Continuous News

'National Day of Service' draws volunteers to unique project

Posted: Jan 19, 2013 6:08 PM by Ben Trotter
Updated: Jan 19, 2013 6:09 PM

Across the state, residents have been coming out for the national day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. One of these service projects represents a first for the state of Montana.

It's a Habitat for Humanity project in Belgrade. Called a "Solar Passive Home", the house is built with no heating system, instead designed to be heated by the suns' rays.

"When all is said and done, the concept is to basically not need a heater and conserve energy 80% less" says Project Manager Kevin King.

The house is designed as an airtight cube, not allowing air, and thereby heat, to escape at all. The windows will be triple-paned glass, collecting the sun's energy, and heating the concrete floor, which in theory radiates the heat outward.

While the building price is 15-20% higher than that of a normal house the same size, builders say savings are realized in the long run, as utility costs are radically reduced.

According to King, "once the partner family gets to move in here, the power bill should be really low and be able to be maintained."