We live in Bozeman, Montana's historic Bon Ton district in a house originally built in 1904. In 2007 we embarked on a year long "down to the studs" renovation and remodel of the house. This website documents the rebuilding process and what we learned during countless hours of research as we tried to make well-informed decisions. We hope you'll explore the subject headings in the navigation bar and will find the information we compiled useful.

Montana contributes an average of 36 tons of CO2 per person each year. That's nearly double the US average according to the Dept of Energy. The majority of Montana's CO2 is emitted by coal and natural gas burning electric generating plants. (Vulcan GhG Emissions Study). Most of that electricity goes to out of state utilities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and California. Power generation is an economic driver in Montana, and politically challenging. It's difficult for us as individuals to change that. But we do have control over our individual decisions. A significant amount of Montana's per capita CO2 emissions can be attributed to on-road vehicles, and Montana's preference for large SUVs and pickup trucks doesn't help. We can each make a difference by choosing to drive more fuel efficient cars. But an even greater amount of greenhouse gas emissions comes from heating and lighting our residences.

While any one house is just a tiny fraction of that, the decisions we make individually have a cumulative impact. So when it came time for our renovation, we felt obligated to do what we could to make our house as energy efficient and "green" 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 historic downtown. Drive down Rouse Street, and you'll find Refuge Sustainable Building Materials adjacent to Planet Green and Lone Mountain Gym. 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 Ave/ Bozeman, MT