Re: [GBlist] Zero Energy House on Washington Mall (fwd)

["Mike Rogers" <rogers.mike@verizon.net>]

Hi Phil,

I can think right off of two big reasons why energy use (cost) could be
more, based on the time I've spent in the northern UK and across the Potomac
from Virginia.

First, the expectations of what homes do and what gadgets we keep in homes
in very different in the US and the UK.  Homes, especially new homes, tend
to be bigger in the U.S.  All things equal (which in fact aren't!), more
square footage would suggest more energy use.   The larger refrigerators,
TVs (multiple, of course), stereos, computers, and other equipment and
appliances also contribute.   There are other lifestyle issues which could
also impact home energy use.  (I'm not defending, only reporting.)

Second, the climate might also play a role.  Having lived in both Edinburgh
and Inverness, the winter climates did not seem any more harsh, and in fact
seemed more mild than winters in the DC area.  (And people in the UK also
seemed much more likely to throw on a warm sweater in the winter rather than
crank up the thermostat or throw a lump of coal on the fire--but this really
belongs in the paragraph above).  And the summers were definitely cooler in
the northern UK.  I don't remember a single residential air conditioner, nor
do I remember even needing a fan.  (HDD/CDD for various northern UK cities
anyone?)

$220 would be inexpensive for even the baseload energy (not heating and
cooling) use of a utility-serviced home in most parts of the US.  With
heating and cooling added, $220 would be very low, well into the 99th
percentile for low energy use (assuming energy supplied by a utility, and
not a wood stove or some other uncounted energy source).  Is the $220 figure
you gave for total energy use?

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: Constructive Individuals <constructive@cwcom.net>
To: <greenbuilding@crest.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 5:39 PM
Subject: RE: [GBlist] Zero Energy House on Washington Mall (fwd)

> "Don Bradley, President of Solar Strategies, Inc., a home builder for
> solar homes for nearly 15 years has partnered with manufactured housing
> companies to offer low-energy homes whose energy bills do not exceed $600
> per year.  This $100,000 two-story home will then be shipped to Virginia."
>
> ..HOW MUCH??!!
>
> We're doing low-cost low energy 3-bedroom houses in the northern UK with
> annual projected energy bills of less than ?150 (about $220 I think) and I
> can't imagine our energy prices are high in comparison... why are costs so
> high over there?
>
> Phil Bixby
> Constructive Individuals
> www.constructive.mcmail.com



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