Reducing energy is easy. Many cultures, such as the Amish, do that by eschewing technology. The modern urban situation, however, requires careful engineering to reduce energy while ensuring comfort.

Done right, a high-performance home will be more comfortable. It starts by creating a tight building envelope with continuous insulation.

These houses should be draft-free, with consistent temperature throughout. Depending on the size of the house, it should use zoned heat pumps to heat and cool the house.

The humidity should be easily maintained at the proper level, and there should be excellent filtration to eliminate VOCs and reduce seasonal allergies.

There are different levels that a homebuilder can seek to achieve. Custom-built homes may wish to invest in the highest-performing mechanical systems. Beginning in 2022, a variable capacity heat pump is now operating in temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit without electric strip reheat.

These new technologies make it easier for the homeowner to achieve ENERGY STAR® or Passive House Status.

Regardless of the level at which you wish to invest, the key is to obtain high indoor air quality through carefully filtered mechanical ventilation. A constant supply of filtered fresh air allows you to experience a new level of health and comfort inside your home. Outdoor air in big cities is seriously polluted, and without good ventilation, that pollution can pile inside the home.