Claiming to be the first Certified Passive House in California and the first
passive house retrofit project in the U.S., the “O’Neill Passive House”
flaunts an energy-efficient, classy and greendesign. The 2,400-square-foot
’60s-era home sports eco-friendly features like airtight construction, triple-
glazed windows, high levels of insulation, passive solar design and an energy
recovery ventilation system.
The small smart two-bedroom passive home is a cozy, comfortable
farmhouse that is spiced up with modern techniques. It consumes energy
equivalent to a standard hair dryer. The owner Cathy O’Neill pays just
$20 to $30 as her monthly utility bill. The super-efficient features of the
building have helped this stunning house win “This Week’s Green House” honors
on Wendy Koch’s Green House blog on USATODAY.com.
