Ross Trethewey: Building Engineer, TE2 Founder & TV Expert

Ross Trethewey: Building Engineer and Home Technology Expert

Ross Trethewey represents a new generation of home technology expertise, bridging the gap between traditional trades and cutting-edge building science. As the Building Engineer on Ask This Old House, Ross has become the face of modern home innovation, exploring renewable energy solutions, sustainable building practices, and the technologies that are reshaping how we construct and inhabit our homes. His journey from a family steeped in the plumbing trade to becoming a mechanical engineer and successful consulting firm owner demonstrates the evolution of the construction industry itself.

A Legacy in Building and Television

Ross Trethewey’s connection to This Old House runs deeper than most television personalities. His family’s involvement with the show spans multiple generations, creating a unique continuity of expertise and perspective. His grandfather, Ron Trethewey, served as the plumber on the very first season of This Old House in 1979, long before Ross was even born. This pioneering role set the stage for the family’s lasting relationship with the iconic home renovation series.

Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Ross’s father, Richard Trethewey, became the recognizable face of plumbing and HVAC systems to This Old House viewers for over four decades. Richard’s consistent presence and expertise helped establish the show’s reputation for technical accuracy and practical knowledge. Growing up in this environment, Ross had unprecedented access to job sites and behind-the-scenes filming, witnessing firsthand the excitement and precision required to bring home renovation projects to television audiences. He particularly remembers the thrill of filming days when show creator Russ Morash and the camera crews would arrive on-site, transforming ordinary home projects into compelling television content.

Educational Foundation and Professional Development

While Ross grew up surrounded by the plumbing trade, his career path took him in a more technical direction. He pursued higher education in mechanical engineering, recognizing that the future of building systems lay in understanding the science behind them. Ross earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in Massachusetts, one of the nation’s leading engineering institutions.

His educational achievements were complemented by practical international experience. Before founding his own consulting company, Ross lived and worked in Germany for a manufacturer specializing in high-efficiency and renewable energy equipment. This experience exposed him to European innovations in building technology and energy efficiency, perspectives that would later inform his work on American homes.

In addition to his academic credentials, Ross is a professional engineer licensed in various states, underscoring his commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in his field. These qualifications and experiences have positioned him as an authority on modern building systems and sustainable home technologies.

TE2 Engineering: Building Energy Solutions

In 2010, Ross founded TE2 Engineering, an engineering design and consulting firm where he serves as lead engineer. The company has become a recognized provider of comprehensive building solutions for both residential and commercial clients. TE2 Engineering’s core services include:

• Building energy analysis and optimization
• Mechanical system design
• Electrical system design
• Plumbing system design
• Renewable energy design and implementation

The firm’s particular focus on high-performance HVAC design reflects Ross’s understanding that modern buildings must prioritize both comfort and health. By designing systems that optimize energy efficiency while maintaining excellent indoor air quality and comfort, TE2 Engineering addresses the core concerns of today’s homeowners and building managers. The company’s approach represents the evolution of building technology from simple functionality to integrated systems that consider occupant wellness alongside environmental responsibility.

Television Career and the Future House Segment

Ross has been contributing his expertise to This Old House and Ask This Old House since 2011. His early contributions focused on renewable energy stories, exploring solar power systems, wind power installations, geothermal heating and cooling, and off-grid energy storage solutions. These pioneering segments helped educate viewers about alternative energy options during a time when renewable energy adoption was becoming increasingly relevant to homeowners.

In 2016, Ross and a producer developed Future House, a segment that has become his signature contribution to the show. Future House examines how emerging technologies are influencing the way we design, build, and live in our homes. This segment allows Ross to showcase innovations that are still in their infancy, bringing cutting-edge technology to the Ask This Old House audience before these solutions become mainstream. Ross is particularly proud of how Future House represents a new direction for the show, bringing attention to the technological evolution happening in residential construction and renovation.

His television work has made him a recognized expert on home technology and building systems. Through his appearances on the show, Ross has helped demystify complex building science for the average homeowner, translating technical concepts into practical, understandable information.

From Family Trade to Engineering Innovation

Growing up in a household of plumbers, Ross was exposed to the trades from an early age. He learned fundamental lessons about craftsmanship, including practical skills like soldering pipes and understanding the value of meticulous workmanship. However, while appreciating the trade itself, Ross was drawn to a different aspect of the industry. Rather than focusing primarily on traditional plumbing installation and repair, he became fascinated by the future direction of plumbing and heating systems.

