Montana Homes Collaborative
The Montana Homes Collaborative (MHC) is a group of residential construction stakeholders, including designers, builders, educators, and government officials who meet regularly to discuss energy efficiency building codes, construction best practices, and new developments in the construction industry. The focus of our discussions is based upon the application of best building science principles in energy efficiency, with an eye toward economic efficiency and housing affordability. We aim to compile our discussions into practical educational materials to help designers and builders build Montana’s next generation of energy-efficient and affordable homes.
Montana Roadmap to Home Energy Efficiency and Affordability
10 Recommendations of the Montana Homes Collaborative
This page identifies and explains the Collaborative’s 10 initial recommendations and proven techniques that are integral to building homes that are both affordable and sustainable by prioritizing energy-efficiency measures that will, in turn, allow homeowners to enjoy affordability and comfort over the life of their homes.
MHC Newsletters
The purpose of a weather-resistant barrier (WRB) in buildings is simple: it helps prevent moisture issues by preventing outside water, and the movement of outside air, from entering the building envelope. However, if water does enter the building envelope, a WRB should also allow that moisture to drain away or escape by evaporation. This seems simple enough but, in practice, many misconceptions lead to confusion and misapplications, especially when it comes to understanding how water vapor moves through a wall.
Montana Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary housing units that are typically located on the same property as a primary residence. They can be attached or detached from the main house and are often used to provide additional living space for family members or to generate rental income. ADUs have become increasingly popular in recent years to address the housing shortage in many cities. Some cities have even eased zoning restrictions to encourage the construction of ADUs.
Previously Published Newsletters
All previously produced newsletters can be found on the Montana Department of Environmental Quality – Energy page.
Residential Energy Code and Energy Efficiency | Montana DEQ (mt.gov)
MHC Meeting Minutes & Links
Next MHC Meeting:
Tuesday, March 12th – In-person during lunch at the 19th Annual Building Codes Education Conference.
Feb 12th: MHC Meeting Minutes
During this MHC Meeting we discussed Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH). Here is a link to an excellent article on HPWHs installed in the Northwest.
Cold Climate Demonstration Installation & Water Heater Installer Focus Group Research (NEEA)
Join our List Serve
The MHC meets virtually through Microsoft Teams every two months. Please feel free to send us your email and join the conversation and submit questions and comments for the next discussion.