Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde elder housing duplex. Source: BetterBuiltNW
10 Recommendations of the Montana Homes Collaborative
By Carl Little, NCAT Energy Analyst
Introduction
In 2021 and 2022, with record-high housing prices and increasing energy costs, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) partnered to tackle these challenges by establishing the Montana Homes Collaborative. The goal of the Collaborative, comprised of housing stakeholders, is to determine best practices for building affordable and energy-efficient homes in Montana. In these times of energy uncertainty, our homes must be efficient to act as a buffer against future energy cost fluctuations. 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.
The recommendations on this page are centered around energy-efficient design based on tried-and-true building practices. Such measures allow homeowners to enjoy consistent temperatures across every room and a constant supply of fresh, filtered air that helps reduce indoor pollutants, dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Fortunately, the building industry is increasingly focused on building science, an area of study based on observation, testing, and retesting. Many events of the past, especially the energy crises of the 1970s, increased our interest in understanding how buildings behave, especially regarding energy use. Many of the early efforts to build more energy-efficient buildings led to unforeseen consequences to occupant health and building durability. Building science continues to evolve with experience and testing, and the recommendations on this page have been studied through building science and incorporated into building codes, with some measures exceeding code requirements.
Recommendation 1: Building Size, Shape
Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley housing project. Source BetterBuiltNW
The first principle that affordable home designers should consider is the size of a home. Generally, smaller homes are more affordable and, if built to applicable codes or to the recommendations of the Collaborative, use less energy than a larger home built to the same standards. Current trends in housing – especially single-family homes – are toward larger and larger homes. The Collaborative discussed whether to recommend a square-foot-per-occupant standard but ultimately decided only to recommend careful consideration of the overall square footage of a home. Designers in the Collaborative made the point that home size is a very personal consideration with many variables for each family.
The shape of a home also affects affordability. Complex shapes and roof lines, while often aesthetically pleasing, increase construction costs. A simple rectangle-shaped home is the most affordable in terms of both construction cost and energy efficiency. Every corner and bump-out in a complex design creates more exterior exposure that will need added insulation and air sealing, whereas a simple rectangle minimizes exterior wall space.
Recommendation 2: Orientation
Orientation can allow homeowners to take advantage of the sun. By facing the long side of a home to the south and the short sides to the east and west, a house will capture solar heat in the winter and block solar gain in the summer. To minimize overheating during the spring and fall, designers should limit the amount of west-facing glass. When positioning buildings to maximize solar benefit, overhangs can help manage heat gain and glare. Energy consumption for space heating can be reduced by locating rooms so that the daily sequence of activities align with the path of the sun to take advantage of available solar energy. This approach is referred to as climate-responsive design. Moreover, a home with a larger south-facing roof slope is perfect for adding solar panels at a later date, if not included in the initial design.
Recommendation 3: Foundations
Frost-Protected Shallow Foundation. Source: National Centers for Environmental Information
In discussing the different types of foundations, the Collaborative recommends the frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as the most cost-effective foundation with no loss in energy efficiency.
A FPSF is a very practical alternative to deeper, more costly foundations in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and potential for frost heave. FPSF results in a shallower frost penetration depth around the building due to soil that has been warmed by both the building and geothermal heat. The insulation around the foundation perimeter conserves and redirects heat loss through the slab toward the soil below the foundation. Geothermal heat from the underlying ground also helps to warm the soil and raise the frost depth around the building.
FPSFs are most suitable for slab-on-grade homes on sites with moderate- to low-sloping grades. Slab-on-grade FPSFs can be constructed with a single concrete pour, eliminating multiple inspections and reducing construction time.
The International Residential Code (IRC) allows construction of a FPSF in heated buildings.
The FPSF is a special case that is addressed in Section R403.3 of the 2021 IRC. An FPSF is only allowed in buildings with a monthly mean temperature maintained at a minimum of 64°F. The reason for this requirement is that this foundation strategy is dependent on heat generated by the building warming the ground below the footing. Section R403.3 specifies vertical R-value, minimum depth of the insulation, and horizontal R-values at corners and non-corner walls. The IRC states that R-values greater than those specified by R403.3 may be required to meet energy conservation standards. R-10, as required by the IECC, becomes the minimum R-value allowed for most counties in Montana.
Recommendation 4: Wall Assemblies and Building Envelope
The 2021 IECC energy code requires R-21 for above-ground walls. The Collaborative considered a number of wall assemblies, including double-studded walls, walls with continuous exterior insulation, structural insulated panels (SIPs), and staggered stud walls to meet or exceed code requirements. Each has benefits and each is designed to stop thermal bridging and create a tighter air-sealed building envelope. Thermal bridging occurs when the studs in a wall, which have less insulation quality than the surrounding insulation, allow heated or cooled air to escape to the outside through these less insulated portions of a wall. However, it is estimated by the Montana Building Industry Association that over 90% of houses built in Montana use conventional framing, with 2×6 framing members. Alternatives to this conventional method of building are, depending on location and availability of materials, usually more expensive with a longer payback period than most homeowners are willing to accept. The Collaborative concluded that instead of recommending a particular wall assembly, builders should research their local market for cost and availability. For instance, Montana Habitat for Humanity is utilizing SIPs in its new homes in some areas with good results in cost and energy efficiency.
Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley. Source: BetterBuiltNW
The Collaborative concluded that quality insulation and meticulous air sealing of the building envelope should be emphasized for their greater cost savings and reduced payback time.
For insulation, it’s not just the amount of insulation but also the quality of the installation that makes all the difference. Quality insulation in energy-efficient homes improves insulation effectiveness, especially when using fiberglass-batt insulation, which is prone to defects, including gaps and areas of compression. One way of ensuring quality insulation is to utilize advanced framing. This system of framing, compared to more conventional framing methods, reduces the wood frame percentage of the wall while maintaining structural integrity. This cost-effective framing system results in a more energy-efficient home with lower material and labor costs. The core of the system is that walls are constructed with 2×6 or larger studs 24” on center instead of 16” and corners are constructed to allow insulation to be extended into the corner instead of the more conventional solid triple-studded corners that do not allow for insulation. Homeowners that are interested in utilizing advance framing should inquire with their designer and building contractor. The Engineered Wood Association (APA) has more information on advanced framing and a downloadable construction guide available on its website at apawood.org/advanced-framing.
