Bill Hanlon has been an instructor in the Construction Technology program at Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia Kansas for the past 14 years. As a carpenter and builder for over 35 years, Mr. Hanlon has worked toward more energy efficient and environmentally sound practices for the past 26 years.
The book "Outside the Box" published in 2006 outlines a very cost effective and efficient approach to building a house using locally available products and easily understood techniques.
Last year the students in the Construction Technology program built the first 5-star+ Energy Star rated home in Kansas. Bill continues to teach energy efficiency and green building practices through workshops and conferences throughout the Midwest and through the Sustainable Living Center at Flint Hills Technical College.
Bill is very much a family man. He and his wife Paula have 2 daughters. One lives in Ft. Collins Colorado, and the other one lives in San Francisco. Bill is also a Cellist, fly fisherman and he lives in the little town of Reading, Kansas.
Bill heard about the conference and saw what we were doing, and said, I have got to be a part of this environmental educational opportunity.
After seeing his resume', who could have said No thanks.
This will be Bill's 2nd year with our conference. To compliment the Energy Efficiency efforts going on in our cities, Bill has agreed to create an interactive teaching zone. He plans to have a learning opportunity for all age groups, both males as well as females.
Who knows, we might even be able to get him to play his Cello.
January 9, 2010 ~ 10:00-11:45 AM AND 2:30-4:00 PM
Development of Energy Efficiency
By Bill Hanlon
Morning Richard;
I've been thinking about my workshop sessions and how to actually show how to do
things that will teach something to those present. Last year I felt that
my presentation on how to build much more energy efficient homes was well
received and was a success. BUT, is it really pertinent to what we are
trying to do with this conference?
It's important that we make head roads into teaching students involved in such projects
as "youth build" etc., but we aren't really building that many new
homes and most of us in attendance aren't even able to be part of that market.
I can build them; just don't have enough money to be considered as a new homeowner.
So, I have the idea of presenting various ways to show how solar can be used around
the home, and how to decrease the amount of energy we all use in various ways.
As an example I am considering making a mock up of a window solar
collector (already have) solar cookers, solar chimney, and cold frames from old
windows. Also think weatherization ideas should be included. Yesterday
I had a presentation at KU and it covered more about what could be done at
every level to help decrease energy use in existing buildings. We could possibly
have an area during the workshop sessions where products can be displayed and
discussed for their immediate (and also affordable) value.
Let me know your thoughts and I'll finalize the description of my part of the presentations.
Talk to you soon. Bill
As you can see, I love what has been said, so I am posting it as is… Richard
