The Homeowner's Energy Handbook: Your Guide to Getting Off the Grid

by Scheckel, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781612120164
• ISBN10: 1612120164
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-03-12
• Publisher: Workman Pub Co

Summary

The Backyard Homestead Guide to Energy Self- Sufficiency is a perfect primer for homeowners looking for hands-on ways to generate their own power. Energy expert Paul Scheckel offers practical solutions for adapting solar, wind, wood gasification, biogas, and micro hydro power systems for home use. Step-by-step instructions show how to build a wood gasifier, a solar heat collector, a bicycle-powered generator, and other energy-saving equipment. Readers will learn how to make their own transportation fuels, such as ethanol, wood gas methanol, and biodiesel, and how to convert kitchen compost into renewable natural gas. Whether homeowners are motivated by the desire for backup systems when the power fails, the desire for lower energy costs, or the dream of living completely off the grid, The Backyard Homestead Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency will give them the knowledge and skills needed to generate their own power.

Author Biography

PaulScheckel is an energy auditor and consultant who has visited more than 3,000 homes, educating people about energy efficiency, cost-effective improvements, and indoor air quality. His articles have appeared in such publications as Mother Earth News, Home Power, and Vermont Life, and he contributes a monthly energy and environment column to two state-wide newspapers. A frequent radio guest, Scheckel has also appeared as a guest expert on the acclaimed television show “Ask this Old House”. He lives off-grid in northern Vermont with his family in a solar- and wind-powered house.

Table of Contents

Introduction

 

Part One: Home Energy Efficiency

1 Getting Ready for Renewables

The Big and Little Energy Picture * Basic Considerations * Systems and Planning * Renewable Habits * The Value of Electricity * Energy Action in Cuba * Build a Bicycle-Powered Battery Charger

 

2 Do Your Own Energy Audit

Getting Started * Electricity * Hot Water * Heating and Air Conditioning * Thermal Envelope * Windows * Prioritizing Your Improvements

 

3 Insulating Your Home

How Heat Moves * Measuring Insulation Value * Insulation Inspection * How Much Insulation Do You Need? * Choosing and Installing Insulation * Stopping Air and Moisture * Roof Venting * When "High Performance" Doesn't Perform

 

4 Deep Energy Retrofits

Looking at the Big Picture * A Team with a Plan * The Basement * Above-Grade Walls * Windows * The Roof * Air Leakage * Ventilation * Heating and Air Conditioning * Hot Water

 

5 Home Energy Monitoring

Electric Energy Monitoring * Gas Monitoring * Environmental Monitoring * My Hot Water Heating Story

 

Part Two: Renewable Energy

6 Solar Hot Water

Types of Systems * Solar Hot Water Collectors * Hot Water Storage * Additional System Components * Sizing the System * Maintenance * Homemade Hot Water * Build a Solar Hot Water Batch Heater

 

7 Solar Electric Generation

Solar Power Potential * Planning for a PV System * PV System Wiring * Orientation * Racks and Tracking * Economics * Safety * Living with Solar (and Wind) Power

 

8 Wind Electric Generation

Using Wind Energy at Home * Estimating Energy in the Wind * Estimating Wind Speed * Efficiency and Power * Wind Machines and Controls * Towers * Foundations and Anchoring * Maintenance * Safety * Wiring and Grounding * Wind Wisdom from an Expert

 

9 Hydro Electric Generation

Home Hydro * Calculating Hydro Energy * Measuring Flow and Estimating Power * Intake Site Selection * Penstock Pipe Selection * Turbines * Power Generators * System Efficiency

 

10 Renewable Electricity Management

Grid-Tie vs. Off-Grid * Definition of Terms * Electrical Wiring * Balance of System Components * Batteries * Mapping Motivations ... and Watts

 

11 Biodiesel

Venturing into Biodiesel * What Is Biodiesel? Benefits and Drawbacks * Essential Ingredients * Equipment Needs * Safety * Basic Steps for Making Biodiesel * Mixing Biodiesel with Other Fuels * Washing Biodiesel * Veggie Oil Conversion * Create a Biodiesel Kit

 

12 Wood Gas

Wood Doesn't Burn * How Wood Gas Generators Work * Four Stages of Gasification * Gasifier Operation * Cleaning and Filtering Wood Gas * Using Wood Gas * Storing Gas * Types of Gasifiers * Working Safely around Wood Gas * Two Men and a Truck * Build a Simple Wood Gas Cook Stove

 

13 Biogas

The Basics * Recipe for Making Gas * Solids, Liquids, and Volatile Solids * Temperature * Retention Time and Loading Rate * Types of Methane Generators * Using Biogas * Purifying Biogas * Biogas Is More than a Gas * Make a Biogas Generator

 

Resources

Metric Conversion Charts

Index