Cascade Built Blog
February 11, 2009
2030 Challenge Compliance
Posted by admin, 3:15 PM
The 2030 Challenge is a national imperative if you believe the science, and a great idea even if you don’t. Wouldn’t it be nice to not have any utility bills to pay every month? Yes is would. Unfortunately this isn’t a reality for most in the developed world. We have a nasty energy habit that just keeps getting worse (expected to increase another 50% by 2030). Do your part to reverse the trend.
The Alley house in Seattle meets the current challenge levels. At 15.1 KBtu/SF/Yr, it in fact exceeds the next level 2010 60% reduction. So far so good. However, I attended a Passive House presentation this weekend and their standard is 4.75 KBtu/SF/Yr, so we have a ways to go for that. Also of note, the 2030 challenge has the 90% level in effect by 2025 at 3.1 KBtu/SF/Yr, but we have a few more years to figure that out.
I’m working on a project currently with colleagues in the SBA program (concept stage) with an 80% reduction target. I believe we’ll have to use ERV and probably triple glazing. Not sure til we run the numbers.
And of course the real challenge is in 2030, zero KBtu/Sq.Ft./Yr.
