Steve,

Interesting editorial, if a bit off topic from SQL. I'll admit upfront to only a passing familiarity with wind power.

However, having been a building contractor in a previous career, I know that building super-insulated homes also have some drawbacks. Energy usage is only one attribute of a building's design. Since virtually all buildings are ultimately used for some sort of occupancy by humans (automated factories aside), their design should serve the people who will use them.

Super-insulation means extremely limited airflow in and out of the house. This lack of fresh air is actually a bad thing. Building in fresh air supplies that incorporate heat exchangers that allow an exchange of air with the outside without also allowing an exchange of energy is quite complex and costly.

Modern building materials exude toxic gases, and with more and more of the material in the house being manufactured this is just increasing. Cabinets, carpet and waferboard are all made with formaldehyde-based glues that will outgas for years.

For myself, I prefer to use a little more energy and insure that I get fresh, healthful air. but then, I live in a very temperate climate in Southern California.

I am looking at solar, though.