This is great. I've been wondering when Knoxburg is going to finally join the 21st century with green building, LEED, energy star, etc.

Such a home doesn't have to resemble a hippie hut any more than a front loading washer resembles a washboard.

Until we get to the point where photovoltaics are economically viable, I am bothered by the idea of a ZEH. I don't mind a few being built as exhibits in a science fair sort of way but they take a lot of resources. I'd rather see a larger # of houses built with a goal of 60-80% energy reduction. Simple things like passive solar and solar water heating for example. Florescent bulbs and that radical invention: the clothesline! Something that is within the means of a typical new home buyer, without subsidy.

I attended a lunchen this spring with a lecture about a ZEH. It was a giant SNAFU. Everything that could go wrong, did. The home had giant south facing windows with NO OVERHANG. In the Arizona desert. Half of the PV panels weren't hooked up when installed. And not a clothesline in sight.

An analogy would be having a demonstration garden that provided 100% of one's nutritional needs. It would likely be intimidating. But a garden that provided 50% might seem very do-able.
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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most? "It's hard work," as somebody might say. Changing people's habits is a huge battle.

I have similar (though small) concerns about the over push to CFLs. They're great for what they are and we use them throughout, but when you shop for lighting almost all room lighting is specialized: kitchen, bath, dining, etc. They don't have standard bulb sockets. It's halogen or bastard sockets. Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent. I've been toying with a few night light type things I've cobbled together with LEDs, and they use less than 0.1 watt per LED. They're too bright to stare at and are dimmable.

But make no mistake, if you've got non-dimmable sockets, there's no reason not to use CFLs in them now.

How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most?

Good one. Years ago, my mom said she used to use the clothesline to dry laundry. In Oklahoma, it was great. The laundry would be dry on one end as you finished putting it out on the other end. Then she moved to Tennesseee. She said the laundry could be out all day and still be damp (humidity). She purchase a dryer.

Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent.

I hope so. Not a fan of CFLs.

I spent some time looking into LEDs. It's not quite ready for prime time, but it is definitely the right direction and needs some serious R&D.

Yes, I realize I'm lucky to not be tied to a 8-5 job with a long commute so I have time to do a load of clothes in the morning and put them out to dry. I haven't even owned a dryer in 2 years and it works for me. Even in TN. Smaller items go on a drying rack inside the house - I don't want the neighbors staring at my skivvies.

All of my bulbs can go CF. Thats the advantage of living in a lo-tech home.

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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

To hear my mother tell it, her clothesline was the main reason she wanted us to move to Karns in 1948. We lived on Vermont Avenue in Lonsdale, and soot from the old Coster Shops soiled the clothes on the line most of the time. I remember her rewashing them a few times at the new place, too, due to bird poop. The scent of line-dried clothes was great, though.

Laundry for four consumed most of a Monday. I found some of those God awful jeans stretchers in the basement a couple of years ago. If she shoved those things down into the legs of wet jeans before hanging them on the line she didn't have to iron them. I also have her homemade clothespin bag and a few old-fashioned pins. She retired all that when she got her first dryer but would never ever throw anything away.

The Hill Online

Ironing blue Jeans? What is this ironing you speak of?

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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Mom ironed everything back then and the guy I sold her old house to does as well even with today's fabrics. It must be something in the water.

The Hill Online

Maybe it's the water or the view from the ironing board. My theory is your father built such a solid, well built house that would appeal to perfectionists.

I remember those pants stretchers, they were used for Dad's work slacks. I can't imagine using them for jeans.

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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

I am looking to build a ZEH in northeastern TN and am looking for current information. Are there any update(s) on this?

Go here for a great site that should have just what you are looking for. David Bolt is the founder and really believes in ZEH.

http://www.sustainablefuture.biz/