DIY: How to Design Your Own Energy Efficient Green Home
DIY: How to Design Your Own Energy Efficient Green Home

Author: Sharon Buydens

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2018-01-13

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9781983850042

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For beginners and owner-builders, green building is a sustainable construction method that has a low impact on the environment. Green buildings usually incorporate LEED standard construction requirements in order to become certified; however, a homeowner can be an "owner builder" and construct their own home without the need of hiring a General Contractor in many cases, plus they usually do not need certification even if they build to LEED standards. Although standard construction methods and materials are often used, such as 2x4 or 2x6 framing with fiberglass insulation, or SIP panels, alternative construction materials like straw bales, adobe, earthbags, rock, or other new, used or salvaged materials can be combined in a way that both eco-friendly and non-toxic, plus it can save money. The energy efficiency of a home, when designed well, can be as much as 90% efficient, cutting utility bills to an extreme. A tiny house or small "core house" (with all the living essentials--kitchen, bath, living/sleeping area) can be designed into the floorplan wall system so the owner-builder can add on extra bedrooms later on. This helps them construct a house in a shorter time so they can move in sooner, saving money and even being mortgage-free, if chosen. Energy efficient homes that are truly sustainable incorporate superinsulation and thermal mass along with passive solar home design, and this book explains how to do that. This book offers a passive solar home companion e-book (v1) that can be downloaded free from the author's website.

Diy - How to Build Your Own Energy Efficient Green Home
Diy - How to Build Your Own Energy Efficient Green Home

Author: Sharon Buydens

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2016-12-15

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9781541160309

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Green building is a sustainable construction method that has a low impact on the environment. Green buildings usually incorporate LEED standard construction requirements in order to become certified; however, a homeowner can be an "owner builder" and construct their own home without the need of hiring a General Contractor in many cases, plus they usually do not need certification even if they build to LEED standards. Although standard construction methods and materials are often used, such as 2x4 or 2x6 framing with fiberglass insulation, or SIP panels, alternative construction materials like straw bales, adobe, earthbags, rock, or other new, used or salvaged materials can be combined in a way that both eco-friendly and non-toxic, plus it can save money. The energy efficiency of a home, when designed well, can be as much as 90% efficient, cutting utility bills to an extreme. A tiny house or small "core house" (with all the living essentials--kitchen, bath, living/sleeping area) can be designed into the floorplan wall system so the owner-builder can add on extra bedrooms later on. This helps them construct a house in a shorter time so they can move in sooner, saving money and even being mortgage-free, if chosen. Energy efficient homes that are truly sustainable incorporate superinsulation and thermal mass along with passive solar home design, and this book explains how to do that. This book offers a passive solar home companion e-book (v1) that can be downloaded free from the author's website.

Building a Sustainable Home
Building a Sustainable Home

Author: Melissa Rappaport Schifman

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2018-08-07

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1510733450

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The green building movement has produced hundreds of “how-to” books and websites that are filled with tips about green building and what homeowners should do to go green. While helpful and informative, when it comes to making actual purchasing and installation decisions, these books do not make it any easier for a homeowner to prioritize against a budget. Here, Schifman shares her knowledge and experience for others to use in their journey toward a greener way of living. Whether the reader is building a new home or doing a minor remodel, a homeowner needs a framework by which to guide their decisions. These decisions are based on values, and the author posits that there are really only three reasons to go green: For Our Health: By building more sustainably, we reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. For Our Wealth: By building a more durable home and being more efficient with resources like water and electricity, we reduce our monthly utility bills and ongoing maintenance expenses. For Our Soul: Collectively doing the right thing for our planet does make a difference—and that is soul-nourishing. Learn the logistics of choosing windows, insulation, appliances, and lighting. Find out about FSC certified wood and about using reclaimed materials. Here is everything you need to make your home sustainable.

Pretty Good House
Pretty Good House

Author: Michael Maines

Publisher: Taunton Press

Published: 2022-05-24

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9781641551656

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Pretty Good House provides a framework and set of guidelines for building or renovating a high-performance home that focus on its inhabitants and the environment--but keeps in mind that few people have pockets deep enough to achieve a "perfect" solution. The essential idea is for homeowners to work within their financial and practical constraints both to meet their own needs and do as much for the planet as possible. A Pretty Good House is: * A house that's as small as possible * Simple and durable, but also well designed * Insulated and air-sealed * Above all, it is affordable, healthy, responsible, and resilient.

