Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts

Keeping Warm in Hard Times: The Art of Saving Money on Home Heating Costs Review

Keeping Warm in Hard Times: The Art of Saving Money on Home Heating Costs
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Have you ever wished at times that you knew everything that someone who knows the home heating field knows? Here is all the inside information and knowledge that I have about how to keep your house warm for less. I wrote this book because I was unable to find a book like it. A book that is focused on saving on home heating costs, not on reducing your "carbon footprint" or just the little minor energy savings projects featured in other books. I also made it a point to correct the deficiencies I disliked in other books, like omitting key details like books on wood heating failing to discuss how to light a fire. Failure to recommend specific models or list a price or a web page for more information. I also include installation details so you know what it takes to install something, and I also cover how to operate it. While I do cover the many little things you can do to reduce drafts and improve the efficiency of your existing heating unit, in my book the main point is about the big things that you can do to greatly reduce your home heating costs. If you have been reading the news for the last few years, you already know that in the near future we can expect large increases in the cost of energy. The purpose of my book is to educate you about what options are available to heat your home for less, and what you can do now to dramatically reduce what it costs to keep your home warm. So when energy costs do go through the roof, you will still be able to afford to heat your home. Folks, as bad as things maybe at the moment, this is still the calm before the storm. Now is the time to get ready by remodelling your home so it is easier to heat and can be heated with cheaper fuels in more efficient heating units. I also strongly advise the wisdom of having more than one source of heat, so that you have a back up in case one fuel becomes too expensive to heat with or is unavailable. I also cover what to do in black outs and when you can't afford to pay the heating bills. Plus I have one chapter on air conditioning on how to reduce your AC electric bill or even how to be comfortable without AC.
If by the time you are reading this; energy costs have already exploded and you have no money to do much of anything with, I also cover things that you can do yourself without spending a lot and some heating tricks that don't cost a dime but can save you some money. While you would have been far better off to have taken corrective steps earlier, you can still make the best of it by doing what you can to reduce your heating costs. I discuss what you can do to improve your current heating system performance and what you can do to keep from freezing when you can not afford heat or don't have heat.


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How would you like to reduce your monthly heating bill by over 75 percent? Huge reductions in heating costs are possible for most homeowners. Learn how you can reduce your heating costs by reducing your home's heat loses, upgrading to a higher efficiency-heating unit and switching to a cheaper heating fuel.Learn what heating options are available today including geothermal heat pumps, outdoor wood boilers, coal, solar heating, wood pellets, corn, grass pellets, biofuels and others, and see how they stack up against each other in terms of installation costs and operating costs. Included are what to do when you cannot afford heat, when the furnace breaks, heating in blackouts, when the gas stops as well as how to save on air conditioning costs and how to super insulate your house. A do-it-yourself book about how you can retrofit your existing house into the energy efficient home of tomorrow. (20 chapters, 356 pages)

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Power to Change the World: Alternative Energy and the Rise of the Solar City Review

Power to Change the World: Alternative Energy and the Rise of the Solar City
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This woman is a phd in Software design - NOT mechanical engineering. I have seen her speak as well. She is nothing more than another lay person (no expert) with an opinion of global warming. This is just a hobby for her and it shows. NO expertise or depth of knowledge in her work. This is just a rehash of silly environmentalist junk. Save the world by using flourescent bulbs and driving a Prius. Whatever! She gave a speech at National Engineers Week and was all but laughed off the stage. Way Way Way out of her league. Her book is something maybe a junior high student or entry level environmentalist might want to read, but don't buy it.

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After WWII, in a memoir entitled "The Gathering Storm," Churchill described the buildup to war in terms that evoke uncomfortable comparisons. Today, the palpable sense of another storm gathering demands attention as the sources of instability, once underestimated, reach the headlines. But something crucially different underlies this new threat, something not seen before.While we have previously faced the growing popularity of utopian, totalitarian ideologies with global aspirations, we had not until now experienceda looming U.S. energy crisis inextricablyintertwined with the threat.In the worst scenario, taking the brunt of this coming storm could result in a global economic, political, social, and ecological disaster. My book, which is the result of a uniquely broad-based, three-year investigation, is built on the premise that the complex threat we face can be mitigated by addressing the energy crisis.Written for the general public and government leaders, it describes how we got to this critical point in our history, what has kept us from effective action, and how we can stop funding our enemies, stop polluting our planet, regain our energy independence, and put Western Civilization on a more secure foundation.

