energetechs.com

Energytechs Missoula Montana

green — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:20:53 +0000

Many people think that the Missoula, Montana business called Energetechs is spelled Energytechs

So, if you’re looking for Montana’s building energy efficiency experts, you’ve come to the right place.

We invite you to click on any of the menu items at the top of the page and explore our extensive range of services and products to help you improve your building’s energy efficiency.

We don’t care if you call us Energetechs or Energytechs or Energetics or anything else. We do care about helping you save money, improve the comfort and durability of your home, and do the right thing for the environment.

Please send us a message via the contact form on the right or call us at (406) 721 2741 or stop by and visit us at 615 Oak St, Suite 101, Missoula, Montana, 59801.

Energetics Missoula Montana

green — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:18:30 +0000

Many people think that the Missoula, Montana business called Energetechs is spelled Energetics

So, if you’re looking for Montana’s building energy efficiency experts, you’ve come to the right place.

We invite you to click on any of the menu items at the top of the page and explore our extensive range of services and products to help you improve your building’s energy efficiency.

Please send us a message via the contact form on the right or call us at (406) 721 2741 or stop by and visit us at 615 Oak St, Suite 101, Missoula, Montana, 59801.

Passive House Certification

green — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:27:01 +0000

Energetechs now has Montana’s first and only Certified Passive House Consultant!

After going through a rigorous training process we can now proudly say that our very own Tom Hellem has become Montana’s first Certified Passive House Consultant. This qualifies Tom to Certify homes under the Passive House Institute program.

Tom Hellem

Tom received extensive instruction in the principles of Passive House Design and in the use of the Passive House Planning Package software that is used to certify homes under the program.

Tom has been a builder of high-quality and energy efficient homes for over 35 years. During this time he has become increasingly aware of the vital importance of reducing the energy consumption of buildings in order to limit their overall environmental impact.

“Energy Efficiency is the first priority when building a green and sustainable home, and Passive House Certification is the best way to ensure superior energy performance”, said Tom after receiving his certification from the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS).

A Certified Passive House uses about 90% less energy than a standard-built house of the same size. So the potential energy savings over the life of the home are enormous. And, since the energy consumed by a building durings its “life” constitutes by far the largest portion of its overall environmental impact, Certified Passive Houses are much, much better for the environment.

If you would like to learn more about our Passive House Design and Certified Passive House Consultant services in Missoula, Montana, please feel free to contact us by clicking on the link below or using the form at the top right of this page.

Who are we?

green — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:03:01 +0000

Energetechs is a team of people dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of buildings. We have been in business for over 21 years and our staff has a combined total of over 100 years in the GREEN BUILDING field. Our expertise ranges from general construction and building science to ENERGY AUDITS, PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN, EXPERT WITNESS services, and ENERGY MODELING.

CLICK HERE to MEET THE TEAM, and please CONTACT US for a free consultation regarding your building energy efficiency needs.

What do we do?

green — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:02:44 +0000

Energetechs is committed to building energy efficiency. We offer a wide range of services aimed at helping our customers and clients reduce their energy use, utility bills, and environmental footprint.

Our highly trained and experienced staff can provide sound and in-depth advice on every aspect of building energy efficiency, from CONSULTING with architects and builders on ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN of new buildings to performing BLOWER DOOR TESTS and INFRARED CAMERA ANALYSIS on existing buildings. We have expert knowledge of MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN, building science, and GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS.

We also sell a number of PRODUCTS specifically for energy efficient construction.

We invite you to explore this website to learn more about the many things we do or CONTACT US directly and we’ll be more than happy to chat with you about your energy efficiency needs.

Energy Audit, Missoula, MT

green — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:52:23 +0000

Energetechs has been performing Energy Audits in the Missoula, MT area for 21 years!

What is an energy audit?
An energy audit is a type of home inspection that focuses primarily on the energy that a building uses for heating and cooling. The main areas of interest to the Energy Auditor are the insulation, the windows, the mechanical system, and the air tightness of the structure.

How can you test the insulation?
The best way to test the insulation in an existing home is with an Infrared Camera. It’s like an x-ray for your home and allows us to see what’s happening behind the drywall. We can see where insulation is missing or inadequate and we can very clearly see where air is leaking into and out of the building.

