It seems almost too good to be true: make high-value organic compost while generating reliable combustion-free heat. But it works, and this book is your practical introduction. With detailed plans for constructing small DIY systems, step-by-step illustrations and photos to guide you through the process, and calculations to help you estimate the heating capabilities of various approaches, this book will be invaluable.
Here is a revolutionary approach for heating rooms and generating hot water. Author Gaelan Brown has worked with engineers and compost scientists to refine methods of composting that can heat greenhouses, barns, buildings, and hot water, all without combustion. It seems almost too good to be true: make high-value organic compost while generating reliable combustion-free heat. But it works, and this book is your practical introduction. With detailed case studies of large scale engineered systems and plans for constructing small DIY systems, you'll find step-by-step illustrations and photos to guide you through the process. A review of calculations to help you estimate the heating capabilities of various approaches and other planning tools make this book invaluable for compost heat recovery on any scale.
If I had a hammer: The fun and easy way for do-it-yourselfers to repair home appliances and furniture For anyone who's ever been frustrated by a repair shop rip-off or just wanted to join thousands of others in the DIY craze, How to Fix Everything For Dummies is a no-nonsense guide showing you how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of furniture (with wobbly legs, for example) and household appliances -- vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, toasters, blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers and printers. Packed with step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, it's a must-have money-saver for the half of all homeowners who undertake Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home projects. This hands-on, DIY manual shows you not only how to fix faulty appliances but also tend to all those irritating repairs that cost more to have someone else fix than the item is worth. How to Fix Everything For Dummies is for you if you Are a homeowner or an apartment dweller Want to fix things around the house but aren't sure where to start Have some experience but need guidance on tackling more and larger repairs May be frustrated about throwing things away because you don’t know where to go to repair them Don't want to pay for service calls when the problem is minor Featuring clear, concise directions, How to Fix Everything For Dummies also covers the proper tools and materials to get the job done correctly without breaking the bank and important safety measures to take so you don’t hurt yourself. You’ll learn how to Fix creaky stairs Patch basement floors Restore damaged carpets Correct drywall and repair plaster walls Fix door and cabinet hardware problems Rewire fixtures Get doorbells to work Fix garage door openers Unclog drains and fix leaky pipes Mend wooden fences and decks Repair minor cracks in the concrete driveway or pool And a whole lot more Additionally, this friendly guide is written in plain English and includes a list of home repairs you should not take on yourself but should leave for the professionals and tips on how to hire one. Grab your copy of How to Fix Everything For Dummies, grab your screwdriver and wrench, and get to work!
From the back cover: Presenting the first homeowner's guide to solar water heating that is intended for both the do-it-yourselfer and the person who is going to use a solar installer. It is literally filled with the latest state-of-the-art information that gives you all you need to know to: optimize the efficiency of your present hot water system; survey all the options and select the system that's right for your climate, your house, your hot water needs and your budget; calculate in advance, the amount and value of your solar energy savings; build a high-quality solar collector; plan and execute a professional-quality installation that will heat your domestic water or your swimming pool, hot tub, or spa; use other alternatives to the common water heater, such as efficient heat pump water heaters and systems that heat water with a wood or coal stove; work with a solar installer; and locate important sources of supply for special solar components and hardware.
Save water and help save the planet, all from the comfort of your own home! These days everyone is looking for ways to send less household rubbish to landfill, to use less water and, of course, to save money. Composting is a great solution! And anyone can make compost - even of you live in an inner-city apartment you can create a super-efficient natural soil conditioner for you pots. Composting has everything you need to know about creating and maintaining a composting system that suits your lifestyle. It includes: how to get started how to keep your compost happy how to use the finished product This is the ultimate user-friendly, earth-friendly guide to composting in the 21st century. Every home should have one!
This publication capitalizes on the experience of scientists from the North Africa and Near East countries, in collaboration with experts from around the world, specialized in the different aspects of greenhouse crop production. It provides a comprehensive description and assessment of the greenhouse production practices in use in Mediterranean climate areas that have helped diversify vegetable production and increase productivity. The publication is also meant to be used as a reference and tool for trainers and growers as well as other actors in the greenhouse vegetables value chain in this region.
Are you looking for creative ways to lower your energy costs, generate more of your own power, or become less reliant on the grid? Paul Scheckel offers practical advice for taking matters into your own hands. Explaining the fundamentals of solar, wind, water, and biofuel energy production, Scheckel shows you how to build and maintain a wide variety of energy-saving and energy-producing equipment, ranging from thermosiphon solar hot water collectors to bicycle-powered generators. Use less energy, save money, and help preserve the environment.
"Step-by-step, how-to projects for home rain collection, solar panels, food storage, solar energy systems, eco-friendly improvements, bee keeping, and more"--Provided by publisher.
This book is a point of departure for cities that would like to reap the many benefits of ecological and economic sustainability. It provides an analytical and operational framework that offers strategic guidance to cities on sustainable and integrated urban development.
