As Green as it Gets

Cool

In a 32'x48' home, the doubled walls are 48' long by 6." An "extra" Sunspace wall is there anyway if you have a "sunroom." Only the inner North wall is "Extra" - 24 sq. ft.
In Enertia homes, insulation is not critical - it does not work by heating or cooling air and trapping it inside. It heats the timbers, which radiate heat to you in Winter. In Summer the key is to avoid buildup of heat.
Heavy timber is NOT a fire hazard. After all, which burns faster - a 2x4 stud, or a 6x6 timber?

Love the ideas of these homes, not because I'm am so retarded as to believe in global warming but the savings in energy bills would be great.

It's a very interesting idea that might be worth developing for milder climates? The concept of the envelope house was tried in the late 70's in Wisconsin but had too many drawbacks to catch on such as fire being able to travel through the wall cavities from basement or crawlspace to attic (building code now requires fire dampers), mildew odor during humid weather, and the advantages didn't justify the additional cost of construction. And it DOES use too much lumber to be truly "green".

The use of heavy timber takes care of the fire problems that occur with 2x4 construction. The airflow combats the liklihood of any mildew, although in really humid climates some dehumidification might be used. And as for the timber, trees are replanted - many times more than used. Proper timber growing and harvesting processes are used, and while the trees grow the clean the air. Once in the house, their carbon content is sequestered.

Nothing new about this architecture, they were first described in 1650.. They are called salt boxes and, when done right, can be super efficient.

If the Sun is out, it trumps the air temperature, however cold it may be. The Sun-heated air circulating in the outer shell warms the timber walls which absorb heat all day and then slowly release it. If there is no sun for several days the radiant in-floor heat takes over. And, the earth temp at roughly 54 degrees tempers the outer shell air. On fierce days, the occupants only need to elevate the temperature from 54 to comfort level, not from the outside temperature to comfort level.

Perhaps not, until we achieve more mass production and economy of scale. But some families with average budgets, but above average knowledge, skills and motivation have managed it.

Does anyone see the flaw in this theory? "Absorb, Retain, and Transfer Heat" Think about it. This means that this house also Absorbs, Retains, and Transfer Cold at the same rate, salt crystals and all. This theory has been used as a sales pitch by the log home industry for years. Want a better plan that will actually heat your home in cold regions. Passive solar design + insulation + solar radiant floor heating = a house that is truly heated by the sun even in cold climate.

If there were no "envelope" in this house, this statement might make some sense. But, with the "envelope" the house has its own buffer climate so that the true cold outside does not penetrate enough at night to counter the warmth stored by the wood during the day.