Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
interesting house (Original Post) llashram Jan 2023 OP
Insulation is key, but they also have a small heat pump--something I'd like to look into... hlthe2b Jan 2023 #1
what about cooling? dembotoz Jan 2023 #2
Have had heat pump forever -- it heats and cools, that's the difference from a furnace Lettuce Be Jan 2023 #3
My friends in Maine Delarage Aug 2023 #4
my house is two story passive solar womanofthehills Aug 2023 #5

Lettuce Be

(2,336 posts)
3. Have had heat pump forever -- it heats and cools, that's the difference from a furnace
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 05:25 PM
Jan 2023

A furnace only heats. A heat pump is basically like a furnace plus air conditioning. Can't imagine getting along without one now that it gets hot (we had 117° here a couple of years back).

Curious if they also have solar -- don't see panels on the roof.

Delarage

(2,186 posts)
4. My friends in Maine
Thu Aug 3, 2023, 08:02 PM
Aug 2023

Did not care about any of this, unfortunately. Some of us tried to talk them into getting solar panels, properly orienting the house, etc. They were more concerned with getting a hot tub, etc. If I get a house built, it's going to be built passive-style. Such a no-brainer--but people are short-sighted.

I've been watching a guy named Matt Risinger's "Build Show" on Youtube. He builds houses like this and has great reviews of energy-saving equipment.

[link:

|

womanofthehills

(8,661 posts)
5. my house is two story passive solar
Thu Aug 3, 2023, 09:37 PM
Aug 2023

South side is just about all windows. I'm in NM with tons of sun so winter in my house without heat can be over 80 degrees - sometimes so warm I open the windows.

My honey used to build houses so he and I built my house over 5 yrs. His house also has all south windows with 50 gallon drums 3 high in windows so temp is always perfect. I originally had one row of drums but wanted the view.

My bathroom has 3 large south facing windows and I have four clear drums with blue dye in the windows to heat in winter.

I also have roof solar pannels connected to grid.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Frugal and Energy Efficient Living»interesting house