How to Design and Build a Sustainable House
How to Design and Build a Sustainable House

Author: Abhinav N

Publisher: Independently Published

Published: 2023-03-09

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Looking to build a sustainable home that is both affordable and environmentally friendly? Look no further than this book. This comprehensive guidebook provides practical tips and expert advice on every aspect of the sustainable home building process, from selecting building materials to implementing energy-efficient systems. With clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrations, this book is perfect for anyone looking to design and build their own sustainable home without breaking the bank. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a professional builder, this book is an indispensable resource for creating a home that is not only good for the planet, but also good for your wallet. Inside, you'll find: A detailed overview of sustainable home design principles. Step-by-step instructions for selecting and sourcing eco-friendly building materials. Expert advice on implementing energy-efficient systems, such as solar panels. Strategies for reducing construction costs while maintaining sustainability goals. Don't miss out on this invaluable resource for creating a sustainable home that is both affordable and eco-friendly. Order your copy today!

Cheapskate's Passive Solar Home Design for DIY Straw Bale Or Green Building
Cheapskate's Passive Solar Home Design for DIY Straw Bale Or Green Building

Author: Sharon Buydens

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2018-04-27

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 9781717523532

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Learn how to design a passive solar house on the cheap. For owner-builders, this book covers how to utilize the frugal buy-and-barter method to find used and free building materials to build your own green building or alternative construction home. Included are straw bale house examples that the author and another solar expert have built with up to 90% energy efficiency, and how to obtain that level of efficiency in your own home through passive solar design. Save big on utility bills the rest of your life in your home by greatly reducing the need for heating and cooling, simply through some simple design changes. TABLE OF CONTENTS (chapter, some sections listed, page numbers): INTRODUCTION 17; PASSIVE SOLAR BASICS 28; PAYING ATTENTION TO NATURE 35; THINK ABOUT DESIGN 46; CALCULATING THE SUN 69; Magnetic North and True North; Solar Noon; How to Find Solar South; The Stick Method; Shadow at Solar Noon Method; Compass Deviation / Declination Method; Understanding the Sun; Solar and Earth Cycles; DIRECT GAIN & INDIRECT GAIN 82; Isolated Gain; Improving Efficiency; Ventilation and Cooling; Other Passive Solar Designs; THERMAL MASS & INSULATION 92; ENERGY EFFICIENCY 111; WINDOW GLAZING 120; ROOF OVERHANG 130; SITE PLAN & FLOOR PLAN DESIGN 140; Site Design Before Floor Plans; Lot Quality; Solar Access; Site Analysis; Assess the Site for Solar Gain; Site Plan - Write it Down; Stake out the Building Location; Considerations for Floor Plan Layout; Passive Solar Floor Plan Design Features; Keep Plumbing Close Together; Core House Floor Plans; LETTING NATURE WORK FOR YOU 156; FRUGAL BUDGET HOMES 171; Start with a "Core House"; Plan Big but Start Small; The Buy and Barter Method; Used Building Materials; Recycled Building Materials; Free Building Materials; Bartering; Bartering Service; Time Banking; Miscellaneous Bartering & Buying; Steps for Cost Effective Home Design; Build a Shed First; Steps for Good Planning; How to Build a Roof out of Pallets; GREEN BUILDING PRIMER 193; What is Green Building?; Cost; Site; Design; Construction; Maintenance; Operation; Renovations; Deconstruction; Habitat for Humanity Deconstruction Services; ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTION AND GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS 208; STRAW BALE HOUSE - THE BEGINNING 220; STRAW BALE HOUSE - FOUNDATION 225; STRAW BALE HOUSE - WALLS 234; STRAW BALE HOUSE - ROOF 244; WALLS, WIRING, & FOUNDATIONS 255; CHECKLIST: FROM LAND TO BUILDING 266

The Not So Big House
The Not So Big House

Author: Sarah Susanka

Publisher: Taunton Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1561583766

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Provides a review of social trends and their effect on architecture and design.

