Interviewing an Energy Advisor - Cold Climate Home Construction & Energy Efficiency

Tyler Hermanson is a Director, Consultant, and Energy Advisor with 4-Elements Integrated Design LTD - www.4elements....
We interviewed Tyler after he did an Energy Audit of our homestead... Where he confirmed our suspicion that it is, in fact, very energy inefficient in it's current state! We often take the consumption of energy, oil, gas, fuel, electricity, water, and all other 'stocks' such as these for granted in our modern lives - which are VERY energy intensive. There are, indeed, limits to growth and we are actively working to change our lifestyle at our new homestead to be less energy-dependent.
Yes, moving toward renewable energy supplies is VERY important for decreasing our human impact on the environment. BUT, we often ignore that an equally impactful, if not more impactful, method for decreasing our human impact is to DECREASE the energy that we consume on a daily basis! It is important to be mindful of how we eat, how we work, how we play, and how we heat and build our homes.
That's where the services that an Energy Advisor like Tyler can provide are invaluable so you can understand what your challenges and opportunities are if you would like to a deep energy retrofit of your home to be more energy efficient!
About Rob Avis and Verge Permaculture:
In less than 10 years, Rob & Michelle Avis left Calgary’s oil fields and retooled his engineering career to help clients and students design integrated systems for shelter, energy, water, waste and food, all while supporting local economy and regenerating the land. He’s now leading the next wave of permaculture education, teaching career-changing professionals to become eco-entrepreneurs with successful regenerative businesses. Learn more and connect with Rob & Michelle at vergepermacult...
FREE RESOURCES:
As a special gift when you subscribe to our newsletter is that we’ll send you the link to download our drop-dead-gorgeous Blog Book: 50 breathtaking magazine-style pages of our most popular blog posts and articles over the past five years, from permaculture ABCs to property-buying, home design, eco-investing, and community retrofitting. Sign-up: bit.ly/2Dqjg5G
Why should you reserve a place in your bulging in-box for Verge’s newsletters? One reason: because we challenge the headlines and cultural paradigms with a whole different kind of alternative fact: Permaculture-inspired businesses can succeed - and restore the planet. And we’ll show you how to do it.

[@lindakurtz2653]

Rob, I’m shivering here in Ohio just seeing your unsocked ankle! Great info. Thank you.

[@thingformob]

Very interesting comparing energy values. Great content. Thanks.

[@shannongiebelhaus9844]

This is awesome, Rob! I finished the Verge Online PDC last year, and have since pursued a career as an Energy Advisor in Alberta. It is totally in alignment with the values of permaculture, reducing our footprint and making our homes efficient in all ways. I appreciate that you guys really walk the walk in a very practical way. Stoked that you made this video!

[@mitch6551]

I'm in southern BC, looking to build a "pretty good house" in the next few years. You two are both on my list for consultants! Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@GlowMarketingCanada]

Thanks for the video. Question for Tyler, you mentioned net zero building is expensive. I've heard it's about 15% more than a "normal house". What's been your experience?

[@tylerhermanson1073]

For a single family home the typical cost we hear is $40 000 to $60 000, inc the solar which is a big part. It’s expensive to many, but really as a % of cost, it’s pretty good. We continue to optimize the approach and are able to dial in a cost neutral net operation cost on some homes. Thanks for the great question.

[@d.k.3316]

Great information. Are there any prefab / spec home building companies that meet a high standard of energy efficiency?

[@douggibson9084]

Very Very interesting video 👍 thanks.

[@honeycaffena4897]

We plan to build a net zero house, currently looking for property. Can you talk about using efficient heating? We are planning on warm water tubes in concrete flooring.

[@ecologicaldesignurbanmanitoba]

It has been a couple years, any update? Where are things at now? Thanks, very helpful video.

[@thijsmak9312]

Hi Rob and Tyler, Thanks so much for all the info you're sharing. I'm quirious what effect my wood burning stove has on the insulation value. Does an external air intake make much difference? Do I need to close down every opening at night after burning? As with wood or any energy supply it feels like there is plenty but I'd love to get an insight into the 'low hanging fruit' with woodburning to heat a house. Thanks again, fijne groet, Thijs

[@CajunGreenMan]

So what's the air change number for Passive House, please? Tyler mentioned .6 or .5 as a target for your house.

[@tylerhermanson1073]

PHI says 0.6 ACH. Very tight. It’s the leakage area or ELA that really matters. ACH is very different on very small homes and not the best metric

[@lynxacresb5331]

I am curious how much it would cost to build a house through them, all costs, from start to finish. Like.... a small footprint type house-as small as you can get it and still be practical, basic envelope shape. 3 bed, 1-2 bath (a separated bath would be neat - separate toilet room(s) - composting toilets 5 gallon bucket style, separate room for bathtub/shower, sink in open area), laundry area, kitchen, dining area, large pantry, cold room, living room, mud room. Just ballpark figure would be great. like are we looking at $150k? $200k? $300k? $400k? Assuming the price of building materials doesn’t stay this high forever....sigh.

[@cepamoa1749]

r20 ?? this is 1meters of wood insolation ?

[@lauraalmasan3930]

Rocket mass heaters in every house!

[@Juliana74240]

This video is so full of knowledge! I have been trying to find for an informative vid similar to yours that really breaks down everything in this KZbin vid! 👌 👌Your video for sure is like the content from Doctor Ethan! Dr Ethan's demonstrations are useful and he helped me on diet. He is a cool medical student! You should see his channel out and give Doctor Ethan a like over here! ➡️ #DrEthanCare