Fiberglass batts are the most affordable option for wall insulation; however, they are notoriously hard to install without gaps or areas of compression. Gaps occur in corners and around electrical boxes, plumbing, and openings through a wall. Compression occurs when batts are stuffed behind wiring or plumbing, or other mechanical devices, reducing the effectiveness of the insulation. In the real world, a code-compliant R-21 wall, even with best practices, may end up effectively as only an R-15 wall, and in typical installations may be less than R-11. To counter this deficiency, designers and builders often incorporate a spray foam installation that expands to fill gaps and voids. However, the tradeoff is added expense and potential off-gassing from the spray foam into the habitable space. A system coined flash and batt utilizes spray foam in a thin layer to seal and fill any voids with the remainder of the cavity filled with batt insulation. The collaborative is hesitant to recommend spray foam because of expense and off-gassing potential and instead encourages the use of dense-packed cellulose or rock wool insulation if additional insulation measures are warranted.
Roofs and attics are among the most effective places to spend time and resources insulating and sealing for leaks. For affordability, attics and roofs should be constructed using engineered trusses that includes a raised heel, or what is commonly known as an energy truss. This raised heel on the truss allows full depth of insulation to be extended over the home’s exterior walls, ensuring there are no gaps or compression of the insulation where the ceiling meets exterior walls.
The 2021 IECC energy code path requirement for ceilings and attics is R-49 insulation. R-38 meets code if that level is achieved over the entire attic when an energy truss is used. Additionally, any attic hatches must be insulated to the same level and the opening sealed with a gasket.
Recommendation 5: Windows and Doors
Triple-pane window installation. Source: BetterBuiltNW
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) provides window labeling that is required by the energy code. The lower the U-factor, the better the window performs at stopping heat flow. The lower the U-factor, the warmer the interior surface will be, improving comfort. A window with a U-factor of 0.30, as required by the energy code, is equivalent to approximately R-3. By comparison, the surrounding wall should be R-21 or better. In addition to the R-value of the glass opening, homeowners and designers should pay particular attention to the quality of the air seal of windows and doors. Because windows and doors are a major source of air leakage and heat loss, they are one of the best areas to invest in higher quality to minimize energy loss.
Recommendation 6: Heating and Cooling
High-efficiency heating and cooling systems are engineered and installed to deliver more comfort, improved indoor air quality, and quieter operation. A heating and cooling system must be designed, installed, and commissioned properly to perform well. Traditionally in Montana, natural-gas-fired boilers or forced-air furnaces have been the heating sources of choice, but the Collaborative is recommending that new homes utilize newer technology of cold-climate heat pumps (CCHP). According to the U.S. Department of Energy in a news release in July 2022 titled, “DOE Announces Breakthrough in Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology,” CCHPs can provide high-efficiency heating in very cold temperatures without producing greenhouse gas emissions and can save families as much as $500 a year on utility bills. For this reason, the Collaborative recommends the use of CCHPs with ductless mini-splits for maximum efficiency and affordability. The challenge in Montana is that this technology is new enough that many HVAC contractors are not aware of its availability or are not familiar with the calculations for the appropriate size of a unit.
Recommendation 7: Ventilation
In the past, building codes have assumed that “fresh air” would be provided through operable windows and normal leaks in the building exterior walls, ceiling, and floor. Research has shown that we can’t rely on these “leaks” to provide adequate ventilation. In the meantime, we have introduced thousands of chemicals into our houses through building materials, finishes, packaging, furniture, carpets, clothing, and a myriad of other products. Effective ventilation systems remove moisture, odors, and chemicals from the air and replace it with fresh, filtered outdoor air. This can be accomplished by a properly designed heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). HRVs recover heat from exhaust air, while ERVs recover heat and moisture from the exhaust air and transfer it to supply air. Traditionally, HRVs were used in cold climates because ERVs were known to fail from frost accumulation. However, as more research is being conducted and better technologies are being utilized, ERVs are becoming more common in cold, dry climates like Montana. Designers and homeowners should discuss and decide the best alternative for their area and contractor availability. More information on these systems is available from the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at cchrc.org/heat-recovery-ventilators/.
Recommendation 8: Lighting and Appliances
Light emitting diode (LED) lights are now commonplace and provide better lighting performance, higher efficiency, and lower cost. Lighting with the ENERGY STAR label offer significant cost savings and longer lifetimes compared to standard products and should be utilized in any new or existing home.
In addition, a comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can reduce energy cost, while increasing performance, quality, and durability. Since appliances account for nearly 20% of the energy usage in an average household, it makes good sense to purchase appliances that will save money in the long run.
Recommendation 9: Independent Testing
Energy-efficient homes should undergo a rigorous testing routine during and at the completion of construction, including blower door testing to test the building envelope’s airtightness. Current Montana code calls for a minimum of 4 air changes per hour @ 50 pascals (4 ACH50). However, the Collaborative recommends a much tighter house, with 2 ACH50 as a minimal goal.
Additionally, if ducts are present in the house, duct tightness, exhaust fan airflows, supply register airflows, and refrigerant for heat pumps should all be tested before occupancy. Duct tightness testing is only required by code when some of the ducts or the air handler is located outside of the conditioned space, but it is good practice regardless of duct location.
Recommendation 10: Solar Ready
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde elder housing rooftop solar. Source: BetterBuiltNW
Solar photovoltaic systems are becoming more cost-effective and, although the homeowner may not be ready for solar at the time a home is constructed, it is a smart practice to invest in ensuring that the house can easily add solar when timing and resources are right. The added features that are easily incorporated into the design and construction phase include: proper solar orientation with solar exposure within +/- 45 degrees of south, a roof design that accounts for solar array, 1-inch metal conduit from the proposed solar array location to the future inverter location and from the designated inverter location to the electrical service panel, and a 4-inch chase or two 2-inch chases from the utility room to the attic space below the future solar array location.
