As Building Engineer on Ask This Old House, Ross Trethewey is responsible for seeking out some of the coolest stories in building technology and bringing them to a national audience.
You could say that Ross has This Old House in his blood. His grandfather Ron served as the plumber on the first season in 1979, before Ross was even born. His father, Richard, has been known as the face of all things plumbing and HVAC to This Old House fans for four decades. Growing up, Ross remembers accompanying his dad to job sites. He especially remembers the excitement of filming days when show creator Russ Morash and the camera crews were on-site.
Ross has lent his expertise to This Old House and Ask This Old House since 2011, contributing to stories about renewable energy that looked at solar power, wind power, geothermal, and off-grid storage. He became a regular presence on Ask This Old House in 2016 when he and a producer developed Future House, a segment that looks at technology’s impact on how we build and live in our houses.
In addition to his TV duties, Ross founded an engineering design and consulting firm in 2010 and serves as its lead engineer. TE2 Engineering provides building energy analysis, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design, and renewable energy design for clients in residential and commercial spaces. The company’s focus is high-performance HVAC design creating healthy and comfortable buildings.
Ross earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in Massachusetts. He is also a professional engineer in various states. Before forming his own consulting company, he lived and worked in Germany for a manufacturer specializing in high-efficiency and renewable energy equipment.
Ross lives in a suburb of Boston with his wife and two young sons. When he is not coaching his children in youth sports, he likes to get on the water as much as possible.
Follow Ross on Facebook, Twitter @RossTret, and Instagram at @rosstrethewey.
