Article archive
Snow on roofs
02/27/2018 18:29
Watching the snow melt patterns on roofs is a good way to identify heat loss issues. Icicles and ice dams are another tell-tale sign.
Exterior Insulation
12/19/2016 19:37
We've done 2 exterior Insulation projects this year using 2 different approaches. Both houses, one from the 1920's and the other built in the 1950's, were framed with 2x4s and sheathed with 1x8s and needed new siding. With that opportunity, we decided to add a thick layer of...
Published!
05/17/2016 07:20
I just had a guest blog published in Green Building Advisor, which is the top energy/building science/construction web site in the country. The article describes the work we've done on our old house to make it more energy efficient. You can read the article (and view the pretty pictures) at: ...
Winnipeg Solar Greenhouse tour
05/05/2016 18:33
I've been working on a commercial sized Chinese style Solar Greenhouse project for a couple of years. I'm hoping to work with a market gardener in Montana to build at least one of these greenhouses to promote year round vegetable growing. Here's a description:Solar Greenhouse Proposal 10.pdf...
Free DIY Solar PV Workshop
12/23/2015 13:30
I'm installing a solar PV system on my roof this winter. Across town, Linda Mahr is putting her system on a backyard trellis. As we work through these installations, we'd like to invite you to stop by, get a tour and ask any questions.
If you'd like to be notified, please e-mail me at...
New Blower Door
12/23/2015 10:05
We recently purchased a Minneapolis blower door to use in energy audits. A blower door is used to test a home for air leakage. It is the only way to effectively find and fix air leakage in houses. We use the blower door, an Infrared camera, and smoke machines as our primary tools.
Now we have...
Hoitsma House - 1st winter's utility bills
05/23/2015 13:33
Todd and Amy Hoitsma's new house has gone through it's first winter. I called Todd up to find out how well it performed. They used 90 therms of natural gas (about $100) and their PV system produced an excess of 1400 kWhr ($170) of electricity. They are thrilled and so am I. "Warm,...
Trainer at the MT Weatherization Center
10/23/2014 10:19
For the last 3-1/2 years, I've been working as an instructor/trainer at the Montana Weatherization Training Center while designing homes on the side. The MT Wx Training Center trains weatherization crews from around the region to air seal, insulate, and fix safety hazards in low income...
New Playgarden Photos
03/29/2011 16:32
Jeff Babienko sent me some new photographs of the Seattle Children's Playgarden. Facility provides outdoor theraputic activities for disabled children in the region. When I left Seattle in 2006, I turned this project over to Jeff for design development, construction drawings...
Federal Tax Credits to expire December 2010
09/03/2010 11:08
Please remember that Federal Tax Credits for insulation, new windows and doors and for high efficiency furnaces are scheduled to retire at the end of this year (2010). Now is the time to plan for energy improvements. This Tax Credit will save you up to $1500 on your principal...
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Imagine, as a market gardener, growing fresh, organic food all year in Montana without any fossil fuels. Tomatoes into November and December, new greens starting in February. These off season crops offer higher profit margins because the alternative for consumers is the tired produce in the grocery stores.