A Thermal Image taken with an Infrared Camera during an Energy Audit

The Thermal Image above was taken with an Infrared Camera during an Energy Audit and clearly shows where insulation is missing and air is leaking at the top of the wall behind the drywall. Without the infrared camer it is impossible to see what’s really going on in the hidden parts of your home.

Why is air-tightness important?
Air tightness is critical for an energy efficient structure and goes hand-in-hand with good insulation. You can’t achieve good energy performance without both of these working together. Insulation without good air sealing is like being out on a cold windy day in a thick blanket that has a bunch of holes in it. It’s not going to keep you warm. Similarly, air-tightness without insulation is like being out on a cold windy day wrapped only in a garbage bag. It’s not going to keep you warm either. Everyone knows that you need good insulation in a home but air-leakage is the hidden thief that can rob a home of a great deal of heat. The way to find him is with an Energy Audit.

How does an Energy Audit measure air tightness?
We use a special piece of equipment called a Blower Door to test how much air is moving through the shell (or envelope) of the building. During a Blower Door Test we measure the amount of air that we have to blow out of the building to reach a negative pressure of -50Pa. While the blower door is running we go around the home with the Infrared Camera and we can easily spot all of the places where air is leaking into the building. These can then be sealed up to help improve the overall Energy Performance.

Performing a Blower Door Test during an Energy Audit

The picture above shows one of our Energy Auditors performing a Blower Door Test on a home. The red tent seals the doorway while the fan blows air out of the house and calibrated gauges measure the pressure and amount of air flow. This tells us exactly how much air-leakage there is through the building structure.

What are the benefits of an Energy Audit in Missoula, MT?
Missoula and the surrounding area have a cold climate. Without good insulation, windows, air sealing, and efficient mechanical equipment it can be very expensive to heat a home in this area. In new homes it is possible to get very good levels of insulation and air-tightness if the builder is paying attention to detail during construction. But in existing homes it can be hard to tell where heat is being lost and the only effective way to find out is with a professional energy audit.

Why use Energetechs?
We have been around for 21 years and our team has a combined total of over 100 years experience in design, construction, heating, cooling, ventilation, and energy conservation. All of our staff have spent significant time in the construction industry which gives us a major advantage during an Energy Audit. Because we understand very clearly how buildings are put together we can tell you WHY you might have a problem and HOW to fix it. Which is a lot better than just telling you that you have a problem. All of our staff have put considerable time and effort into studying Building Science so we also understand in great depth how heat and moisture move in and through buildings. We can help you to solve and hopefully avoid many of the problems that arise in so many homes. We are committed to helping our customers achieve healthier, more affordable, and more energy efficient buildings.

Free Consultations for Designers

green — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:10:36 +0000

Energetechs is now offering a FREE ONE-HOUR CONSULTATION to architects and designers on EVERY NEW PROJECT!

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of ALL buildings, we are offering these free consultations to assist architects and designers with improving the performance of their buildings. The earlier we can be involved in the process the better as fundamental decisions like site selection, building size, and orientation can dramatically affect the end result in terms of energy performance.

Ideally we would like to encourage all building designers to establish performance goals for their buildings from the very beginning. These goals could be in line with existing programs like The 2030 Challenge or Passive House Standard or they could be goals that the design team establishes specifically for each project. Once the performance goals have been set, the building is then designed to meet the goals. This is known as Performance Based Design and is the most effective way to ensure that energy conservation is made a top priority in building design.

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE BENEFITS!
We can also assist with ensuring that health and safety as well as financial goals are met for each project. Our practical understanding of building science, moisture control, indoor air quality, HVAC systems, construction methods, and cost management makes us a highly valuable member of any Integrated Design team.

2009/10-AIA Sustainable Practice Conference

green — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:09:09 +0000

Energetechs welcomes architects to Bozeman.

We are very excited to be a part of the 2009 AIA Sustainable Practice Conference. We are looking forward to meeting with as many architects as possible and explaining how we can help to set and meet high performance goals for buildings. Not only that, but we can help improve all three of the triple bottom lines, the financial, the ecological, and the social. With our help buildings can be made healthier, safer, more energy efficient, and more cost effective.

The theme of this week’s conference is sustainable practice and much of the focus is on Integrated Design. And this is exactly where we feel we can be of the most service, offering our energy efficient design and construction expertise as part of an collaborative design process. If you are an architect attending the conference in Bozeman, please stop by our booth and learn about the services and products that we have to offer.

