by mightyhouse | Mar, 2019 | Green Building
The 20 by 2020 Challenge is a local campaign to promote the development of 20 Passive House or net zero energy projects of 20,000 square feet or larger in King County by the year 2020 next year! The good news is that Zero Net Carbon buildings can make economic sense today. Passive House construction is a cost-effective means to revolutionize building energy performance, particularly for larger buildings. Many of the pioneering Passive House buildings in the US have been affordable housing projects. By establishing an ambitious energy target and using science-based design and modeling, Passive House buildings reduce energy consumption by as much as 75%. Couple this with rooftop solar or a contract for green power, and you’ve got a Zero Net Carbon building.
The 20 by 2020 Building Challenge will provide “proof of concept” that Passive House can propel our shift to a carbon-sustainable future. Passive House is the world’s leading standard for energy efficient construction. It combines building enclosure efficiency and passive solar strategies in a system for designing and building cost effective, comfortable, energy efficient buildings.
The major components of a Passive House include:
- Super-insulated envelope
- Ultra-high-performance windows
- Airtight construction (0.6 air changes / hr at 50 Pascals)
- Eliminating or reducing thermal bridging
- Heat-recovery ventilation
- Using passive heat sources (solar of course, but also equipment, lighting, and occupants).
Learn more here!
by Mighty House Construction | Aug, 2017 | Events - Workshops, Living
Seattle will experience a 90% solar eclipse. Are you planning to view it? Be safe! Check out this guide from NASA on how to do so without damaging your eyes. And remember, that the eclipse is only safe to look at when the moon is totally blocking the sun or if you are wearing certified solar glasses. You can pick up a pair from your local library branch! More info here.
by Mighty House Construction | Aug, 2017 | Green Building, Living
Is it Sunset for Solar Incentives?
The solar industry has relied heavily on government rebates and incentive programs to put the costs of purchasing and installing a system within reach for many homeowners. However, federal incentives are set to start declining in 2019. Initially Washington State programs were scheduled to follow suit in 2020, but now many solar companies are breathing a sigh of relief that the state legislature recently passed a bill extending those incentives through the year 2030. Hopefully, this extension will allow customers and businesses to “wean off” the incentives instead of having to jump off a cliff just three years from now! Read more from The Seattle Times.
Solar Roof Tiles now Available from Tesla
Tesla is no longer only in the business of electric cars. Their recently released solar roof tiles provide homeowners with the ability to create an all around carbon reduction in their home. While these solar tiles are expensive, the overall cost of a solar roof will likely be less because of the significant energy savings over the lifetime of your roof. Additionally, Tesla is offering a guarantee that they will replace /repair any tiles for lifetime of your home or infinity (whichever comes first). Taking these factors into account means that a solar roof can cost as little as $21 per square foot. Check out the Solar Calculator here.
Support Solar with your Checking Account
Did you know that you can promote solar energy in Washington with your debit card? Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union is now offering a Green Rewards Checking account, which is free to sign up for, earns cash rewards for you, and helps fund their socially responsible banking actions! This year, the credit union will be donating to Puget Sound Solar. More info here.