2024 Update
In the 2023 session, the Montana Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, a number of pieces of legislation meant to create more affordable housing in Montana. While none of the legislation includes energy-efficiency measures or changes in the building codes, the legislation is designed to lead to a number of alternative forms of housing. These laws will take effect January 1, 2024. The following is a summary of the laws passed and signed into law.
SB 528: Revise zoning laws related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
This law requires municipalities to adopt regulations that allow a minimum of one ADU on a lot or parcel that contains a single-family dwelling. After the law takes effect, homeowners will, by state law, have the right to build ADUs on their property. ADUs are defined in the law as, “… a self-contained living unit on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling of greater square footage that includes its own cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities and complies with or is otherwise exempt from any applicable building code, fire code, and public health and safety regulations…” The ADU may be attached, detached, or internal to the single-family dwelling on a lot or parcel. Additionally, if the auxiliary dwelling unit is detached from or attached to the single-family dwelling, it may not be more than 75% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Municipalities may not:
- Require that a lot or parcel have additional parking to accommodate an ADU or require fees in lieu of additional parking;
- Require that an ADU match the exterior design, roof pitch, or finishing materials of the single-family dwelling;
- Require that the single-family dwelling or the ADU unit be occupied by the owner;
- Require a familial, marital, or employment relationship between the occupants of the single-family dwelling and the occupants of the ADU;
- Assess impact fees on the construction of an ADU;
- Require improvements to public streets as a condition of permitting an ADU, except as necessary to reconstruct or repair a public street that is disturbed as a result of the construction of the ADU;
- Set maximum building heights, minimum setback requirements, minimum lot sizes, maximum lot coverages, or minimum building frontages for auxiliary dwelling units that are more restrictive than those for the single-family dwelling on the lot;
- Impose more onerous development standards on an ADU beyond those set forth in this section; or
- Require a restrictive covenant concerning an ADU on a parcel zoned for residential use by a single-family dwelling. This subsection may not be construed to prohibit restrictive covenants concerning ADUs entered into between private parties, but the municipality may not condition a permit, license, or use of an ADU on the adoption or implementation of a restrictive covenant entered into between private parties.
SB 382: The Montana Land Use Planning Act
This law applies to towns and cities in counties of at least 70,000 people. Signed by the governor on May 17, 2023, this bill requires municipalities of 5,000 residents or more in a county with a population at or exceeding 70,000 to plan for the housing they need to accommodate population growth. The new law will shift public participation in land-use planning to earlier in the process by inviting more public input as growth plans are developed and then limit the ability to stop housing developments later in the process at the permitting level. It also requires that local zoning codes treat manufactured homes like site-built houses, allowing greater utilization of less-expensive manufactured housing.
HB 819: Create Montana Community Reinvestment Act
This law allocates $175 million toward housing initiatives and authorizes an additional $50 million for low-interest loans to developers who build rent-restricted apartments.
SB 245: Revise Municipal Zoning to Allow Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development
This law revises municipal zoning to allow multifamily and mixed-use development requires that cities of 7,000 or more residents allow apartment-style housing in most areas set aside as a commercial zone.
SB 323: Allow for Duplex, Triplex, and Fourplex Housing in City Zoning
This law allows for duplex, triplex, and fourplex housing in city zoning and makes duplex housing allowable on any home lot in cities with 5,000 or more residents, preempting regulations that currently set aside some areas for single-family homes only.
Published by NCAT with funding from NEEA
For one Montana rancher, success starts in the soil
Combining worms and biochar has big potential for soil health
In the dry, rugged hills of Eastern Montana, third-generation rancher Steve Charter has managed to carve out a living practicing his own brand of regenerative agriculture. It starts with caring for his soil at a microscopic level to help the rest of the food chain flourish. His current prize crop is an animal that no livestock grower would think to raise, but one that’s essential for a healthy ecosystem: worms.
“I’ve been doing it for about seven years, and we have several worm beds that we feed,” Charter said. “We’re focusing more on what’s going on under the soil than on the surface–that’s where all the really new exciting ideas are happening.”
Adding New Life to the Land
Charter isn’t using the worms themselves–more what they leave behind. Vermicast is, simply put, composted worm poop. Their “castings” create a rich black loam packed with beneficial organisms, natural acids and hormones. The worms’ digestive systems break down nutrients like nitrogen and calcium, making them easier for plants to absorb. Vermicast is almost always a net improvement to any soil.
The first thing Charter did with the vermicast was mix it in his water tanks so the cattle would ingest the microorganisms. “It has amazing health and production benefits. It’s almost magic in a way,” he said.
On his family’s ranch north of Billings, Charter is constantly experimenting with ways to add new life to the land by manufacturing biodiversity with a cocktail of unlikely ingredients. Beneficial microbes and fungi are generated through a process that uses vermicast and biochar to infuse tiny life and nutrients into the grassland pastures.
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance and the byproduct of superheated organic matter that can be turned into compost, animal fodder, and even building materials. When used correctly, biochar can pack a punch far above its weight in building soil structure and fertility. Made up of millions of microscopic cells, there is as much surface area in a teaspoon of biochar as in a football field.
“When we do our vermicast or biochar, it passes through the manure and gets charged with all this biological activity,” Charter said. “There are major studies with good data showing that biochar fed to animals has really strong health effects. It’s possible to restore the range by using our animals to spread the biology and get them to do the work for us.”
Plowing, overgrazing, chemicals and invasive species have degraded a range that’s been in constant production since the 1800s. Charter says he has implemented innovative grazing practices since taking over the ranch in the 80s, aiming to recreate the buffalo’s effect on the land.
