We live in a 1904 house in Bozeman, Montana's historic Bon Ton district. Last year, we embarked on a "down to the studs" renovation. This website documents what we learned.

Montana contributes an average of 36 tons of CO2 per person each year, nearly double the US average according to the Dept of Energy. While some of our CO2 emissions can be attributed to Big Sky Country's big houses, big pickup trucks and little in the way of mass transit options, most CO2 comes from our big power plants. While some of Montana's electricity is generated from clean, renewable resources - hydropower, wind, biomass - most of it comes from burning coal and natural gas. The majority of electricity generated in Montana goes out of state to users in Arizona, Nevada and California.

While our house is just a tiny fraction of a much bigger problem, the gas and electricity it takes to keep us comfortable contributes. Thus, we felt obligated to do what we could to make our house as efficient as possible.

The decision wasn't just about "doing the right thing." It was a hedge against future energy cost increases. It was about using "eco-friendly" and "sustainable" building materials because we believe they make a better house. It was about being able to cost effectively harness solar power to generate electricity and heat. It was about supporting locally owned independent businesses rather than buying from anonymous "big box" chain stores, even if it costs a little bit more. It was about wanting a healthier home for our daughter to grow up in. It was about making sure our century old house was ready for the next one hundred years.

Like other Rocky Mountain boom towns, Bozeman has been growing rapidly of late, and with that growth come opportunties and challenges. Montana prides itself in being "The Last Best Place." We Bozemanites like to think Bozeman is the last best place to live in Montana.

Bozeman is fortunate to have a vibrant old downtown. Just off Main Street, you'll find Refuge Sustainable Building Materials. Refuge played an important role in our renovation story. If you haven't been there, put it on your list of things to do. Many of the materials we reference in this website can be found there.

BozemanHouse.com documents what we learned about sustainable building practices during our one year house renovation project: We incorporated alternative energy systems throughout our home: photo voltaic panels and solar thermal hot water systems, hydronic radiant floor heating, a heat exchanger, Montana's first legal gray water recycling system, polished concrete floors, recycled glass and cement countertops, super insulated walls and ceilings, drought tolerant landscaping and much, much more. By sharing our experiences with our neighbors, we hope it might help make YOUR renovation or building project a little more green and a little less frustrating.

BozemanHouse.com includes an easy to use resource list of green building materials, builders, subcontractors and practices, specifically focusing on the climate and lifestyle we enjoy in Southwestern Montana. To better illustrate the green renovation of a typical house, Bozemanhouse.com also includes our running commentary and personal observations during the renovation of our own house in Bozeman.

Ron Gompertz and Michelle Gantt
BozemanHouse.com
810 South Willson / Bozeman, MT