When is being passive right for the environment? When it's a "passive house."
A passive house maximizes energy gain and minimizes energy loss by utilizing solar energy, superior insulation and airtight seals in a cost-effective manner, ensuring comfort and low energy consumption.
The first and only Canadian passive house is the Austria House located in Whistler, and locals can learn all about the progressive approach to architecture, and how to drastically slash their energy costs, during a free lunch hour lecture on Friday (Oct. 16).
The Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) is hosting the hour-long presentation from noon to 1 p.m. at the Squamish Arts Council building on Cleveland Avenue with guest speaker Dr. Guido Wimmers of Equilibrium Consulting Inc.
The public presentation entitled Passivhaus: Building Affordably for Very Low Energy Consumption will explore the design and construction concepts behind approximately 19,000 eco-friendly "passive" homes in Europe which do not require heating or cooling systems.
"Obviously in Squamish we are going through a lot of development," said Ana Santos, Squamish CAN co-ordinator. "The builders and designers are here, so we should take advantage of them. And it is likely we could incorporate these features here as well."
Not only could local passive homes start springing up in town but Eric Andersen of the Energy and Green Building Group of Squamish - CAN explained that Squamish is also a candidate site for a new joint manufacturing venture with a few of the companies that produce components for the eco-friendly, green buildings.
"Squamish CAN is not only interested to promote the higher standards of efficiency but we think we can export solutions too," Andersen said.
If Squamish were selected as a manufacturing site, the potential economic gain for the community could be significant.
"Squamish needs local jobs and the production of advanced wood housing systems is an excellent opportunity for local jobs," Andersen noted.
After the lunch hour presentation, anyone interested in visiting a passive house is invited to visit the Austria House building site in Whistler. Wimmers will be giving informative guided tours around the site from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Carpooling to the site is suggested.
The Passivhaus lecture is just one of a series of presentations Squamish CAN will be hosting through the remainder of the fall and the winter of 2010. For more information on upcoming series lectures, presentations or discussions, visit www.squamishcan.net.
For more information on the Passivhaus lecture or driving directions to the Austria House building site call 604-892-3341 or email [email protected].
