LETTERS: SINGING THE PRAISES OF SOLAR HOMES

To the editor:

As firm believers in the pleasure and value of solar energy, we applaud the Journet-Conway choice of home construction.

Seventeen years ago, we started our passively heated solar home. Everyone told us we were crazy and would freeze to death. It was as though we had to prove all over again that Earth was not flat. After three years of dedicated owner-builder construction, we moved into the house. We have 2,000 square feet kept toasty warm thanks to the sun and two cords of wood.

Admittedly, Dr. Alan Journet and Dr. Kathy Conway have the higher-tech home. Also, they were smart enough to consider the heat and humidity of summer. That is our one failure. In the end, we stuck a very large room air conditioner into a hole in the wall. To call it ugly is to be charitable. However, it works. Needless to say, we are mighty jealous of their central air unit. We do not even have duct work.

Congratulations, Dr. Journet and Dr. Conway. Solar energy is wonderful. We are so glad someone else knows the world is not flat.

BERNIE and BEV DIRNBERGER

Cape Girardeau