Building under construction showing truss roof.
The major goal of the med research project, conceived in 1975 by the southern California gas company, was to reduce energy consumption in a typical home by at least 50 percent while maintaining, or even improving, the occupant family's standards of living and comfort. The project used available energy-saving building techniques and materials, as well as advanced household appliances and a solar/natural gas energy system for heating and cooling. Med designers hoped to en- courage the American building industry to adopt the project's energy-saving features. Results: energy consumption was reduced by more than 50 percent in the program's two research houses, but the total cost was too great for practical consideration. A subsequent project, med-ii, proved that some med-i features could be used cost effectively.
Original public domain image from Flickr