Profile

Steve Kawell

Owner,
Durango Solar Homes

Contact Details

Owner,
Durango Solar Homes
Durango, CO 81303
United States

My Content

1 to 18 of 18 total

RE: Thermal mass

Posted By Steve Kawell 07-07-2026 10:52 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
Here in Durango Colorado, at 7,000' elevation, our true adobe is very comfortable.Day to night outdoor temperatures can vary 40 degrees, from 90 degree days to 50 degree nights, perfect for night flushing.Unfortunately several days this week the air has been fairly toxic with smoke from wildfires burning ...

RE: Hello from New Orleans at CityScapes 2026!

Posted By Steve Kawell 05-21-2026 02:47 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
WIlliam,I too think Trump policies are blocking the pace of RE advancement in our country but the renewable energy evolution is still moving forward!It is truly amazing to see the large number of rooftop PV being installed in my region....for good reason, it works!Trump's Iran war is showing the world ...

RE: Solar thermal for residential

Posted By Steve Kawell 01-01-2025 08:29 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
Leigh, Here are my thoughts as a homeowner that has just decommissioned my solar thermal space heating system after 10 years of use. My experience shows that with today’s technology a person is better off installing an air source heat pump and a PV array to power it. Solar thermal space heating systems ...

RE: Read our innovation-showcase issue of Solar Today

Posted By Steve Kawell 07-29-2024 10:35 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
I have a little different take on what is the best way to generate cost effective domestic hot water.Solar thermal systems work well but have high initial installation costs and high potential for maintenance.Heat pumps work well in certain climates and locations.They show good performance when located ...

RE: That's a wrap! Thank you for attending SOLAR 2023!

Posted By Steve Kawell 08-16-2023 09:18 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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.

RE: Zoom Discussion - The problem(s) with hydrogen as an energy source

Posted By Steve Kawell 03-24-2023 10:21 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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.

RE: Zoom Discussion - Solar Scammers, Nuclear Fusion, Line Side Connections, and more

Posted By Steve Kawell 12-17-2022 08:19 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Article on PV imports - more reason to emphasize low-energy buildings and facilities

Posted By Steve Kawell 05-06-2022 10:11 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Ambient House: Heating and cooling with 100% ambient energy

Posted By Steve Kawell 04-05-2022 02:03 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ------------------------------

RE: Ambient House: Heating and cooling with 100% ambient energy

Posted By Steve Kawell 04-05-2022 12:23 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Ambient House: Heating and cooling with 100% ambient energy

Posted By Steve Kawell 03-30-2022 03:33 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Ambient House: Heating and cooling with 100% ambient energy

Posted By Steve Kawell 03-22-2022 02:43 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Ambient House: Heating and cooling with 100% ambient energy

Posted By Steve Kawell 03-18-2022 12:11 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Texas Solar Energy Society 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting: Sat. Jan 29, 10 am – Noon CST

Posted By Steve Kawell 01-27-2022 10:47 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ------------------------------

RE: Hot Air Heat Storage

Posted By Steve Kawell 01-26-2022 02:50 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ------ ...

RE: PV Fossil Free Residential Systems for Cold Mountain Climates

Posted By Steve Kawell 01-25-2022 01:52 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Heat Pump Water Heater: who's also using the waste extracted 'coolth'?

Posted By Steve Kawell 10-20-2021 08:28 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...

RE: Thermal system

Posted By Steve Kawell 03-15-2021 11:17 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum \ view thread
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 ...