I've been asking questions of home builders (or their sales representatives) as I plan a new home. I am basically pleased with what I have seen in my survey but we still have a long ways to go. Case in point - the new construction I've encountered recently is much tighter and better insulated than I have previously seen (at least with a couple of better builders that I've checked out). On the "not so good news front" there is a real lack of knowledge about options for implementing new technologies such as geothermal assist for heat pumps, solar water heaters, photovoltaic solar, and even passive solar designs.
An interesting bit of insight that I received from the builders was that for fundamental changes to permit widespread adoption of these technological advancements it needs to be driven by someone other than the builder. It must come from the developer. I proposed a group of houses oriented for optimal passive solar gain and drilling for geothermal piping in advance of construction. The builder said that it was interesting but they couldn't do it. Most of the lots that they procure for building are made available long after the streets have been laid out and, in some cases, after the streets and utilities are all in.
If the top of the picture is north how many of these houses are oriented for optimal solar gain?
You know how when you turn over rocks you sometimes find some nasty stuff under them?
I met a "Utilities" expert in the course of my investigation. I mentioned how it was possible that fuel cell technology could enable households to utilize natural gas for a hydrogen fueled car and microgeneration of electricity for the household. Why is this relevant to a discussion with builders and developers? Well, it's because the gas lines in most neighborhoods cannot supply sufficient capacity for appliances other than water heaters, furnaces and ovens. The gas lines must be sized properly when the utilities are put in long before the houses are built. That comes back to the developer.
So what do we do? Whatever it is it will take some time. We have to make certain that homebuilders are aware of a growing demand for well thought out, properly engineered developments. That will only happen if customers continually ask for these options. If you get the opportunity to evangalize for neighborhoods that support these options to city planners and developers, by all means, do it! We'd best get started sooner rather than later.
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