BELLINGHAM - A former host of "This Old House" will join volunteers on a Habitat for Humanity house-building project at 2776 W. Indiana St. on Saturday, March 9.

The event is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bellingham.

Emmy Award-winning television personality Steve Thomas, former host of the home improvement shows "This Old House" and "Renovation Nation," will be at the build. He is an advocate of greener building and renovation techniques.

Thomas will help with Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County's first ultra energy-efficient "passive" home, according to a Habitat news release.

The house will use advanced construction techniques to minimize heat loss. When completed, it is expected to cost about $100 per year to heat.

Thomas also is appearing at 2 p.m. Friday at the Whatcom County Home & Garden Show at the Lynden fairgrounds.

Reach Kie Relyea at 360-715-2234 or kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com.