Energy Efficient Homes For Dummies
Energy Efficient Homes For Dummies

Author: Rik DeGunther

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2008-11-24

Total Pages: 386

ISBN-13: 0470477113

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Hands-on, practical solutions to save money by making smart energy changes One of the best and most affordable strategies people can employ to combat global warming is to improve the energy and water efficiency of their homes. Energy Efficient Homes For Dummies provides homeowners with advice, tips, and projects to reduce costs, increase energy efficiency, and cut down on waste and pollution. After performing a do-it-yourself home energy audit, readers create an action plan based on their personal goals. Readers are presented with a wide range of potential solutions, from making better use of blinds and awnings to exploring geothermal options in order to reduce household costs and their impact on the planet. Rik DeGunther (Rescue, CA) is the founder of Efficient Homes, an energy consulting firm that focuses on home energy audits and the design of efficient heating and cooling systems.

Diy Home Energy System
Diy Home Energy System

Author: Arthur Whitaker

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2016-11-09

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 9781540301758

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"Discover All The Ways You Can Make Your House Energy Bills Lower With The Costs OF Natural Resources On The Rise" If you're wanting to learn energy saving tips to develop... Then this may be the most important letter you'll ever read! You're About To Learn All The Money You Could Be Saving By Making Your Home Energy Efficient And Even Save Time Doing It, No Matter How Much Time You Have Had To Prepare! It doesn't matter if you've never experienced energy efficient homes up close and personal, This guide will tell you everything you need to know, without spending too much brainpower! Are you planning on making your home more energy efficient right now or in the near future? If so, pay attention! There's finally a new, breakthrough book created just for people like you! And, if you really want to have the most beautiful, utility bill that will bring a smile to your face, then this book is definitely for YOU! I myself have been a architect for 20 years, but it wasn't easy my first two years! I mean, information on this is pretty hard to come across. Especially the kind of information I wanted to know more about. To be quite honest with you, I got tired of looking and searching all over the place, so I decided to create the definitive book on energy efficient homes! This Isn't Like Any Other General or Generic Book On Energy Efficient Homes You Can Find In Any Store.. ...On the internet, or even at your local library for that matter! This book covers everything there is to know about scrapbooking. In fact, some people have called it the "Energy Efficient Home Manual "! It's like having your very own energy star expert that you can reference and ask questions anytime that you need to! You'll uncover a wide array of tips including interesting facts that made them what they are today! You're going to discover so many things on how to transform your house to being more energy efficient with little effort! Not only will you discover alternative sources of fuel, but you'll also learn extra bonus tips to actually teach people. Here's Just "Sneak-Peak" At What You'll Uncover With How To Make Your House Energy And Cost Efficient Discover how to determine your current costs. Learn the cost of savings analysis. Find out exactly how to get started on your biggest needs. Discover how exactly to save big money with windows. Learn how to start small for huge savings. Discover the fireplace advantage. Find out all the energy saving tips to develop. Discover how to properly use your thermostat for your energy saving needs. Learn exactly what energy star is and how to use it to your advantage. Discover how to make the outside of your house energy efficient easily. Learn all about alternative sources of fuel. Discover how build your new home to meet your energy saving needs! Learn all the little things you can do to save huge on your bottom line. Plus much MUCH More! Tag: energy efficient, energy greens, home energy book, home energy efficiency, home energy management, home energy saver, home energy saving, home energy storage, home energy system

Green Living Made Easy
Green Living Made Easy

Author: Nancy Birtwhistle

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Published: 2022-03-03

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 1529088585

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'The tips and tricks are just brilliant.' – Jane Dunn, author of Jane's Patisserie 101 eco-friendly home-hacks, tips and recipes from Sunday Times bestselling author and Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle. One change, any change, will make a difference to our precious planet. We all want to do our best for our homes and the planet, but it’s often hard to find the time and energy to think of alternatives. Nancy Birtwhistle makes it easy with 101 indispensable tips, ideas and recipes that will help you to live a more eco-friendly life without giving up on any home comforts. This practical book is the ultimate guide to reducing your environmental impact while saving you time and money. Inside are tips and home hacks on everything from eco cleaning, upcycling and making the most out of your weekly shop to small-space gardening and creative crafts, plus a selection of Nancy's delicious recipes. Clearly explained, accessible and beautifully illustrated with black and white line-drawings, Green Living Made Easy is the perfect guide for anyone looking to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle but unsure where to start. 'Finally, an eco-friendly home guide that's relatable and we can all follow.' – Sophie Liard, author of The Folding Lady