Comments on: We can do a much better job constructing energy-efficient buildings http://dangerousintersection.org/2008/04/11/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-building-energy-efficient-buildings/ Human Animals at the Crossroads of Culture, Science, Religion and Media Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:14:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Erich Vieth http://dangerousintersection.org/2008/04/11/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-building-energy-efficient-buildings/#comment-17596 Erich Vieth Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:09:35 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/2008/04/11/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-building-energy-efficient-buildings/#comment-17596 Marlon: Big houses in the suburbs are like stationary SUV's. If they aren't careful, it will cost far more to use them than to buy them. For consumers to do the math, I would recommend that they assume the cost of gasoline to be $10/gal, which is what it will be in ten years. It wouldn't be so difficult to change the attitudes of prospective homeowners if the president of the U.S. would do some straight-shooting about the real life supply and inevitably skyrocketing price of oil when he stands up there on his bully pulpit. See http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/10/28/we%e2%80%99re-running-out-of-water-and-oil-yawn/ Marlon: Big houses in the suburbs are like stationary SUV’s. If they aren’t careful, it will cost far more to use them than to buy them. For consumers to do the math, I would recommend that they assume the cost of gasoline to be $10/gal, which is what it will be in ten years.

It wouldn’t be so difficult to change the attitudes of prospective homeowners if the president of the U.S. would do some straight-shooting about the real life supply and inevitably skyrocketing price of oil when he stands up there on his bully pulpit. See http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/10/28/we%e2%80%99re-running-out-of-water-and-oil-yawn/

]]> By: Marlon http://dangerousintersection.org/2008/04/11/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-building-energy-efficient-buildings/#comment-17573 Marlon Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:16:24 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/2008/04/11/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-building-energy-efficient-buildings/#comment-17573 Erich, My first real job when I got out of school in the early 70s was as a salesman for a tract builder of entry level to low mid level homes in the Houston 'burbs. We (sales, management, and owners) all realized that the way we were building homes was stupid. We talked about it all the time. Although we did start using double glazed windows and high efficiency A/Cs and appliances, prospective buyers' eyes would glaze over (sorry) when we pointed that out. They wanted island kitchens, big closets, and two sinks in the master bath. Drive (or better, ride your bike) through some newer suburbs today, and you will see that not much has changed in 35 years. A window is where it is because that is where it should be on a Tudor style house. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but these seem to be major issues for serious energy efficiency innovation in residential construction: -Spec builders are scared to be too different and maybe get stuck with a house that doesn't sell. -Buyers are hesitant to be too daring with such a major investment. -Buyers don't want to be the ones who live in that "weird looking" house. -Good construction tradesmen are hard enough to find today. Now we want them to use new and maybe unfamiliar materials and techniques. -Building codes tend to discourage innovation. -Financing of a house that is too unconventional can be problematic. Fortunately, energy awareness by consumers is at an all time high, and there are many talented and innovative architects out there (even more so in Europe, it seems). Home buyers are going to have to drive this change though by demanding it of the industry. Erich,

My first real job when I got out of school in the early 70s was as a salesman for a tract builder of entry level to low mid level homes in the Houston ‘burbs. We (sales, management, and owners) all realized that the way we were building homes was stupid. We talked about it all the time. Although we did start using double glazed windows and high efficiency A/Cs and appliances, prospective buyers’ eyes would glaze over (sorry) when we pointed that out. They wanted island kitchens, big closets, and two sinks in the master bath.

Drive (or better, ride your bike) through some newer suburbs today, and you will see that not much has changed in 35 years. A window is where it is because that is where it should be on a Tudor style house.

Sorry if I’m stating the obvious, but these seem to be major issues for serious energy efficiency innovation in residential construction:

-Spec builders are scared to be too different and maybe get stuck with a house that doesn’t sell.

-Buyers are hesitant to be too daring with such a major investment.

-Buyers don’t want to be the ones who live in that “weird looking” house.

-Good construction tradesmen are hard enough to find today. Now we want them to use new and maybe unfamiliar materials and techniques.

-Building codes tend to discourage innovation.

-Financing of a house that is too unconventional can be problematic.

Fortunately, energy awareness by consumers is at an all time high, and there are many talented and innovative architects out there (even more so in Europe, it seems). Home buyers are going to have to drive this change though by demanding it of the industry.

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