Soil health isn’t just on the minds of producers like Charter. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is asking Congress to invest in biochar research to provide more insight into its larger-scale applications through the next Farm Bill under the bipartisan Biochar Research Network Act. If passed, the bill will authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a national-scale research program to test different biochar types in different soils and circumstances. With better research will come innovation and practical tools for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and businesses to lean into biochar as a climate solution.
‘We don’t have to know it all’
Modest and self-deprecating, Charter admits he’s still learning about regenerative agriculture. He says the industry has a long way to go before these practices are used on a large scale, but things are constantly changing. Lingering questions about research and scalability can be answered with more research and government funding from the Farm Bill currently winding its way through Congress.
“There’s a lot of pieces to the puzzle,” Charter said. “Our soil knowledge has really advanced in the last 15 years. To get benefits, we don’t have to know it all. We can just start experimenting. It’s going to take some key research, but I don’t think we need to let that stop us.”
Montana Roadmap to Home Energy Efficiency and Affordability
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde elder housing duplex. Source: BetterBuiltNW
10 Recommendations of the Montana Homes Collaborative
By Carl Little, NCAT Energy Analyst
Introduction
In 2021 and 2022, with record-high housing prices and increasing energy costs, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) partnered to tackle these challenges by establishing the Montana Homes Collaborative. The goal of the Collaborative, comprised of housing stakeholders, is to determine best practices for building affordable and energy-efficient homes in Montana. In these times of energy uncertainty, our homes must be efficient to act as a buffer against future energy cost fluctuations. 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.
The recommendations on this page are centered around energy-efficient design based on tried-and-true building practices. Such measures allow homeowners to enjoy consistent temperatures across every room and a constant supply of fresh, filtered air that helps reduce indoor pollutants, dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Fortunately, the building industry is increasingly focused on building science, an area of study based on observation, testing, and retesting. Many events of the past, especially the energy crises of the 1970s, increased our interest in understanding how buildings behave, especially regarding energy use. Many of the early efforts to build more energy-efficient buildings led to unforeseen consequences to occupant health and building durability. Building science continues to evolve with experience and testing, and the recommendations on this page have been studied through building science and incorporated into building codes, with some measures exceeding code requirements.
Recommendation 1: Building Size, Shape
Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley housing project. Source BetterBuiltNW
The first principle that affordable home designers should consider is the size of a home. Generally, smaller homes are more affordable and, if built to applicable codes or to the recommendations of the Collaborative, use less energy than a larger home built to the same standards. Current trends in housing – especially single-family homes – are toward larger and larger homes. The Collaborative discussed whether to recommend a square-foot-per-occupant standard but ultimately decided only to recommend careful consideration of the overall square footage of a home. Designers in the Collaborative made the point that home size is a very personal consideration with many variables for each family.
The shape of a home also affects affordability. Complex shapes and roof lines, while often aesthetically pleasing, increase construction costs. A simple rectangle-shaped home is the most affordable in terms of both construction cost and energy efficiency. Every corner and bump-out in a complex design creates more exterior exposure that will need added insulation and air sealing, whereas a simple rectangle minimizes exterior wall space.
Recommendation 2: Orientation
Orientation can allow homeowners to take advantage of the sun. By facing the long side of a home to the south and the short sides to the east and west, a house will capture solar heat in the winter and block solar gain in the summer. To minimize overheating during the spring and fall, designers should limit the amount of west-facing glass. When positioning buildings to maximize solar benefit, overhangs can help manage heat gain and glare. Energy consumption for space heating can be reduced by locating rooms so that the daily sequence of activities align with the path of the sun to take advantage of available solar energy. This approach is referred to as climate-responsive design. Moreover, a home with a larger south-facing roof slope is perfect for adding solar panels at a later date, if not included in the initial design.
Recommendation 3: Foundations
Frost-Protected Shallow Foundation. Source: National Centers for Environmental Information
In discussing the different types of foundations, the Collaborative recommends the frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as the most cost-effective foundation with no loss in energy efficiency.
A FPSF is a very practical alternative to deeper, more costly foundations in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and potential for frost heave. FPSF results in a shallower frost penetration depth around the building due to soil that has been warmed by both the building and geothermal heat. The insulation around the foundation perimeter conserves and redirects heat loss through the slab toward the soil below the foundation. Geothermal heat from the underlying ground also helps to warm the soil and raise the frost depth around the building.
FPSFs are most suitable for slab-on-grade homes on sites with moderate- to low-sloping grades. Slab-on-grade FPSFs can be constructed with a single concrete pour, eliminating multiple inspections and reducing construction time.
The International Residential Code (IRC) allows construction of a FPSF in heated buildings.
The FPSF is a special case that is addressed in Section R403.3 of the 2021 IRC. An FPSF is only allowed in buildings with a monthly mean temperature maintained at a minimum of 64°F. The reason for this requirement is that this foundation strategy is dependent on heat generated by the building warming the ground below the footing. Section R403.3 specifies vertical R-value, minimum depth of the insulation, and horizontal R-values at corners and non-corner walls. The IRC states that R-values greater than those specified by R403.3 may be required to meet energy conservation standards. R-10, as required by the IECC, becomes the minimum R-value allowed for most counties in Montana.
Recommendation 4: Wall Assemblies and Building Envelope
The 2021 IECC energy code requires R-21 for above-ground walls. The Collaborative considered a number of wall assemblies, including double-studded walls, walls with continuous exterior insulation, structural insulated panels (SIPs), and staggered stud walls to meet or exceed code requirements. Each has benefits and each is designed to stop thermal bridging and create a tighter air-sealed building envelope. Thermal bridging occurs when the studs in a wall, which have less insulation quality than the surrounding insulation, allow heated or cooled air to escape to the outside through these less insulated portions of a wall. However, it is estimated by the Montana Building Industry Association that over 90% of houses built in Montana use conventional framing, with 2×6 framing members. Alternatives to this conventional method of building are, depending on location and availability of materials, usually more expensive with a longer payback period than most homeowners are willing to accept. The Collaborative concluded that instead of recommending a particular wall assembly, builders should research their local market for cost and availability. For instance, Montana Habitat for Humanity is utilizing SIPs in its new homes in some areas with good results in cost and energy efficiency.
