What is a passive house? And why should you care?

Presenting the world's first HD show dedicated to discussing the latest in Home Energy Efficiency.  It's always best to learn from the experts.

This episode: Learn about the passive house standard and how a home qualifies to become a passive house.

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Show Hosts: Peter Waring and Andy Fessel, owners of Energy-Able, a full-service Green Building & Energy Consulting firm based in Marin County but active throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Peter Waring has been finding environmentally friendly ways to integrate math, science, and social psychology with the design, construction, and remodeling of buildings since the 1970’s. As a plumbing contractor in the Bay area, his company designed and installed solar water heating and gray water irrigation systems as well as promoting water saving fixtures. In Connecticut, he orchestrated the creation of an environmentally friendly residential subdivision. His path as an educator has led him to organize on-the-job training programs, develop math/science curriculum based on the East Bay watershed, present green energy retrofits to remodeling contractors, and offer classes to homeowners to create healthier homes and lower utility bills.

Andy Fessel is LEED AP+, NABCEP certified and has taken classess in energy efficiency and renewable eenrgy at UC Berkeley and PG&E's Pacific Energy Center.

Guests:

James Bill of Zero Impact Architecture, a sustainable architecture firm.  LEED Accredited Professional (AP), a Certified Green Building Professional through Build It Green, an invited founding member of the Northern California Collaborative of the Thousand Home Challenge, a national program to develop deep energy reductions across the country and piloted here in Northern California, and a founding member of the Northern California Passive House group. James spoke at West Coast Green in 2007.

Kevin Beck of Building Performance Services - A Bay Area Consulting Firm, helping architects, Builders, and Homeowners build comfortable, healthy, energy efficient homes. Kevin tests homes for energy leaks and inefficiencies and recommends changes to make homes more energy efficient.  Kevin is a Certified Green Building Professional (CGBP), Certified BPI Building Analyst, Shell and Heating Expert, a NARI Certified Remodeler (CR) and Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR), a Certified Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE), a HERS Rater, and GreenPoint and LEED rater.  He also helps train future Home Performance Contractors for the CBPCA, BPI, and PG&E.