Energy Cafe Feb. 22 on Efficient Windows

6-7:30 p.m. Farmers Gastropub, 431 S. Jefferson, Springfield

Our next Energy Cafe brings Art Boyt of SolSource GreenBuild, Neosho, to talk about the latest in window design and technology. Learn how good window design can lower energy bills by providing both heating and cooling for homes. Art will discuss overhang sizing, ventilation, window orientation and window types that are tuned for energy efficiency. He'll also talk about other house design features that can be combined to turn windows into an energy asset for your home. 

Art is a former professor and director of the Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology Center at Crowder College, Neosho.  During his tenure, the Crowder team earned national recognition for its entries in the solar decathlon competitions in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Vickie, design and project manage the construction of energy-efficient houses through SolSource GreenBuild; www.solsourcegreenbuild.com. They provide energy consulting services and sell Serious windows.

Register to attend this free event at 417-581-4018 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our March 28 Energy Cafe will feature Cheryl Marcum and Mitch Ross discussing their national award-winning "solar-drenched home" near Stockton.  The house uses solar energy in four ways:

• To heat interior space on cold sunny days
• To heat water
• To provide natural lighting
• To generate electricity that helps power the house year-round

Built in 2006 as a demonstration house, the 3,718 sq. ft. house, plus the well pump, an electric farm cart and a passive solar guinea house in frigid weather, averages $64 for monthly electricity. Its Home Energy Rating System score is 38, making it a near-zero energy home. The house also has the highest Energy Star rating of 5+. In 2008, the house won the Gold EnergyValue Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders and also the 2008 EVHA People's Choice Award.

You may sign up to tour the house during the annual American Solar Energy tour in October. Read about the house in the May 2010 issue of Solar Today at http://ases.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1069&Itemid=23.  You also can take a virtual tour of many of its solar, energy-efficient and renewable features and house energy performance data at the Mother Earth News Gallery, http://cu.motherearthnews.com/pages/gallery.php?gallery=296374.

Register to attend this free event at 417-581-4018 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our Cafes are free, but we hope you'll consider a small donation to ONE and that you will support the pub by purchasing a beverage and/or meal. Try some authentic English fare, starting with a pint of English ale and some fish and chips.

To register, call 417-581-4018 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . That way we can alert you to a last-minute change or a standing-room-only crowd. Attendance is limited to about 70.

Past Energy Cafes have featured Renew Missouri on energy legislation in Missouri, Jim Evans on his impressive array of solar panels, Russel Gehrke on low-cost energy improvements, Jonathan Gano on Springfield's CNG project, Matt O'Reilly on Springfield natural environment component of its strategic plan and Dr. Thomas Pirotte on energy improvements at South Slope Farm. Our fall season featured Rick Scarlet and Gloria Johnson on their mid-town home energy improvements, Jeff Dawidowski and George Van Hoesen on Christian County's first off-the-grid home and Neal Farrar of Sunbelt Environmental Services on ground source heat pumps.

See photos of past Energy Cafes on our Facebook page.