Habitat for Humanity Flathead Valley. Source: BetterBuiltNW
The Collaborative concluded that quality insulation and meticulous air sealing of the building envelope should be emphasized for their greater cost savings and reduced payback time.
For insulation, it’s not just the amount of insulation but also the quality of the installation that makes all the difference. Quality insulation in energy-efficient homes improves insulation effectiveness, especially when using fiberglass-batt insulation, which is prone to defects, including gaps and areas of compression. One way of ensuring quality insulation is to utilize advanced framing. This system of framing, compared to more conventional framing methods, reduces the wood frame percentage of the wall while maintaining structural integrity. This cost-effective framing system results in a more energy-efficient home with lower material and labor costs. The core of the system is that walls are constructed with 2×6 or larger studs 24” on center instead of 16” and corners are constructed to allow insulation to be extended into the corner instead of the more conventional solid triple-studded corners that do not allow for insulation. Homeowners that are interested in utilizing advance framing should inquire with their designer and building contractor. The Engineered Wood Association (APA) has more information on advanced framing and a downloadable construction guide available on its website at apawood.org/advanced-framing.
Fiberglass batts are the most affordable option for wall insulation; however, they are notoriously hard to install without gaps or areas of compression. Gaps occur in corners and around electrical boxes, plumbing, and openings through a wall. Compression occurs when batts are stuffed behind wiring or plumbing, or other mechanical devices, reducing the effectiveness of the insulation. In the real world, a code-compliant R-21 wall, even with best practices, may end up effectively as only an R-15 wall, and in typical installations may be less than R-11. To counter this deficiency, designers and builders often incorporate a spray foam installation that expands to fill gaps and voids. However, the tradeoff is added expense and potential off-gassing from the spray foam into the habitable space. A system coined flash and batt utilizes spray foam in a thin layer to seal and fill any voids with the remainder of the cavity filled with batt insulation. The collaborative is hesitant to recommend spray foam because of expense and off-gassing potential and instead encourages the use of dense-packed cellulose or rock wool insulation if additional insulation measures are warranted.
Roofs and attics are among the most effective places to spend time and resources insulating and sealing for leaks. For affordability, attics and roofs should be constructed using engineered trusses that includes a raised heel, or what is commonly known as an energy truss. This raised heel on the truss allows full depth of insulation to be extended over the home’s exterior walls, ensuring there are no gaps or compression of the insulation where the ceiling meets exterior walls.
The 2021 IECC energy code path requirement for ceilings and attics is R-49 insulation. R-38 meets code if that level is achieved over the entire attic when an energy truss is used. Additionally, any attic hatches must be insulated to the same level and the opening sealed with a gasket.
Recommendation 5: Windows and Doors
Triple-pane window installation. Source: BetterBuiltNW
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) provides window labeling that is required by the energy code. The lower the U-factor, the better the window performs at stopping heat flow. The lower the U-factor, the warmer the interior surface will be, improving comfort. A window with a U-factor of 0.30, as required by the energy code, is equivalent to approximately R-3. By comparison, the surrounding wall should be R-21 or better. In addition to the R-value of the glass opening, homeowners and designers should pay particular attention to the quality of the air seal of windows and doors. Because windows and doors are a major source of air leakage and heat loss, they are one of the best areas to invest in higher quality to minimize energy loss.
Recommendation 6: Heating and Cooling
High-efficiency heating and cooling systems are engineered and installed to deliver more comfort, improved indoor air quality, and quieter operation. A heating and cooling system must be designed, installed, and commissioned properly to perform well. Traditionally in Montana, natural-gas-fired boilers or forced-air furnaces have been the heating sources of choice, but the Collaborative is recommending that new homes utilize newer technology of cold-climate heat pumps (CCHP). According to the U.S. Department of Energy in a news release in July 2022 titled, “DOE Announces Breakthrough in Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology,” CCHPs can provide high-efficiency heating in very cold temperatures without producing greenhouse gas emissions and can save families as much as $500 a year on utility bills. For this reason, the Collaborative recommends the use of CCHPs with ductless mini-splits for maximum efficiency and affordability. The challenge in Montana is that this technology is new enough that many HVAC contractors are not aware of its availability or are not familiar with the calculations for the appropriate size of a unit.
Recommendation 7: Ventilation
In the past, building codes have assumed that “fresh air” would be provided through operable windows and normal leaks in the building exterior walls, ceiling, and floor. Research has shown that we can’t rely on these “leaks” to provide adequate ventilation. In the meantime, we have introduced thousands of chemicals into our houses through building materials, finishes, packaging, furniture, carpets, clothing, and a myriad of other products. Effective ventilation systems remove moisture, odors, and chemicals from the air and replace it with fresh, filtered outdoor air. This can be accomplished by a properly designed heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). HRVs recover heat from exhaust air, while ERVs recover heat and moisture from the exhaust air and transfer it to supply air. Traditionally, HRVs were used in cold climates because ERVs were known to fail from frost accumulation. However, as more research is being conducted and better technologies are being utilized, ERVs are becoming more common in cold, dry climates like Montana. Designers and homeowners should discuss and decide the best alternative for their area and contractor availability. More information on these systems is available from the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at cchrc.org/heat-recovery-ventilators/.
Recommendation 8: Lighting and Appliances
In addition, a comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can reduce energy cost, while increasing performance, quality, and durability. Since appliances account for nearly 20% of the energy usage in an average household, it makes good sense to purchase appliances that will save money in the long run.
Recommendation 9: Independent Testing
Energy-efficient homes should undergo a rigorous testing routine during and at the completion of construction, including blower door testing to test the building envelope’s airtightness. Current Montana code calls for a minimum of 4 air changes per hour @ 50 pascals (4 ACH50). However, the Collaborative recommends a much tighter house, with 2 ACH50 as a minimal goal.
