tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729294119994268615.post2568286154033504846..comments2023-10-23T12:27:16.581-07:00Comments on 100 Days Without Oil: DAY 35_PASSIVE HOUSE IN THE WOODSMolly Eagenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07286606872067589849noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729294119994268615.post-66613139078695381252010-09-28T15:49:33.552-07:002010-09-28T15:49:33.552-07:00Expanded polystyrene is 98% air... so, there is re...Expanded polystyrene is 98% air... so, there is really not a lot of oil in it. It would be great to see some alternative material used though.<br /><br />Also, thermal mass and passive solar is not really well suited for your climate. The heat gained to "fuel" the Trombe wall (or floor) is equal to or less than the heat that will be lost from the interior through the windows, as the thermal gradient is so large in MN winters. <br /><br />Passive (capital P) House was developed in Northern Germany, a very similar climate to MN.<br /><br />passive (little p) solar is really best suited for climates with large temperature swings between night and day, such as the Southwest U.S.Vandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07190914835663208223noreply@blogger.com