Solar Home Heating Basics

by Chiras, Dan; Rao, Anil, Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9780865716636
• ISBN10: 0865716633
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-05-08
• Publisher: New Society Pub

Summary

As fossil fuel supplies dwindle, home heating will be one of the major challenges in temperate and cold climates in upcoming years. The reserves of natural gas used to heat the majority of North American buildings are rapidly being depleted. This latest Green Energy Guide helps readers who want to slash their energy bills and reduce their dependence on scarce resources to navigate the sometimes confusing maze of clean, reliable, and affordable options. Solar Home Heating Basicsfocuses on renewable energy strategies to heat new and existing homes and small businesses. These include: Energy efficiency, weatherization, and insulation Solar hot air heating Solar thermal systems Passive solar heating Backup heating systems While most solar home heating resources are geared primarily towards new buildings, this practical guide addresses ways of retrofitting existing buildings, making solar a reality for many people. Packed with all the essential information home and small business owners need to find alternatives to conventional heating solutions, Solar Home Heating Basicsis your key to a personal energy solution. Dan Chirasis a respected educator and the author of thirty books on residential renewable energy and green building, including The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energyand Power from the Sun. Dan is the director and lead instructor at the Evergreen Institute's Center for Renewable Energy and Green Building, where he teaches workshops on energy efficiency, solar electricity, solar hot water, small wind energy, green building, natural plasters, and natural building.

Author Biography

Dan Chiras, Ph.D. is a respected educator and author of more than 30 books on residential renewable energy and green building including The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy. He is the director of The Evergreen Institute, where he teaches workshops on solar electricity, passive solar design, small wind energy systems, energy efficiency and green and natural building.

Table of Contents

How Will We Heat Our Homes?	p. 1
A Primer on Energy and Energy Efficiency	p. 9
The Prerequisite to Renewable Energy: Seal up the Leaks!	p. 23
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!	p. 39
Understanding Solar Energy	p. 59
Passive Solar Heating: Low-Tech, High Performance	p. 73
Retrofitting Your Home for Passive Solar	p. 89
Solar Hot Air	p. 103
Solar Hot Water Heating	p. 119
Energy-Efficient Backup Heat	p. 149
Resource Guide	p. 168
Index	p. 178
About the Author	p. 185
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