Additionally, if ducts are present in the house, duct tightness, exhaust fan airflows, supply register airflows, and refrigerant for heat pumps should all be tested before occupancy. Duct tightness testing is only required by code when some of the ducts or the air handler is located outside of the conditioned space, but it is good practice regardless of duct location.
Recommendation 10: Solar Ready
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde elder housing rooftop solar. Source: BetterBuiltNW
Solar photovoltaic systems are becoming more cost-effective and, although the homeowner may not be ready for solar at the time a home is constructed, it is a smart practice to invest in ensuring that the house can easily add solar when timing and resources are right. The added features that are easily incorporated into the design and construction phase include: proper solar orientation with solar exposure within +/- 45 degrees of south, a roof design that accounts for solar array, 1-inch metal conduit from the proposed solar array location to the future inverter location and from the designated inverter location to the electrical service panel, and a 4-inch chase or two 2-inch chases from the utility room to the attic space below the future solar array location.
2024 Update
In the 2023 session, the Montana Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, a number of pieces of legislation meant to create more affordable housing in Montana. While none of the legislation includes energy-efficiency measures or changes in the building codes, the legislation is designed to lead to a number of alternative forms of housing. These laws will take effect January 1, 2024. The following is a summary of the laws passed and signed into law.
SB 528: Revise zoning laws related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
This law requires municipalities to adopt regulations that allow a minimum of one ADU on a lot or parcel that contains a single-family dwelling. After the law takes effect, homeowners will, by state law, have the right to build ADUs on their property. ADUs are defined in the law as, “… a self-contained living unit on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling of greater square footage that includes its own cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities and complies with or is otherwise exempt from any applicable building code, fire code, and public health and safety regulations…” The ADU may be attached, detached, or internal to the single-family dwelling on a lot or parcel. Additionally, if the auxiliary dwelling unit is detached from or attached to the single-family dwelling, it may not be more than 75% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Municipalities may not:
SB 382: The Montana Land Use Planning Act
This law applies to towns and cities in counties of at least 70,000 people. Signed by the governor on May 17, 2023, this bill requires municipalities of 5,000 residents or more in a county with a population at or exceeding 70,000 to plan for the housing they need to accommodate population growth. The new law will shift public participation in land-use planning to earlier in the process by inviting more public input as growth plans are developed and then limit the ability to stop housing developments later in the process at the permitting level. It also requires that local zoning codes treat manufactured homes like site-built houses, allowing greater utilization of less-expensive manufactured housing.
HB 819: Create Montana Community Reinvestment Act
This law allocates $175 million toward housing initiatives and authorizes an additional $50 million for low-interest loans to developers who build rent-restricted apartments.
SB 245: Revise Municipal Zoning to Allow Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development
This law revises municipal zoning to allow multifamily and mixed-use development requires that cities of 7,000 or more residents allow apartment-style housing in most areas set aside as a commercial zone.
SB 323: Allow for Duplex, Triplex, and Fourplex Housing in City Zoning
This law allows for duplex, triplex, and fourplex housing in city zoning and makes duplex housing allowable on any home lot in cities with 5,000 or more residents, preempting regulations that currently set aside some areas for single-family homes only.
Published by NCAT with funding from NEEA
Helena Habitat for Humanity Adopts Double Studded Walls
Education, Research, and Community at Chelenzo Farms
Chelenzo Farms sprouted from the unexpected move of a physician and a writer from New York during the height of the pandemic. Chelsea Hollander and Lorenzo Dominguez found land in Cerrillos, New Mexico, 20 miles south of Santa Fe. There, the husband-and-wife team combined their names and turned dreams into reality — Chelenzo Farms.
“Our overall focus is on regenerative agriculture, dryland farming, and ecosystem restoration in the high mountain desert of New Mexico, and our operating philosophy rests on the three pillars of Education, Research, and Community,” said Lorenzo.
Lorenzo made it a mission to talk with as many landowners as possible surrounding him in a 30-mile radius to learn about the local knowledge base. They use ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture’s Internship Hub to connect with interns, joined NCAT’s Soil for Water peer-to-peer network, and added their place on Soil for Water’s Regenerative Atlas of America.
The May 2021 move to their 350-acre homestead in New Mexico was the downshift they needed. They now grow their own plant-based diet, along with using livestock to restore their land and utilizing Indigenous practices to conserve water.
More than 215 farmers have joined the free and voluntary Soil for Water network, a regenerative agriculture project supported in part by NCAT and NCAT’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program. The project aims to include farmers who discover and share land management practices that improve soil health, catch more water in soil, reduce erosion, sustain diverse plant and animal life, and filter out pollutants, all while improving profitability.
“We live and aspire to grow in the desert of New Mexico. Water has been an invaluable resource around here for centuries and access to it is strained exponentially each year. This is why we are focused on harvesting water from nature with earthworks and methods used by Indigenous populations around the world for thousands of years,” said Lorenzo.
Photo courtesy Chelenzo Farms.
Program Expanded for Women Beginning Sustainable Livestock Farms
‘Women, Livestock, and the Land’ Adds Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia
JACKSON, MS – Women who are beginning sustainable livestock operations in five Gulf-region states will soon have the chance to join a program that can provide them with trusted technical assistance and connect them with a growing national network of their peers.
The program, “Women, Livestock, and the Land,” (WLL) aims to help farmers and ranchers from historically underserved, limited resource, or socially disadvantaged backgrounds start their livestock operations on the right foot. They will learn information and skills to improve the sustainability and profitability of their farms, including goal setting, soil health, regenerative grazing, animal handling, health, equipment and tools, and direct marketing. It is sponsored by the USDA through its Grazing Land Conservation Initiative.
Participating in “Women, Livestock, and the Land” also gives them an opportunity to connect with mentors and newly formed, regionally focused peer-to-peer networks.
The pilot project was offered in Arkansas and Tennessee, and it will now be expanded to include farmers and ranchers in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia.
