Now they've added heat pumps. Originally it was super insulation, and stone/water/masonry energy storage. Then the industry developed double and triple window glazing, rooftop hot water energy collectors. All of this went down the tubes when REAGAN ended the energy credits on which the industry grew.

You do have to be careful with such tightly sealed houses. Building materials can off-gas toxicity, and building materials need to breathe to combat moisture buildup.

There are Ytube vids with homes in northern US with 6 or 8 inch walls filled with foam. Just no beating the investment.

to prevent toxic outgassing from being a problem

Humidity and condensation are big issues too...and need a path outside for airflow to minimize potential issues.

With the heat pump there is air and heat exchange.

70s plywood contained formaldehyde in the glue if i recall correctly. So yeah air flow.

Oh, wait, you aren't talking about gastrointestinal issues are you?

Never mind.

A friend designs these.

My boyfriend worked in solar and he helped me build a passive solar house - South side mostly all windows. If the sun is out my house will be 80 degrees or warmer when it’s 20 degrees outside.

You can also collect heat by putting water tubes in front is windows. My bathroom has 6 5ft poly tubes filled with blue dye in front of windows - they heat up in sun and keep room warm when son goes down.

I love heat pumps. They are so much better than any climate control Ive used before. But they do still draw a fair bit of current.

In contrast to this article or responses, my goal is to keep my house closer to 65 year round. and i live in a fairly temperate area, so I dont want that solar heat. Now that everything is getting hotter.. id like a way to be shedding that excessive heat without using as much power.

as long as you have ELECTRICITY. What happens when your electricity goes out and then you run out of fuel for your generator?

Fireplace is also a good backup.