Energy modeling makes certain assumptions about how occupants will use a building. We generally use average behaviors: we assume the heating and cooling will be at certain setpoints; we assume that windows will remain closed in cold weather and that ventilation systems will be allowed to run as designed. Occupants can be creative in the ways they break the rules, though, so it’s important for them to be educated on how to operate their Pretty Good home. This website is one of many with that as a goal, but in reality, every home should come with an owners’ manual, a collection of documents that explains how to operate the complex machine we call a house. You can’t buy a toaster without an owner’s manual; houses should come with one too. Be proud to show off your Pretty Good, high-performance house—educating others on a first-hand basis is a great way to spread knowledge of this better way to build. Once you experience a high performance house, it’s hard to go back to standard housing, and growth is exponential—so spread the word.
Portions of this page attributed to Mike Maines, "Guidelines for designing and building a Pretty Good House". Visit the Pretty Good House website to read more by clicking here.