Oregonian: We wrap up in wool sweaters to keep warm in winter. Why not extend the same courtesy to our drafty, energy-gobbling homes? The “super-insulated” house got its start in Canada in 1977. The Germans followed up in 1991 with an improved version by eliminating the furnace altogether. They called it a “passive house,” which quickly caught on in their chilly climate. This revolutionary concept has only recently spread to the United States, where it is gaining devoted followers among …