The Flatt House renovation is progressing nicely. Kathy is skinning the exterior of the 100 year old building to increase the R value of the walls to 50 and the roof to 100. All windows are being replaced with triple glazed energy efficient ones. The three new openings on the top floor are positioned with southern exposure and will become the ‘solar furnace’ for the house. Combining these elements with a sophisticated air circulation system will create a building that does not need a furnace in the winter. This style of construction is called Passive House. Passive house retrofits are rare in Canada. Kathy is an engineer who has trained in both Germany and Chicago with Passive House International. If the house passes muster she will earn her Passive House Consultant certification, and the unique concepts of this retrofit will be adopted by others. Of course Kathy gives tours (kathygarneau AT gmail.com).
3 Comments
Huh? Kathy? *Our* Kathy is an engineer? When did that happen? That’s awesome! Good for her! And I’m jealous of the cool high-tech-ness of (presumably) your (pl.) house. Very cool. It’s the sort of thing I’d love to do – if we didn’t own a condo.
Kathy has always been an engineer. Chemical engineering then film making.
Is this kind of renovation super expensive in and of itself? Are the big savings what you’ll reap once you no longer have massive winter heating bills? Way to go Kathy.