Texas sounds impressively hot. I don't have A/C, and my bedroom temperature only broke 85°F a couple of times in the middle of the day. Below 80°F on all but one or two of the hottest nights, and usually closer to the mid-70s on the hotter summer nights.
That was a amazing article, thanks so much for posting! The summer really sounded horrible though. I think at that point, I would have given in and bought a window unit. But I'm a wuss. I really admire these kind of folks.
It's that hot in my house sometimes, as it is in most homes on the planet.
We sleep in the coolest locations or siesta.
I've done what I can to check convection in my house and have a system of operative windows that draws the most cool air in summertime. Interestingly, the oldest part of my house ventilates like a snap, it's the newer sections that heat up like a box.
I also enjoy hot temperatures *shrug* I just feel happier and more vitalized when it's hot. Fragrant summer nights with deafening insect choruses, the slightest breeze moving across the room...
I love their little place! Thanks OP
Last edited by SusqueHappy; 10-24-2011 at 10:09 AM..
It's that hot in my house sometimes, as it is in most homes on the planet.
I love their little place! Thanks OP
I'm glad some of you enjoyed the article. It sure gave me some more ideas to add to my "dream house" list! (That open hearth...)
Having lived in an area all my life where the residents grow moss between their toes and squint uncomprehendingly on the few occasions each year the sun comes out from behind the ever-present rain clouds, I can't imagine 95 degrees as a usual summertime temperature. Acclimatization is a wonderful thing!
95 degree temps in Chicago cause the death toll to rise. Acclimatization only works for some folks. It doesn't work for the sick, elderly, or those on some medications. Could I find something I liked? Possibly. That wasn't my point. My point is that some people can stack manure, call it sculpture and get people to agree and coo over it without reservation. My point is that in this day and age, a rental house that gets 95 inside will quite likely result in the local municipality coming down on the landlord like a ton of bricks. My point is that not everything is roses and perfume in the passive energy world, and using an AC is not a sin against the Lord and the planet. My point is that some people get so enamored with their project that they lose the greater perspective. BTDT.
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The summer really sounded horrible though. 
I think at that point, I would have given in and bought a window unit. But I'm a wuss. I really admire these kind of folks.
)
