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https://www.instagram.com/cransbury.design/Exploring Keith Sharp’s Ambient Heated and Cooled Home in Pagosa Springs, CO
Join me as I dive into the incredible work of Keith Sharp, a mechanical engineer and emeritus professor from the University of Louisville.
In this video, we explore the remarkable home he masterminded in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. With a deep understanding of physics, Keith has designed a self-sufficient home that achieves 100% ambient heating and cooling, with indoor comfort maintained almost entirely through passive solar heating and nighttime ventilation. It requires a fireplace for only a few days each year.
Keith’s modern approach builds on the principles of historic passive solar design but prioritizes reduced envelope losses, smaller south-facing windows, and less thermal mass. This not only lowers embodied carbon but also improves cost efficiency.
This home exemplifies what’s possible when data-driven design meets sustainable innovation.
By tracking energy performance and carbon footprint, Keith's design goes beyond Passive House and Net-Zero Standards, creating a resilient, high-performance home that harnesses nature’s gifts. It stays comfortable year-round, even in extreme weather conditions, without mechanical heating or cooling systems.
Key Features Covered in This Video:
🍃 Cooling Ventilation & Shading
🍃 High-Performance Wall Assemblies
🍃 Insulation & Envelope losses
🍃 Airtightness and Air Seals
🍃 Floor Plan Layout
🍃 South-Facing Window Aperture Ratio
🍃 Window Performance and Specifications
🍃 Thermal Capacitance
🍃 Trombe Walls
🍃 Geothermal Pre-Heating for Ventilation
🍃 Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) System
🍃 Keith’s Pre-Design Calculator
This home is a shining example of what’s achievable with sustainable, innovative design. Watch to learn from Keith Sharp’s expertise and see how this extraordinary home embodies self-sufficiency, resilience, and comfort.
Download the free Passive Heating and Cooling Checklist:
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0:00 - Intro
1:06 - Keith Sharp & His Work
3:37 - South Wall
4:44 - Ventilation Cooling
8:17 - Wall Assembly
10:35 - Backup Heat
23:45 - Subscribe
24:10 - Trombe Wall
33:24 - Geothermal
36:50 - Mechanical Room
42:21 - Final Questions
52:38 - Outro
Want to connect? Check out links below!
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