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.
Transform your living spaces into eco-friendly havens with Eco-Friendly DIY: Creative Projects for a Greener Home. This guide is your companion on a journey of creativity and sustainability. Dive into a collection of hands-on projects that reimagine everyday items, turning them into environmentally conscious treasures. From upcycled decor to energy-efficient solutions, discover how your crafting can contribute to a greener planet. Craft a home that reflects your style and values, one project at a time. Join the movement of conscious creators shaping a more vibrant and eco-friendlier world
The authors of "Green from the Ground Up" explore the design and construction of self-sufficient houses. With unequaled knowledge and a passion for the subject, the authors walk readers through the process of building and living in a truly green home.
"Green construction is the building trend of the decade. In direct response to the growing demand for sustainable, healthy, and energy-efficient homes, David Johnston and Scott Gibson present the most forward-thinking theories and the best proven methods of new and remodeled green construction. They begin with down-to-earth explanations of green building basics and move on to site planning, materials selection, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality -- detailing along the way every step in design and construction, from framing to finishes" -- back cover.
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.
**The Green Home Blueprint** Unlock the secrets to transforming your home into an eco-friendly sanctuary with "The Green Home Blueprint!" This comprehensive guide is your ultimate resource for making sustainable living accessible and practical. Whether you're starting your green journey or looking to enhance your current efforts, this book delivers clear, actionable advice to help you create a healthier, more energy-efficient home. Dive into Chapter 1 and gain an essential understanding of your home's energy footprint. Learn to identify and eradicate common energy-wasting habits and discover the myriad benefits of an energy-efficient household. In Chapter 2, explore effective insulation and air sealing techniques, from DIY projects to professional services, ensuring your home remains cozy and cost-effective year-round. Chapter 3 delves into optimizing your heating and cooling systems with smart thermostats and regular maintenance tips. Uncover renewable energy options in Chapter 4, including solar, wind, and geothermal solutions, to significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Sustainable water usage is made simple in Chapter 5 with water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling. Illuminate your home with eco-friendly lighting solutions from Chapter 6, and select sustainable building materials in Chapter 7 to ensure every aspect of your living space is green. Chapter 8 guides you through choosing energy-efficient home appliances to maximize efficiency across your kitchen, laundry, and electronics. Reduce waste effectively with strategies from Chapter 9, and improve your indoor air quality with non-toxic paints, air-purifying plants, and better ventilation in Chapter 10. Chapter 11 offers eco-friendly home cleaning tips, while Chapter 12 focuses on sustainable furniture and decor. Enhance your landscape sustainably with Chapter 13âs native plants, organic gardening, and green lawn alternatives. Chapter 14 provides water and energy-efficient landscaping strategies, including drip irrigation and mulching. Get inspired to build an eco-friendly home office, manage energy usage efficiently, and understand the financial aspects of going green with Chapters 15 to 18. Involve the whole family in sustainability efforts with Chapter 19, and stay informed on the latest green technologies and innovations in Chapter 20. "The Green Home Blueprint" is your essential guide to creating an environmentally friendly, cost-saving, and forward-thinking household. Start making impactful changes today and embrace a greener lifestyle for a sustainable tomorrow.
There is no "one-size-fits-all" plan for so-called "green" homes; rather, there are universal principles of design that can be applied to individual tastes and needs. Architect Angela Dean offers a variety of ways to incorporate green building into your home, including using healthy building materials such as straw bales and natural flooring, taking advantage of local materials and resources, reusing gray water for landscaping, and incorporating passive solar design. Her goal is to teach people how to think about building sustainable homes. Green by Design provides a thorough analysis of what it means to build green and offers advice on what to consider when designing a sustainable home. Green by Design features full-color photographs and line drawings of floor plans show different examples of successful sustainable homes. It also includes in-depth case studies of more than a dozen homes so readers planning a green home can see what worked for others. By providing people with knowledge, inspiration, and the ability to ask the right questions (and understand the answers) Green by Design puts home builders and owners on a path to creating beautiful, environmentally responsible homes that they can be proud to live in. Angela Dean, AIA, is principal architect of AMD Architecture in Salt Lake City. She specializes in environmentally responsible designs to create healthy, comfortable buildings that are in harmony with the environment
GREEN BUILDING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, International Edition provides a current, comprehensive guide to this exciting, emerging field. From core concepts to innovative applications of cutting-edge technology and the latest industry trends, this text offers an in-depth introduction to the construction of "green" homes. Unlike many texts that adopt a product-oriented approach, this book emphasizes the crucial planning, processes, and execution methods necessary for effective, environmentally sound construction. This text demonstrates that Earth-friendly products and energy-efficient materials take planning in order to make a building truly green. This visionary text helps students and professionals develop the knowledge and skills to "think green" from start to finish, empowering and inspiring them to build truly sustainable homes.
Build your home the 'green' way to reduce running costs, be more self-sufficient and create a more comfortable home. Whether you want a turf roof, solar-powered hot water, or a super-insulated house, this book demonstrates that green is the way forward. Written by award-winning architect Jon Broome, The Green Self-Build Book provides an accessible overview of the different methods of sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques. Covering the essential elements of design and the self-build process, this practical book includes information on sustainable foundations, floor finishes and insulation. Jon also shares insights on how to build for comfort and health. Inspiring case studies of green building projects using earth, straw, steel and timber are also included. Packed with attractive colour photos throughout, this is an essential resource for anyone who is planning a self-build project or involved in housing.
