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Old 08-07-2007, 06:44 AM
 
17 posts, read 94,236 times
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Are there companies in Montana that design environmentally friendly houses, for people living off-grid, or wanting low energy bills and heating bills? Using renewable energy and sustainabe design principles?

I'm from the UK and this area is becoming important over there. Is there demand for this sort of thing in Montana? Is it accepted? And what cities and companies are out there?

Nick
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Old 08-07-2007, 07:14 AM
 
Location: Kingman - Anaconda
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There is a cultured log home manufacture in Missoula, looks like thats going to be our choice.
Solid walls, pretty fire proof which is a good thing.
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Old 08-07-2007, 07:16 AM
 
Location: LEAVING CD
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I don't know that there are companies that specialize in that here, I think it is still too much of a "niche" business at this point (at least here). Since more people are moving here from more cutting edge areas this may change but at this point this state is still what some would consider behind the times and they like it that way. I have yet to see any eco-friendly houses built, I know a few people who incorporate pieces of tech into their houses but nothing you would consider total. Most people off grid run generators of some sort. I am seeing more boiler systems that use a combo of wood and natural gas to provide all water and air heat but that is about it. I have yet to see large scale solar or wind power for residential and in fact have seen none at this point.
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Old 08-07-2007, 07:31 AM
 
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It's similar in the UK - houses start with small additions, but it's clear things are changing. Logs are about the best things to build a house from, in terms of thermal and acoustic properties, so thats what I'm really interested in. I was just wondering how much of other practices, such as solar hot water, ground source heat pumps, highly insulated walls etc are used. I personally love the idea of a house that has a negligible impact on the environment, especially somewhere as beautiful as Montana.
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Old 08-07-2007, 07:36 AM
 
Location: LEAVING CD
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Solar is tough here since the sun is an iffy thing for the majority of the winter which is a majority of the year. Insulation is a given being where we live.
Log homes are common here but are expensive to build compared to other houses and as for ground source heat, I have yet to see it here unless on a high end house. Most houses here are heated by gas of some sort or electricity with wood stove assist.
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