Green Technology

There has been a lot of talk about Obama's plan for a stimulus package. Spending on infrastructure seem to dominate the discusssion, but hopefully some money could get spread around for research on 'Passive Houses'.

From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace.

On of the things that usually set green technology back is that the costs, both in production and maintaining, can be higher than traditional models. This, though, is pretty encouraging.

And in Germany, passive houses cost only about 5 to 7 percent more to build than conventional houses.

A 5 to 7 percent increase is certainly going to be steeper with a house, but with little to no heating required and considering likely rising cost of heating your home that 5 to 7 percent increase over the long-term looks minimal.