With any house, there are so many variables that influence the decision to choose one particular mechanical system over another; climate, home size, cost, local availability and cost of fuels and materials, and the life style and preferences of the occupants. There is no "one-size-fits-all" system that one can reliably prescribe to all projects. So Chris and Phil sat down over a good winter cocktail to share their views, anecdotes, battle scars, and wisdom on this important subject.

Enter the Dollar! Now it's time to start figuring out just how much these solar sytems will cost. Moreover, we'll find out how to calculate your return on your investment. Then Phil takes us out with a great song called Earl Jean by Beachwood Sparks. Enjoy.

The thing about photovoltaic(PV) Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow. solar (or PVPhotovoltaics. Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic (PV) cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow.) is that in order to understand if it is appropriate for the project you're working on, you really have to understand the metrics and basics of solar systems. Chris and Phil sat down, turned on the mic, and did their best to convey the basic concepts and rules of thumb that most green professionals should know. This will of course be laying the ground work for part two, where we cover the financial implications of solar PV.

Chris and Phil have a nice chat with energy auditing guru, Allison Bailes, As a Green Building Advisor and the man behind the Energy Vanguard, Allison knows his stuff. Together they discuss the new Energy StarLabeling system sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy for labeling the most energy-efficient products on the market; applies to a wide range of products, from computers and office equipment to refrigerators and air conditioners. 3, integrating mechanical design into a residential project, FROGS, and naked people. So grab a cup of joe (or make a Moscow Mule if you're off-duty) and enjoy.

The Lounge welcomes John Straube for a drink and chat about the latest news in Building Science. The drink ends up being of the caffeinated variety (due to the early temporal placement of the recording within the day) and the conversation covers many topics such as his new book and what commercial buildings should strive for, where green building and building science overlap, and why architects are so awesome. Join us.

Some see the glass as half full, others see it as half empty. Jim tells you what the %$#@! is in the glass, how it got there, and what SHOULD be in the glass instead. Join Chris and Phil as they interview author, and social commentator, James Howard Kunstler. Jim delivers his commentary on the built environment in a refreshing, unique, and blunt manner. Cheers.

It's one thing to design a house, and it's another entirely to turn that design into a physical reality. In this episode, Chris and Phil kick back with an autumn cocktail and talk about the process of bringing on a builder and the challenges of keeping control, quality, cost, and expectations managed along the way.

It's one thing to design a house, and it's another entirely to turn that design into a physical reality. In this episode, Chris and Phil kick back with an autumn cocktail and talk about the process of bringing on a builder and the challenges of keeping control, quality, cost, and expectations managed along the way.

Sprout Follies read more

You know him, you love him, (or at least his articles) it's Martin Holladay. He was in the neighborhood, so he stopped by to chat with Chris and Phil for this episode of the Green Architects' Lounge. This is your chance to get to know the man behind some of your favorite articles. Hear how he spent his youth abroad and how it has shaped his current views on green building. Listen, as he share his insight on the future of green building. And, find out what he says when he's told his house has just burned down and he's been given a whopping $500K to rebuild it. read more

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

You've probably heard about 'Passive HouseA residential building construction standard requiring very low levels of air leakage, very high levels of insulation, and windows with a very low U-factor. Developed in the early 1990s by Bo Adamson and Wolfgang Feist, the standard is now promoted by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. To meet the standard, a home must have an infiltration rate no greater than 0.60 AC/H @ 50 pascals, a maximum annual heating energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (4,755 Btu per square foot), a maximum annual cooling energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (1.39 kWh per square foot), and maximum source energy use for all purposes of 120 kWh per square meter (11.1 kWh per square foot). The standard recommends, but does not require, a maximum design heating load of 10 W per square meter and windows with a maximum U-factor of 0.14. The Passivhaus standard was developed for buildings in central and northern Europe; efforts are underway to clarify the best techniques to achieve the standard for buildings in hot climates.' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

In the final part of this episode we talk about the cost of some of these home energy monitoring systems, and what the future holds for this budding industry. Phil share Hot Zigg! (a good idea) (or so he thinks) Then he takes us out with Rococ by Arcade Fire.

In this part of the episode, Chris, Phil, and Peter discuss the different types of home energy monitoring systems and what you should expect from each.

Peter Troast of Energy Circle stops by to share a drink with Phil and Chris and share his knowledge on Home Energy Monitoring Systems. In Part 1, Chris shares a 'Pomini' cocktail recipe and Peter explains what energy monitoring is, and why you'd install such a system.

I sent an email out to Jeff Gagnon and Jim Godbout and asked them five basic questions about ground source heat pumpHeating and cooling system in which specialized refrigerant fluid in a sealed system is alternately evaporated and condensed, changing its state from liquid to vapor by altering its pressure; this phase change allows heat to be transferred into or out of the house. See air-source heat pump and ground-source heat pump. installations. In this part of the Green Architects' Lounge episode, Phil and I take some time to review and compare their answers. We also touch on the subject of ozone depleting refrigerants. Then, Phil shares a song by the Brooklyn band 'Here We Go Magic' called collectors.