Applications for “Women, Livestock, and the Land” opened December 19, 2023, and will end on April 30, 2024. To apply for the program, click here.
Past participants in the WLL program stated that this educational opportunity was highly beneficial to them as beginning farmers. “This course was a total game changer for me as I am very new to farming,” one participant wrote in her final review. Another shared, “This course has enlightened me on the community of women in farming.” A third woman said the course “definitely gave me more of an idea of things to be aware of, how to make connections, and some amazing resources! It also provided tons of moral support because of the time with like-minded women farmers!”
NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialist Linda Coffey, who led the first WLL trainings, was inspired by the cohort of women farmers she worked with. “This has been the best project I’ve done in my 20+ years with NCAT. The women were so supportive of each other, so eager to learn, so hard-working, and so positive. Everybody in the group had something to contribute. It was really fun and really impactful.
I’m glad it is continuing in more states. Women in agriculture working together is so powerful. It has been thought of as a male-dominated occupation, but I think women make great farmers. They are intuitive, observant, and hard-working.”
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) began “Women, Livestock, and the Land,” as a pilot program in 2022. NCAT is excited to partner with Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) in this project expansion. The program is also supported by Alabama A&M and JG Research & Evaluation, which is based in Bozeman, Mont.
Biochar Is Key to Cascading Benefits in Innovative Carbon Chicken Project
Fifth-generation Arkansas farmer Jody Hardin was introduced to a potentially game-changing soil additive through a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant in 2011. That’s when Hardin began studying biochar—a charcoal-like material that can be mixed in soil to improve overall soil health.
“I had this huge, eye-opening experience,” Hardin said. “That’s when I started actually using biochar on my crops, doing workshops, and teaching farmers how to make it.”
Biochar is created by heating biomass, such as forest waste or animal manure, in a low-oxygen environment—a process known as pyrolysis. Carbon stored in this form can be added to soil to improve moisture retention, nutrient availability, and aeration and create habitat for beneficial soil microbes, all of which can potentially boost soil productivity. Biochar can also last for thousands of years in soil, so it’s increasingly being viewed as an effective means of sequestering carbon.
Now, Hardin wants to use the knowledge he’s gained to tackle some big challenges across the state by using biochar to clean up the Illinois River watershed, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help farmers improve the quality of their soil through his innovative initiative called the Carbon Chicken Project.
Many birds with one stone
The Carbon Chicken Project, which aims to develop a market-based, carbon-negative farming ecosystem, has taken shape in Northwest Arkansas, an area with a strong poultry production industry. In fact, the state of Arkansas ranks third in the country for the number of broilers produced (1 billion in 2022). Hardin’s plan is specifically designed to address three things: The first is runoff from poultry litter from the region’s many chicken houses that deposits excess phosphorus into the Illinois River watershed. The second is an abundance of forest and sawmill waste, which releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere if left to decompose. Third, Hardin and other farmers are seeking new ways to increase their yields by improving soil health.
For many, this win-win-win solution would be enough. But for Hardin—an agricultural entrepreneur with an economics background—it’s a foundation for a larger vision.
“We’re trying to build this whole ecosystem around biochar that’s very extensive, but when you think about an ecosystem, it’s really a circular economy,” Hardin said. “We can sell the carbon credits, we can sell the biochar, and we can make electricity, and we can clean up a watershed, and we can sequester carbon and prevent climate change. It’s just cascading the benefits of what this product does.”
Accelerating biochar
Producers across the country are looking to Congress to realize biochar’s immense potential. With the most recent Farm Bill recently expired, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is asking Congress to invest in biochar research through the next Farm Bill, under the bipartisan Biochar Research Network Act. If passed, the bill will authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a national-scale research program to test different biochar types in different soils and circumstances. With better research will come innovation and practical tools for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and businesses to lean into biochar as a climate solution that improves their bottom line.
On the research front, a recent USDA study showed that biochar made from poultry litter adds value and could be an attractive solution for waste disposal for the industry.
Hardin knows the impact that investment in biochar research can make, referring to his own introduction to biochar—and subsequent learning, experimentation, and research—stemmed from a grant from Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).
“The Carbon Chicken Project would have never ever happened if it wasn’t for this CIG grant,” Hardin said. “That innovation grant really worked because we’ve created this massive environmental solution for Northwest Arkansas’s watershed using a scaled-up idea that started with that little grant.”
Next steps
“I’ve been doing biochar research here on my farm for a good year, and I’ve got feedstock sources, I’m building pyrolysis units, I’ve got different application rate studies already going,” he said. “I’m trying to use this as a base to organize farmers so that they can see the amazing benefits and the yield increases, and all the things that we’re doing.”
Organic Transition Training Coming to Great Falls
Stipends Available for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers to Attend
The National Center for Appropriate Technology, along with nationally recognized organic leaders, will offer an Organic Academy Road Show (OARS) training at the Mansfield Convention Center in Great Falls, Montana, on December 6 and 7, 2023. Beginning farmers and ranchers in the Northern Great Plains will have the opportunity to explore regenerative, certified organic production systems for livestock, grains, oilseeds, and pulses.
Thirty stipends for beginning farmers and ranchers are available for up to $200 each to defray the costs of attending. There is no registration fee, but registration is required. Online registration is available at NCAT.ORG/EVENTS.
This event will host intensive training sessions and one-on-one technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers. Topics will include developing an organic system plan, the economics and markets for organic products, considerations when transitioning an operation, working with an organic consultant, and more. There will be time for questions and crowdsourcing ideas with experienced organic farmers and ranchers including Nate Powell-Palm, Doug Crabtree, Margaret Scoles, and others. Thursday’s session will conclude with a tour of an organic processing facility. The event schedule can be found here.
“This series of educational opportunities is not just another farming training,” said Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones-Crabtree of Vilicus Farms in Montana. “It is about leveraging training to further build the network of beginning organic producers who are farming and ranching at a scale that will have a tremendous impact on land stewardship across the Northern Great Plains.”
