[GSBN] Embodied/embedded energy figures

[Andy Horn]

Way I look at it is.. what kind of world do we want to live in? ..relying on
high tech mechanical ventilation such that we have ACTIVE BUILDINGS AND
PASSIVE PEOPLE .or can we get up and open a window or door etc when it gets
too stuffy..SO WE CAN HAVE A PASSIVE HOUSE WITH ACTIVE PEOPLE..but then up
until now I have had the luxury of working in a far less of a colder
environment that those of you in Canada, UK etc. 

 

 

cheers

Andy

 

 



 

  _____  

From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of Derek Roff
Sent: 20 October 2011 10:29 PM
To: Global Straw Building Network
Subject: Re: [GSBN] Embodied/embedded energy figures

 

I think picketing Passiv Haus in Darmstadt is a great idea.  Maybe we could
link it to the Occupy [Strawbale] Wall Street protests that are going on in
the US.  

 



I think it is very hard to justify a dependence on mechanical ventilation to
get fresh air into buildings.

 

I'd like to suggest that it is very difficult to justify every system,
choice, and alternative for getting fresh air into buildings.  Or, to put it
another way, proper ventilation is a critical issue in buildings, and there
are no easy answers.  I'm not in love with mechanical ventilation systems,
but I also see a serious problems with most systems in most modern buildings
of every size and scale.  Tight buildings usually have some level of
problems with indoor air quality, and frequently with moisture.  Part of
that comes from materials choices, and a lot comes from ineffective
ventilation.  Passive ventilation systems that effectively bring the needed
amount of fresh air to all the rooms in a house are challenging to design
and implement.  Ignoring the seriousness and challenge of potential
ventilation problems usually causes serious problems to manifest in the
house sooner and later.  Creating a ventilation system that supports indoor
air quality, conserves energy, and prevents moisture problems in the walls
is a critical part of design and construction, and one that is seldom
successfully met in either conventional construction or natural building.  

 

Derelict

 

On Oct 18, 2011, at 11:58 PM, Tom Woolley wrote:

 

Dear Derek and everyone

 

As I see it Passiv Haus presents one of the biggest challenges to the
Natural Building movement for many years 

In the Uk , the AECB (http://www.aecb.net <http://www.aecb.net/> )  used to
be a good advocate for low impact building but now it has sold its soul to
Passiv Haus and seems to have reverted to the "Only energy in use argument"

There are of course a number of passiv haus projects that have used low
embodied energy materials ( particularly in Austria) but most do not 

I have challenged the leading figures of the Passiv Haus movement face to
face to justify why they exclude considerations of embodied energy but their
answer is to say that you can meet their standards with natural materials.
So why not advocate the use of natural materials then?

Many of the Passiv haus approved windows are made from uPVC

 

I think it is very hard to justify a dependence on mechanical ventilation to
get fresh air into buildings.

The achilles heel of MVHR systems is changing the filters

 

Fundamentally passiv haus presents a philosophy that buildings can only be
low energy if they use expensive high tech equipment

In the UK and Ireland a passiv haus costs between 50 and 100% more than a
conventional low energy house

 

Personally I prefer the Walter Segal philosophy of putting on another jumper
rather than sealing myself up with a lot of plastic and toxic materials.

 

I will be in Darmstadt in November and am considering mounting a picket of
the Passiv Haus HQ  for an hour or two

Anyone want to join me??

 

Tom

 


Derek Roff

derek at unm.edu

 





 

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