Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy

The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy

by Dan Chiras

Paperback - 352 pages
Width: 7.5 Inches x Height: 9 Inches
Weight: 460 Grams
Publisher: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 9780865715363
Pub. Date: 2006-04-03

Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series

The coming energy crisis caused by a peak in global oil and natural gas production will profoundly affect the lives of all North Americans. As the price of these vital fuels rises, homeowners will scramble to cut their fuel bills. Two options for meeting the upcoming challenge are dramatic improvements in home energy efficiency and efforts to tap into clean, affordable, renewable energy resources to heat and cool homes, to provide hot water and electricity, and even to cook. These measures can result in huge savings and a level of energy independence.

The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy tells you how. It starts by outlining the likely impacts of fossil fuel shortages and some basic facts about energy. It then discusses energy conservation to slash energy bills and prepare for renewable energy options. Focusing carefully on specific strategies needed to replace specific fuels, the book then examines each practical energy option available to homeowners:

• solar hot water, cooking and water purification
• space heat: passive and active solar retrofits
• wood heat
• passive cooling
• solar electricity
• wind-generated electricity
• electricity from microhydropower sources, and
• emerging technologies -- hydrogen, fuel cells, methane digesters and biodiesel.

The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy gives readers sufficient knowledge to hire and communicate effectively with contractors and, for those wanting do installations themselves, it recommends more detailed manuals. With a complete resource listing, this well-illustrated and accessible guide is a perfect companion for illuminating the coming dark age.

About the Author

Dan Chiras is the father of two boys, and the author of over 20 books on environmental issues and sustainability. He teaches courses on renewable energy, green building and sustainability at Colorado College. His free time is spent mountain biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, playing music, and gardening with his boys.