OARS attendees who are farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic can also apply for a complimentary two-day conference pass to the Montana Organic Association Conference, December 8-9, 2023, also at the Mansfield Convention Center.
The OARS sessions are part of the three-year federal Beginning Farmers and Rancher Development Program, Preparing a Resilient Future, in partnership with the Montana Organic Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, Center for Rural Affairs, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, International Organic Inspectors Association, North Dakota State, and University of Wyoming.
The project targets medium to large-scale field crop and livestock operations, unlike most programs focused on beginning farmers and ranchers. This project was selected in a national competition under the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Cotton and Wool Producers Invited to Apply to Climate Beneficial Fiber Program
Provides technical assistance and direct payments to producers.
Cotton and wool producers in the states of California, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming are invited to apply to the new program “Climate Beneficial Fiber: Building New, Accessible, and Equitable Market Opportunities for Climate-Smart Wool and Cotton.”
With funding from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and its partners — Carbon Cycle Institute, Fibershed, New York Textile Lab, Seed2Shirt, and the Colorado State University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences — are ready to provide technical assistance and $18 million in direct payments to producers, enabling them to choose and adopt climate-smart conservation practices that fit with their farming operations and goals.
Participating farms and ranches will work with experts to create a tailored plan that identifies opportunities to bring more carbon into soils and vegetation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will then receive incentive payments for adopting practices that — besides being “climate-smart” — have benefits such as increasing the water-holding capacity of soils, reducing the need for expensive synthetic fertilizers, and boosting overall farm productivity.
The program provides technical assistance and planning at no cost to producers and pays 75 to 90 percent of the average cost of implementing recommended practices. Over the next five years, the program hopes to sign up 100 agricultural operations and impact two million acres of land.
At least 40 percent of all program benefits will go to small and underserved farmers, and a special initiative is encouraging Black farmers in southern states to grow climate-smart cotton. “We’re making it a priority to reach and include folks who have not traditionally benefited from this type of program,” said NCAT Executive Director Fred Bahnson. “We strongly encourage cotton and wool producers of all sizes to apply.”
Building on the Climate Beneficial™ Verification program already developed by Fibershed, the program is also working with well-known clothing brands and textile manufacturers to expand markets for climate-smart wool and cotton. Growing concerns about textile-derived microplastics, land-use impacts, “fast fashion,” and human rights have prompted an industry-wide shift to seek natural fiber sources with verified benefits to land and climate.
“Our long-term goal is to create a self-sustaining consumer market and regional manufacturing systems that reward cotton and wool producers with price premiums for drawing down carbon from the atmosphere,” said Fibershed Executive Director Rebecca Burgess. “That’s good for rural communities as well as the planet.”
Producers interested in learning more can visit the Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership website (fiberpartnership.ncat.org) and fill out an interest form.
WATCH: How NCAT’s Armed to Farm Helped One Veteran Find Her Purpose
Ten years ago, Air Force veteran Sara Creech almost didn’t attend NCAT’s first week-long Armed to Farm, a sustainable agriculture education program for military veterans. After driving from Indiana to Arkansas for the training, anxiety told her to turn around and go home. Instead, she found the strength to stay.
“I went in there and had the most powerful week of my life,” Sara Creech said. “I really look at this life that I’ve built right now, and it all started with that Armed to Farm.”
The National Center for Appropriate Technology today released its short film “Armed to Farm Stories: Sara Creech,” in which Creech, a former surgery and trauma nurse who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, shares her story of overcoming loss through organic farming. Attending NCAT’s Armed to Farm program in 2013 empowered Sara not only to pursue farming, but also to help other farmer veterans.
In the film, we see the diversified vegetable, fruit, and livestock farm Sara has built over the past ten years and hear from members of the farmer veteran community who have benefited from Sara’s mentorship.
Many service members feel disconnected from their communities and former lives when they come home, Sara said. Organic and sustainable farming can help them feel connected and whole again.
“Armed to Farm offers practical information to help veterans get their farms started, or expand their operations,” said Margo Hale, Armed to Farm Program Director. “The classroom sessions, along with farm tours and hands-on activities, give them a strong foundation in sustainable agriculture. And the relationships they develop during the week of training—which often continue long after the week is over—are invaluable.”
Armed to Farm participants learn from seasoned farmers and gain direct experience on livestock, vegetable, fruit, and agritourism operations. Since the week-long program began ten years ago, more than 1,000 veterans from 47 states have participated in the training. When surveyed one year after attending an Armed to Farm, 73 percent of participants indicated they continued farming, had started farming, or were in the process of starting a farm.
Sara credits farming with bringing peace to her life, as well as giving her purpose—caring for the land, feeding her community, and supporting other veterans who want to farm. And Sara is just one example of Armed to Farm alumni helping their fellow farmer veterans.
“Sara exemplifies what we hope to achieve through the Armed to Farm program,” said Hale. “Not only is she operating a successful diversified farm, but she has taken what she learned from us and amplified it so that many other veterans have access to that knowledge and support.”
Watch the film, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdsOjbc-GYY
To learn more about NCAT’s Armed to Farm program, visit ARMEDTOFARM.ORG.
North Metro TV Features AgriSolar Farm to Table Event
Thanks to NCAT’s AgriSolar Clearinghouse and its partners, people across the country are enjoying local food produced underneath solar panels. The most recent farm to table event, held in partnership with Big River Farms at Connexus Energy, took place September 26 in Ramsey, Minnesota.
“We’re doing this to help create community and show how delicious this food can be that’s grown underneath solar panels,” NCAT Energy Program Director Dr. Stacie Peterson told North Metro TV.
Co-locating food and fiber production with solar panels can increase land access for farmers and strengthen local food systems.
“I think you’re seeing this all across the country and once people hear about it, it just makes sense,” said Peterson. “They hear about the stacked benefits of agriculture and solar, and agrisolar, and they want to do it, too.”
To learn more about agrisolar, or agrivoltaics, visit NCAT’s AgriSolar Clearinghouse.