The Lutz Passive House On Saturday October 19, 2013 we visited the The Lutz Passive House located 527 East Water St, Urbana OH. Mr. Lutz decided to purchase a home to remodel. Due to his vision of the future Mr. Lutz was able to remodel the house and reduce his energy usage by 90%.Mr. Lutz main goal was to decrease the use of fuel or heating and cooling while limiting the effect on air pollution pertaining to climate change. While his second objective was to learn the ins and outs of the home remodeling project, he could educate and motivate the community to reduce their usages and changing their lifestyle. Home was originally built in 1950; he bought the house in 2008 and began the renovation in 2009. This home was 550 square feet. House had all original electric, electric forced air furnace and electric hot water tank. All six sides of the home had additional insulation added. The crawl space had insulation added to the ceiling and to the floor to withhold moister that was being released from the ground. With the home completed it is a very much a well-functioning home. Some of the cost he invested was: • $15,000-Battery Supply • $38,000-Retro Fitting Home • $28,000-Solar Panel • $800- Heat Pump Air quality in the home year around is monitored by decreased cooking in home. Mr. Lutz grows, cans and cooks outside. He uses a dehumidifier and ERV to control condensation from forming in the summer. During the winter, he believes in creative comfort by using psychological measures the satisfaction of knowing he is doing right by our environment and helping to make the community more aware of fossil fuel problems. His body has adapted to lower temperatures but still wears layers of clothes to keep warm. His furnace stays on 60 degrees unless he feels the pellet stove needs to be turned on. Mr. Lutz feels he is doing right by the environment and is doing his part by not using unnecessary fossil fuel. In the bathroom, he believes in quick showers with a low-flow shower head. Does not use hot water for anything except bathing, feels there is no need to wash clothes or dishes with hot water. There is a tankless gas water heater in the utility room which is also monitored. Rain water is collected to use for laundry, dishes and other needs. Mr. Lutz spoke about his measurements and documentation he does on daily bases to monitor the energy produced throughout his home. We went outside to the garage there we saw 16 batteries connected to one another it was a backup power supply to use to tell the solar panels to keep working. These are used when the power is completely out. Outside of the garage sat solar panel in the middle of his garden to collect energy from the sun to reflex the electricity in the home. Mr. Lutz told us he has DP & L services which they charge him twenty dollars a month for services regardless if he uses there fuel or not. However, he measures all of his components on daily bases then he gives DP & L his data. They give him credit toward his bill. He has not paid a fossil fuel bill in over two years. Mr. Lutz’s vision for the future shows when you tour his house and listen to his lecture. It would require a big change in lifestyle, planting a garden, remodeling your home, washing dishes in cold water. It is all for a good cause especially to save our environment in the end.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:17:53 +0000
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