VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR SOT: 
Good morning, Everybody.  We’re very lucky today.  Today is a good day because we have two homeowners that are doing the sweat equity program.  You’ll be working with them.  They’re great.  So, this is a nice day.

DAN HINES, CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C.:
Everybody has heard for Energy Star and LEED.  Passive is kind of that to the Nth-power.  It’s very energy efficient, as tight as you can be and really focuses on how do we best use the energy that goes into a house. 

To start off, they are super-insulated.  They’re built airtight.  So they accurate design where windows are placed, what kind of glazing is put on them, everything like that to try to smartly use they energy that just inherently comes into a house from sunlight.

You have to use Passive House certified windows in order to be certified.  And the cost of those windows is much higher but it is because they’re much better.  All these windows have insulated frames.  These are usually at least three panes.  So it does cost more in upfront cost for us to build a Passive House but we way that against the fact that it is going to cost a lot less for our homeowners to live in their house throughout the course of year, meaning their energy costs are going to be very low and manageable and should be standard, meaning they’re the same from month to month. 
 
SUSAN SLATER, , PRESIDENT AND CEO, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C.:
We do know that an average house in this area spends at least 1,200 to 1,500 dollars a year on energy costs.  And we expect that to be reduced by about 90%. 

On a cost benefit, it’s a hands down win-win for everyone.  It’s definitely great for the homeowner.  It ensures that they have enough cash to pay their mortgage and they have much more financial flexibility. 

YENESALEM SATA, Passive House Recipient:
Today I’m coming here today to participate with Habitat and volunteers.  I came from Ethiopia.  I have been in America almost about six years.  I’m living now in an apartment.  It’s almost two bedrooms which is not comfortable for my kids as well as for myself. 

All my family is very interested in the plant when they see it is an environmental place and how the house is constructed.  I prefer this construction for my long life.

DAN HINES, CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C.:
It’s really important to use that our homeowners be able to afford the house that they’re moving into.  IF we can spend a little more money building it and getting it to this really great energy standard, then our homeowners over the next thirty, forty years get to be able to know exactly how much they are going to spend and spend a lot lesson on living in their house.