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Logs, Wind and Sun: Handcraft Your Own Log Home ... Then Power It with Nature Review

Logs, Wind and Sun: Handcraft Your Own Log Home ... Then Power It with Nature
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Logs, Wind and Sun is one of those rare books that is both packed with useful information and enjoyable to read. I only wish it had been available five years ago when my husband and I started drawing up plans for our own log home. We spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars trying to get utilities to our remote mountain building site. This book clearly lays out alternative power solutions that can give you the freedom to live with all the modern conveniences you need miles from the nearest power pole. The authors personal experience provides the framework for the book, but they have obviously done their homework, and all their recommendations are backed up by copious facts. The book is generously sprinkled with photos and illustrations that de-mystify and explain and personal stories that entertain and inspire. LaVonne's Verities and Rex's Maxims give you personal insights and quips. And the writing is several notches above most other how-to books, offering emotional insights into the process of building your own home, as well as the more expected practical fare. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's ever dreamed about building a log home.

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What to Do 'til the Cavalry Comes: A Family Guide To Preparedness in 21st Century America Review

What to Do 'til the Cavalry Comes: A Family Guide To Preparedness in 21st Century America
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I recently attended a preparedness seminar in Long Island, NY sponsored by Congressman Steve Israel. This book is not a guide just for hurricanes, but for most disasters possible in today's world.
The other speakers, the author, and his guide made it clear that WE as individuals and families must take responsibility for ourselves until help arrives, no matter what the situation.
Nothing in the seminar, or the guide was a secret, however, this book puts the basics of being ready in a clear and concise forum and covers the needs to prepare hurricanes, floods & terrorism. It's all about us having food, water, shelter and a plan for ourselves in the event of a disaster.
I found the information to be current and the checklists complete, and yes, even the author's attempts at humor....funny.
I also learned about shelf-stable foods (a term I'd never heard used before) I'm ordering a couple of cases of the A-Pack MREs for my family and you should too....the samples I got were great.
It's a quick and easy book to read and will be a part of my preparedness kit.


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The 21st Century has been a time of unparalleled disasters around the world. Tsunamis, floods and earthquakes of seemingly near-biblical proportions have struck worldwide, while the United States has been hammered by hurricanes, seen flooding take lives and been attacked by terrorists who continue to threaten our national security to this day.
Since the attacks of 9/11, our elected leadership has repeatedly issued warnings for all Americans to prepare—yet most have not.
Having seen the government's failures after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, who would you rather depend on to provide for your family's needs after a disaster?
What to Do 'til the Cavalry Comes gives families a basic plan, one most anybody can live by. It is a must-read for those who wish to improve their readiness for living in 21st Century America, knowing—"When you live prepared, you're prepared to live!"

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Solar Home, The (How-To Guides) Review

Solar Home, The (How-To Guides)
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As a compliment to other books on the subject this one would suffice to add some detail, but I certainly am glad it's not the only book on solar home building I own. The material seems to be presented from a limited, but technical, scope of understanding. Although some technical and accurate information has found it's way into the pages of this book, I have found it on all levels to be missing what ever mysterious combination of qualities makes a good user friendly how to book. From my reading of other books on the subject what fresh material and/or thought this book brings to the subject seems to be either contrary or obsolete. The methodology in this book seems particularly biased to a very limited way of covering the concerns of anyone interested in passive solar homes. Again this book could potentially supplement a reasonible collection, but I'm glad it's not my only book on the subject, and I'm certainly glad that it wasn't my first book on the subject! I'm not saying that this book is all wrong, but I find it to be far from alright! If you haven't bought a book on this subject yet, keep looking...I reccomend THE PASSIVE SOLAR HOUSE by James Kachadorian instead, it is more complete and more in touch!

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The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating and Cooling Review

The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating and Cooling
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As a Licensed Professional Engineer, the book "The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating and Cooling" has a very good six page chapter on "What Will It Cost?" The 8.5 by 5.5 inch book of photographs, drawings, charts, graphs, etc, are sufficient for the general understanding of geothermal heating systems.
This was one of two books on Geothermal Heating & Cooling ordered through Amazon with expedited shipping, because my current system was out of order. Very fortunately, they arrived 24 hours before the contractor arrived to start making measurements. The two books saved me a fortune, because the the contractor had low balled his earlier verbal estimate to one-third of the real cost. When challenged by the two books in front of him, the price tripled. Needless to say, other arrangements have been made.

