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Steve Kawell

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Posted By Steve Kawell 08-16-2023 09:18 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Thanks to everyone who dedicated so much time and effort to ASES Solar 2023..... an amazing event! Thank you,Steve Steve Kawell 970-769-3904 stevekawell@ g mail.com.
Posted By Steve Kawell 03-24-2023 10:21 AM
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So.... it sure seems like the simple solution is a well insulated, passive solar building with an air source heat pump run from electricity generated from an on site PV array...... with storage and grid tied for cloudy days. Steve Kawell 970-769-3904 stevekawell@kw.com.
Posted By Steve Kawell 12-17-2022 08:19 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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My thinking about the fusion media hype is this:1) At what cost $$$$? Can fusion electricity ever come close to the cost of renewable generated electricity...NO! 2) A fusion reaction creates heat not electricity, which then has to utilize another complicated system to turn that heat into electricity.Sure ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 05-06-2022 10:11 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Hi Dave, I think the idea of building envelope efficiency is something that is done at the initial design and building stage. A remodel of an existing structure is another opportunity to include increased insulation, building tightness and indoor air quality. An existing building not scheduled for a ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 04-05-2022 02:03 PM
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Yes, Absolutely......every building should be able to generate electricity from a PV array! ------------------------------ Steve Kawell Owner Durango Solar Homes Durango CO stevekawell@gmail.com ------------------------------
Posted By Steve Kawell 04-05-2022 12:23 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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I have to say that I am not a big fan of these super low ach numbers. Anything under 1.0 ach has shown to be a very cost effective goal. The Passive House is a good but rather restrictive system to construct a super energy efficient dwelling. Seems to me that if a building's energy design strategy covers ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 03-30-2022 03:33 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Hi Debra, Looks like you have a great lineup for the ASES conference in Albuquerque! A big reason more architects and designers are not utilizing passive solar strategies in their design program is the lack of understanding of how a building will be effected. The suns daily and seasonal effects on a ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 03-22-2022 02:43 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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It's great to see some of the folks joining this discussion. Mark Chalom is one of my passive solar heroes, I am a long time student of Mark's. He has an abundance of experience and knowledge! I use the term passive solar because solar is the primary design criteria. Yes, insulation & indoor air quality ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 03-18-2022 12:11 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Hello Keith, Just want to say thanks for spreading the virtues of passive solar home designs. I have been designing and building passive solar homes for over 30 years and been living in a passive solar home for the past 25 years. One of the benefits of these designs is that the occupants are synchronized ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 01-27-2022 10:47 AM
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Can a builder pass on solar tax credits to the buyer of a new home with a PV system. If so, what's the acceptable way to do this? Thank you ------------------------------ Steve Kawell Owner Durango Solar Homes Durango CO stevekawell@gmail.com ------------------------------
Posted By Steve Kawell 01-26-2022 02:50 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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That heating strategy faded out many years ago and for good reason....it didn't work very well. I would spend your time and money on additional building envelope insulation and a PV array. ------------------------------ Steve Kawell Owner Durango Solar Homes Durango CO stevekawell@gmail.com ------ ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 01-25-2022 01:52 PM
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Hi Paulette,Having been designing and building high performing solar homes in Southwest Colorado for decades I would suggest you start with a super insulated passive solar design.This will greatly reduce your heating and cooling loads.A good passive solar design will also sycrinize your livingspace to ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 10-20-2021 08:28 AM
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As a builder we tried a heat pump water heater at a clients request.The house is in a cold climate, and the water heater is in a conditioned space. We had to fabricate a duct system to dump cool air outside in winter and then seasonally change the duct damper to push cool air into the house in summer.The ...
Posted By Steve Kawell 03-15-2021 11:17 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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I have a little different perspective on solar thermal and PV. As a builder of passive solar custom homes for over 30 years my view of solar thermal and pv keeps evolving. Solar thermal, hot pressurized water systems can be problematic over time requiring a qualified person to keep them running. We use ...