Homestead Alternatives
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HOMESTEAD ALTERNATIVES has been developing alternative energy solutions for homes and businesses since 1981. Our mission is to design energy efficient buildings that are both cost effective and easy on the environment. We believe that passive solar design and energy conservation should be standard components of every building.
With over 28 years of experience, we can help you find a way to harness the energy of the sun. Whether you have an active solar project, passive solar project, energy conservation requirements, or alternative power needs, we would love to share our passion and expertise with you.
Site selection and development services are available. We can measure your solar and wind potential, collect site specific temperatures, and perform detailed heat load analysis of existing buildings.
Sustainable Design since 1979
After completing the Associate in Applied Science program in Solar Engineering Technology, at Colorado Technical College, I transferred into the Mechanical Engineering Technology at Montana State University. By the early 1980s' I had an extensive background in solar engineering, and helped to build and operate a solar collector testing facility at MSU. I organized the MSU Renewable Energy Club, a student chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, in the fall of 1981. This knowledge was applied to real world projects and we discovered products and methods that really work in our climate. The isolated gain, passive solar designs were found to have excellent solar heating ability and that these features could be integrated into almost any style of home. The following link shows the temperature fluctuations and heat gain for an isolated gain system that was installed / built in 1985. The performance has not changed in 25 years of operation
Download: Isolated Gain systems.doc
This sunspace has provided warmth and comfort since 1985.
It supplies nearly 40% of the heat needed to keep 4800 square
feet of living space, comfortable through the cold Montana winters. Here is an example of our design calculations for this Belgrade, Montana home. Overall heat load analysis - (heat load.doc) Heat Load comparison - (energy consumption chart.doc)
This shed roof design was built in 1984.
As new as these projects were to their owners, in 1985, the fundamental design is as old as the sun. We have taken the science of solar design from the ancient Greeks, Romans and Aztecs. New and often high tech materials have given the tools to improve the 'performance' of something that mankind has been using for thousands of years.
Please take a look at our approach to making sunshine work for you.
Contact us by email at: solardesign@homesteadalternatives.com
Or call 406-388-0116
With over 28 years of experience, we can help you find a way to harness the energy of the sun. Whether you have an active solar project, passive solar project, energy conservation requirements, or alternative power needs, we would love to share our passion and expertise with you.
Site selection and development services are available. We can measure your solar and wind potential, collect site specific temperatures, and perform detailed heat load analysis of existing buildings.
Sustainable Design since 1979
After completing the Associate in Applied Science program in Solar Engineering Technology, at Colorado Technical College, I transferred into the Mechanical Engineering Technology at Montana State University. By the early 1980s' I had an extensive background in solar engineering, and helped to build and operate a solar collector testing facility at MSU. I organized the MSU Renewable Energy Club, a student chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, in the fall of 1981. This knowledge was applied to real world projects and we discovered products and methods that really work in our climate. The isolated gain, passive solar designs were found to have excellent solar heating ability and that these features could be integrated into almost any style of home. The following link shows the temperature fluctuations and heat gain for an isolated gain system that was installed / built in 1985. The performance has not changed in 25 years of operation
Download: Isolated Gain systems.doc
This sunspace has provided warmth and comfort since 1985.
It supplies nearly 40% of the heat needed to keep 4800 square
feet of living space, comfortable through the cold Montana winters. Here is an example of our design calculations for this Belgrade, Montana home. Overall heat load analysis - (heat load.doc) Heat Load comparison - (energy consumption chart.doc)
This shed roof design was built in 1984.
As new as these projects were to their owners, in 1985, the fundamental design is as old as the sun. We have taken the science of solar design from the ancient Greeks, Romans and Aztecs. New and often high tech materials have given the tools to improve the 'performance' of something that mankind has been using for thousands of years.
Please take a look at our approach to making sunshine work for you.
Contact us by email at: solardesign@homesteadalternatives.com
Or call 406-388-0116
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