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Discover why geothermal heating and cooling is the most energy efficient technology available to homeowners, and how all homes--new or retrofit, in hot or cold climates--can use this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth. Contents: - Geothermal system options, including open-loop, closed-loop and DX configurations, using horizontal and vertical earth loops - The importance of finding a qualified contractor - Costs, tax credits and payback issues, plus calculating increased home values - Who is using geothermal energy, including the author s firsthand experiences, home profiles from around the country as well as an overview of commercial/institutional projects - How solar electricity can be used to power the system, plus other future trends - Unraveling the science and technology of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) - Understanding GHP performance standards, ratings and warranties - Comprehensive appendix with helpful resources (manufacturers, associations, etc.) and a career section for those interested in entering the field

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Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)) Review

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home and Garden))
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This is a good introduction to how the energy from the sun can be put to practical everyday use. If you don't like to read a lot of technical stuff, this book is for you. Quick, easy reading the non-technical average person. with references for more information. This book has practical projects for the person who already has some knowledge of solar energy as well. If you're looking for a really detailed technical book of how to design and install your own solar collector (electrical or water), better get a different book. My 5-star rating is for those who are beginners or those that have a little knowledge of solar energy.

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The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America—now in an updated edition
Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you're looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you!
This new edition gives you hands-on tips and techniques for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. Plus, you'll get all the latest information on changes to federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and tax incentives that seek to make solar-power adoption more feasible.
Expanded coverage of the technology that underpins full-scale solar-power systems for the home
New small- and mid-sized solar products, projects, and applications
Rik DeGunther is a design engineer who started his own energy consulting firm

Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest DIY solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

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Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) Review

Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
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Despite Federal tax credits (up to 30% of the total cost, including installation) for solar water heating there's a lack of information on the subject.
For a handyman with good plumbing skills, or a homeowner wanting to learn about solar water heating, this is the best book available.
After a history of solar water heating in the US, the book describes various systems that use the sun to heat and store water. Climate, freeze conditions, water quality and amount of sunlight available are some of the factors considered in choosing a system, and the book describes them all. Individual components are detailed in a logical, straightforward way. It's obvious the authors have extensive practical knowledge. The writing style is informal and easy to read.
Besides all the solar water heating information, this book also has a good section on radiant floor heating, detailing the use of PEX tubing to heat a concrete slab.
The book uses a lot of drawings to demonstrate how things work. More actual photographs of systems and components would have been helpful. I also wish the authors would have included brand names and sources for equipment. The industry still suffers from the stigma of poorly designed systems of the 1970's and 80's. Some reassurances from the authors regarding which component manufacturers are good would have been nice.
For the past five years, I've lived with a solar water heating system I bought as a package and installed myself. I've been happy with all the "free" hot water it's provided. If this book had been available when planning my system I would have had a much better idea of what I was doing. Having all the components matched and sized with specific instructions gave me a lot of confidence during installation. In my opinion, for the neophyte, a component package is a good way to go.
For anyone planning a residential sized solar water heating system, this is the best book available. It's an excellent guide, whether you decide to choose the individual components yourself, buy a package, or hire a contractor to install a turnkey system.
If you're a contractor or someone wanting to get into the solar water heating business, "Solar Hot Water Systems - Lessons Learned 1977 to Today" (Tom Lane) is very good, but the amount of technical detail implies you already have a good working knowledge of plumbing and roofing. [...]
Good luck getting into hot water!

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Heating water with the sun is almost as old as humankind itself, and it is done all over the world. Yet there are strangely few resources on the topic in North America.

Solar Water Heating fills this gap. It reviews the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, then presents the basics of solar water heating, including an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation and energy economics. Drawing on the author's experience as an installer of these systems, the book goes on to cover:

Types of solar collectors, solar water and space heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages
System components, their installation, operation, and maintenance
System sizing and siting
Choosing the appropriate system.

Since people often get turned off by the up-front cost, the book focuses especially on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems can save significant costs in the long run. Well-illustrated, the book is designed for a wide readership from the curious to the student or professional.

Bob Ramlow is the solar thermal consultant for the Wisconsin Focus on Energy Program. The owner of a renewable energy company, he has over 30 years experience with solar energy systems and is a founder and director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Benjamin Nusz currently works as a solar water heating consultant and site assessor in Wisconsin.


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