Rethinking Home Energy Efficiency (NAPSA)—While millions of homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their household costs, others are finding that the best way may be to start with a home that’s more cost efficient using the forward-thinking Multi-Comfort ‘ i : * s . t Pm-. aie | ‘“< b .: ~ ba MOD Axx towed r RX. | ’ 0 i te. PN 4 Wg 060lURN i i A 7 — | i t: concept. Consider that energy usage for heating and cooling a home makes up a large percentage of utility bills. There are countless ways to cut back on energy usage—such as turning off the lights and installing energy-efficient appliances—but what if you could cut back by not using as much energy in thefirst place? Passive House Standards The main objective of a MultiComfort home using Passive House standards is to build residential and nonresidential buildings that do not rely on dedicated heating or cooling systems. Buildings and homescall for higher levels of insulation than conventional structures and are heated by pasSive means, such as solar radia- tion through the windowsand the heat produced by occupants and appliances. Using ultrathick insulation and energy-efficient doors and windows, the homeis encased in an airtight shell so that very little heat escapes and barely any cold seeps in. The result is a temperature standard between 68 and 73 degrees. When built to Passive House standards, energy savings of up to 75 percent can be achieved. Thermal Comfort In a Multi-Comfort home,jointless insulation with only a few thermal bridges and tight windows with outside shading keep the summer heat outside. Cooling is achieved using natural ventilation, while a small, adjustable Ep Proper insulation is the first step in creating an energy-efficient, Multi-Comfort home. cooling device ensures optimum temperatures. On cold days, the built-in ventilation system ensures that the used outgoing air warms up the fresh incoming air. The same insu- lation helps keep the warmth inside, so that a small candle—or even a person’s body warmth—can be an efficient heat source. OPTIMA fiberglass insulation from CertainTeed is a prime example of the type of insulation that can be used to meet Passive House stan- dards. Not only does it provide the highest R-value possible in sidewall applications, but it also maintains its thermal efficiency for the life of the home. “Passive House standards are the energy-efficient wave of the future,” says Katrin Klingenberg, executive director of the U.S. Passive House Institute. “There are tremendous benefits to homeowners, including cost savings and ereatly improvedair quality.” To learn more about MultiComfort homes, visit the Web site at www.certainteed.com. For more information regarding the U.S. Passive House Institute, visit www.passivehouse.us.
