Passivhaus Trumps Smart Technology Bolt-ons

Recent Guardian article Eco-friendly houses and cities are better without smart technology states maintaining happy energy efficient environments’ can be done sans smart meters, thermostats or electronic controls.

Many people think that going green means putting in more insulation and more solar panels on the roof, more smart building controls and more ground source heat pumps. The aim is that we can be happy with uniform temperatures like we always had and save the planet too, all by throwing more green gizmos into our houses and buildings…. Does this make us happy? Does it even make us comfortable? Lloyd Alter, Guardian Reporter. 

As the article states, comfort isn't just a function of temperature; it also is a function of air movement and humidity. Passivhaus homes don't have the need for a lot of green gizmos because emphasis is placed upon a reduction in energy consumption; High levels of insulation, high performance windows and building orientation is prioritised. The temperature doesn't change much inside; a smart thermostat would be bored stupid.

Comfortable energy efficient environments that work without the need for 'smart technology' are not dumb, or stupid; It is simple design.

Read the full article here.

12th June 2014

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