This forward-thinking perspective led him to pursue mechanical engineering, a field that allowed him to explore the theoretical foundations and innovative possibilities within his family’s industry. His father, Richard, was instrumental in supporting this path, recognizing that Ross’s interests and talents were suited to engineering. The foundation provided by growing up in the trades—the understanding of how systems work, the value of precision, and the importance of quality installation—proved invaluable in Ross’s engineering career.

As a mechanical engineer, Ross enjoys the daily challenges presented by his field. He appreciates that every project is unique, presenting novel problems that require creative thinking and outside-the-box solutions. This problem-solving mentality, combined with his technical training and practical knowledge, has made him particularly effective at developing innovative solutions to building challenges.

Passion for Technology and Building Evolution

Ross is most proud of bringing a different element to This Old House and contributing to a new direction for the show. He believes strongly that technology in home building and remodeling is constantly evolving and becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life. Rather than viewing traditional building methods and modern technology as opposed, Ross sees them as complementary approaches that can be thoughtfully combined.

His particular passion for Future House reflects his conviction that homeowners and builders need to understand the technological landscape of modern construction. By featuring technologies in their early stages, before they become ubiquitous, Future House helps viewers make informed decisions about their own homes and prepares them for the building innovations of tomorrow.

This focus on technological evolution positions Ross as a bridge between generations—honoring the skilled trades that built America’s housing stock while embracing the innovations that will shape its future.

Personal Life and Family Values

Ross lives in a suburb of Boston with his wife and two young sons. Family remains central to his life, and when not engaged in engineering work or television appearances, he frequently coaches his children in youth sports. He is also an avid water sports enthusiast, spending as much time as possible on the water.

As a father, Ross is conscious of the legacy passed to him by his grandfather and father. He looks forward to giving his sons the same childhood experiences he had—exposure to the trades, the opportunity to learn on job sites, and the foundational values of hard work and craftsmanship. However, he also hopes to introduce them to the technological and engineering aspects of building, helping them understand both the traditional skills and the innovations that represent the future of the industry.

Ross recognizes that the education and values his own father handed down were instrumental in his success. By instilling similar principles in his sons while also exposing them to the evolution of building technology, he hopes they will have the foundation to pursue their own paths in construction, engineering, or related fields, taking the family legacy forward in new and innovative directions.

Professional Recognition and Social Media Presence

Ross’s expertise and television presence have earned him recognition within the building and HVAC industries. He is widely followed on social media platforms where he shares insights about home technology and building science. You can follow Ross on:

• Twitter: @RossTret
• Instagram: @rosstrethewey
• Facebook: Ross Trethewey

Through these platforms, Ross continues to engage with homeowners and building professionals, sharing knowledge about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emerging home technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Ross Trethewey’s role on This Old House?

A: Ross Trethewey is the Building Engineer on Ask This Old House, where he is responsible for identifying and presenting compelling stories about building technology to a national audience. He also created and hosts the Future House segment, which explores how emerging technologies are changing how we design and build homes.

Q: What is TE2 Engineering?

A: TE2 Engineering is a consulting firm founded by Ross Trethewey in 2010. The company provides building energy analysis, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design services, with a particular focus on high-performance HVAC systems and renewable energy design for residential and commercial clients.

Q: What is Ross Trethewey’s educational background?

A: Ross earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in Massachusetts. He is also a licensed professional engineer in various states and has international experience working for a renewable energy equipment manufacturer in Germany.

Q: How did Ross Trethewey get into building and television?

A: Ross grew up in a family deeply connected to This Old House. His grandfather served as the plumber on the show’s first season in 1979, and his father, Richard Trethewey, became a long-time expert on the show known for plumbing and HVAC knowledge. Ross accompanied his father to job sites and was inspired to pursue engineering to explore the future of building systems.

Q: What is the Future House segment about?

A: Future House is a segment on Ask This Old House that Ross developed in 2016. It focuses on emerging technologies and innovations in home building and living, examining how new technologies are changing construction practices and residential life before these solutions become mainstream.

Q: Where does Ross Trethewey live?

A: Ross lives in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and two young sons. He is actively involved in coaching youth sports and enjoys spending time on the water.