The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy

by Chiras, Dan

• ISBN13: 9780865715363
• ISBN10: 086571536X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-31
• Publisher: New Society Pub

Summary

As the Prices of Oil and Natural Gas Rise, homeowners are scrambling to cut their fuel bills and find, economic alternatives to ever more costly fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Responses include dramatically improving home energy efficiency and switching to clean, affordable, and reliable renewable energy resources to heat and cool homes, to provide hot water and electricity, to cook, and even to power vehicles.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction	1	(2)
Renewable Energy and Me	3	(2)
Why Switch to Renewables?	5	(1)
Another Reason for Switching	6	(4)
Averting Global Warming	10	(1)
Is There Hope?	10	(3)
Keeping Your Eye on the Prize	13	(1)
Organization of the Book	14	(3)
Renewable Energy -- Clean, Affordable and Reliable	17	(18)
Making Wise Choices	18	(3)
Understanding Energy	21	(6)
What is Renewable Energy?	27	(1)
The Pros and Cons	28	(4)
Prospects for the Future	32	(3)
Conservation Rules -- The Cornerstone of Your Energy Future	35	(36)
What is Energy Conservation?	38	(4)
Benefits of Energy Conservation	42	(1)
Home Energy Use	43	(2)
Retrofitting Your Home for Energy Efficiency	45	(23)
The Silver Lining	68	(3)
Solar Hot Water Systems -- Satisfying Domestic Hot Water Needs with Renewable Energy	71	(30)
Conventional Hot Water Systems	71	(3)
Tankless Water Heaters	74	(2)
What is a Solar Hot Water System?	76	(1)
A Brief History of Solar Hot Water	77	(2)
Solar Hot Water Systems	79	(13)
Which System is Best for You?	92	(1)
Sizing Your System	93	(3)
Finding a Competent Installer	96	(1)
The Economics of Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems	97	(4)
Free Heat -- Passive Solar, Active Solar, and Heat Pumps	101	(20)
What is Passive Solar Heating?	102	(2)
Is Passive Solar for You?	104	(1)
Types of Passive Solar Design	105	(8)
Getting the Help You Need	113	(1)
Some Final Thoughts on Passive Solar Retrofits	114	(1)
Active Solar Retrofits	114	(1)
Active Hot Air Systems	115	(1)
Heat Pumps	116	(5)
Wood Heat	121	(24)
Retrofitting Fireplaces for Efficiency	121	(1)
Fuel-Efficient Wood Burning Stoves	122	(4)
Shopping for an Efficient, Clean-Burning Wood Stove	126	(8)
Wood Furnaces	134	(2)
Pellet Stoves	136	(1)
Masonry Heaters	137	(8)
Passive Cooling -- Staying Cool All Summer Long, Naturally	145	(24)
What is Passive Cooling?	146	(1)
Tools in the Passive Cooling Toolbox	147	(18)
Building a Better Future	165	(4)
Solar Electricity -- Powering Your Home with Solar Energy	169	(38)
What is a Solar Electric System?	170	(21)
Buying a Solar Electric System	191	(14)
Locating a Reliable Contractor	205	(1)
Why Install Solar Electricity?	206	(1)
Wind Power -- Meeting Your Needs for Electricity	207	(26)
Is Wind Power in Your Future?	208	(1)
Wind Power: A Brief History	209	(1)
Understanding Wind Generators	210	(2)
Wind Systems: Three Basic Options	212	(2)
Is Wind Energy Appropriate Where You Live?	214	(3)
Selecting a Wind Generator and Tower	217	(11)
Financial Matters	228	(2)
Wind Power without Installing a Wind Generator	230	(3)
Microhydro -- Generating Electricity from Running Water	233	(26)
An Introduction to Hydroelectric Systems	234	(1)
The Anatomy of a Microhydro System	235	(2)
Assessing the Feasibility of Your Site	237	(10)
Buying and Installing a System	247	(9)
Finding an Installer or Installing a System Yourself	256	(1)
The Pros and Cons of Microhydro Systems	256	(3)
What's on the Horizon? New Fuels and New Technologies for Homes and Autos	259	(30)
More Fossil Fuels	260	(1)
Hydrogen: Solution or Distraction?	261	(4)
The Hybrid Transition	265	(6)
Plug-In Hybrids	271	(1)
Biodiesel-Powered Vehicles and Homes	272	(4)
Vegetable Oil as Fuel?	276	(5)
What about Ethanol?	281	(2)
Methane Digesters	283	(1)
The Botanical Revolution	283	(3)
Conclusion	286	(3)
Appendix: Metric Conversion	289	(2)
Resource Guide	291	(30)
Selected Titles by the Author	321	(2)
Index	323	(13)
About the Author	336