We are also using the conference as an opportunity to launch an exciting new program. Energetechs is now offering a FREE, ONE-HOUR CONSULTATION to architects and building designers for EVERY NEW PROJECT! Let us give you some free advice regarding building science and energy efficiency with no obligation whatsoever. Naturally, we’ll be thrilled if you decide to hire us to be part of your project team but we’ll be more than happy to give some free advice if it helps make your buildings better, safer, and greener.

For some time now we at Energetechs have been fostering the goal of working more closely with architects to make buildings more energy efficient. We love being part of an integrated design team from the earliest stages of a project to help set energy efficiency as a top priority. We’d like to see every design team choose energy performance goals (preferably in line with the 2030 Challenge) from the very beginning of every project and work to meet those goals throughout the entire project.

Ideas for living more energy efficiently

green — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:03:23 +0000

And saving on utility bills!

Turn it down! – In the winter use your programmable thermostat to lower the heat when you’re asleep or away from home. When you’re in the house set the thermostat to a lower temperature and put on a sweater, a pair of warm slippers, and some more bed covers.

Use your blinds! – In winter keep the blinds and drapes of sun-exposed windows open in the daytime and closed at night to conserve heat. In the summer open windows and blinds at night to cool the house and close them in the daytime to keep it cool. If you don’t have good blinds consider installing insulating window coverings. They can be a great way to affordably reduce heat loss and gain through windows as well as adding privacy and beauty to your home.

Use your fans! – Ceiling fans are a much more energy efficient way to stay cool than air-conditioning. PLUS they can help to keep you comfortable in the winter too. Reversing the direction of the blades in winter pushes warm air up to the ceiling then brings it down the walls. This evens out the temperature without creating a cooling breeze. If you don’t have ceiling fans consider installing Energy Star models in your bedrooms and living room.

Fill it up! It takes almost as much energy and water to wash a small load as a big one so hang on to those dirty socks!

Wash ‘em cold! - unless clothes are badly stained, wash in cold water; always rinse clothes in cold water.

Hang ‘em up! (or on drying racks inside but watch out for too much humidity causing condensation inside your home). Clothes dryers use an enormous amount of energy and, most of the time, are not essential when clothes will dry perfectly well outside.

Cut the power! Turn off office equipment (TVs, radios, computers) and other appliances (the toaster, DVD, coffee maker, stereo, microwave) when not needed, at night or on the weekends. Home electronic products use energy when they’re off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. (In the average home, 40% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.) At the very least pull the plug on these appliances if you go on vacation.

(Tip: If you put several appliances—your TV, DVD, VCR and stereo, for example—on a surge protector, you can turn them all off at once with the flip of a switch)

Don’t blow it! Use your exhaust fans sparingly; in just one hour they can remove a houseful of warmed or cooled air. BUT you do need to remove stale air, odors, and excess humidity from the house and bring in fresh air so consider installing a Heat Recovery Ventilation system. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Micro it!Use your microwave to reheat food; it uses 60% less energy than reheating on the stovetop.

Keep your cool! refrigerator coils—usually located on the back of the refrigerator—are used to expel heat, and if they are dusty it makes your fridge use more energy. Vacuum the coils once a year, especially if you have dogs and cats. Animal hair can really inhibit heat loss.

The 2030 Challenge

green — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:55:28 +0000

Energetechs has officially adopted the 2030 Challenge which aims to bring all new buildings and major renovations to carbon-neutral by 2030. The 2030 Challenge is designed to rapidly slow, then reverse, the increase in global greenhouse gas production. We’d like to encourage all members of the Missoula community who are committed to a sustainable future to consider signing on to the 2030 Challenge and join us in fighting global warming.

Credible scientists give us 10 years to be well on our way toward global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in order to avoid catastrophic climate change. Yet there are hundreds of coal-fired power plants currently on the drawing boards in the US. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the energy produced by these plants will go to operate buildings.

Buildings are the major source of demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG). Slowing the growth rate of GHG emissions and then reversing it over the next ten years is the key to keeping global warming under one degree centigrade (°C) above today’s level. It will require immediate action and a concerted global effort.

To accomplish this, Architecture 2030 has issued The 2030 Challenge asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following targets:

All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations shall be increased to:

60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).

These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum) renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.

(Source: http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html)

Check out architecture2030.org to learn more and to sign on to adopt the 2030 Challenge.