Comments on: Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR, Our First Design Project

By: Chris Laumer-Giddens

Chris Laumer-Giddens — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:39:17 +0000

Thanks John!
Thanks John!
I’ve written an article in response to your questions. Check it out…
http://tinyurl.com/25ssvh5

By: John Schultz (Uncle John)

John Schultz (Uncle John) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:35:17 +0000
The article was, indeed,
The article was, indeed, impressive. I'm still looking for the answer to the question, "Can these modern, energy efficiency-focused, design techniques be applied to traditional architectural styles (e.g., Victorian or Craftsman)without compromising that classic look?

By: Your Mother

Your Mother — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:41:20 +0000
Very impressive, Son! I
Very impressive, Son! I think I will learn much while reading your blogs, while enjoying seeing your work. By the way, very well written. Nice work!

By: Cristy Smith

Cristy Smith — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:14:16 +0000
Chris - you did a beautiful
Chris - you did a beautiful job with this article and the way you described your plan was very easy to understand, even for someone with very little knowledge of house building/architecture/"Green" homes (like me!!). Congratulations on a great article - I can't wait to see more.

Cristy

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 05:17:37 +0000
Great article. Great title
Great article. Great title that made me want to read the article. I love how accessible and practical the advice was...and the realistic and personal element of doing the design for Uncle John and Ann. The illustrations are beautiful.

By: Chris Laumer-Giddens

Chris Laumer-Giddens — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:46:13 +0000
Jennifer,

Jennifer,
Glad you liked the article! Stay tuned for follow up postings asthe design progresses.

Jamie,
It's so true about how important and simple it is to incorporate things like proper sealing at key points, quality installation of ductwork and insulation, and designing a right-sized system that make such a big difference without breaking the bank!
Thanks for your comment!

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:39:19 +0000
Jane, the
Jane, the house I built has a composting toilet. We went with the Phoenix from Advanced Composting Systems, although the Clivus Multrum is probably the best known brand in composting toilets.

Yes, they can be installed in existing homes, too, but it's likely to be more expensive because of the extra work involved in retrofitting it into the existing structure. One recommendation I'd make is to stay away from the small ones that collect the waste in a tray that sits on the floor in the bathroom with the toilet. The models with big tanks that go in the basement or under the house are much better.

By: Jamie Kaye

Jamie Kaye — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:58:55 +0000
Definitely well written. &
Definitely well written.

I like that you state so clearly that is pretty much the same thing as building any regular house. By using the "house-as-a-system" approach from the beginning, you can receive all of those desirable results without those extra costs.

I wish the 5 step plan for solar would go VIRAL. We need to not get the cart before the horse, which I see a lot of people doing.

Thanks for the blog today Chris!!

By: Jane Quernheim

Jane Quernheim — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:07:16 +0000
I was unaware that there was
I was unaware that there was such a thing as a composting toilet. Can that be put into an existing house, or is that something that can only go into new construction? Thanks for posting this. I look forward to updates

By: Jennifer DeToy, almost McClelland :)

Jennifer DeToy, almost McClelland :) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:31:39 +0000
Wow, Chris! Very informative
Wow, Chris! Very informative and well written. Thanks!