Customer Reviews (1)

I've Already Saved Money
Living in Andover, MA -- in chilly New England -- I really appreciated the many money-saving tips in this book.Just by following a few simple steps I think I've already saved the price of the book many times over on home heating and hot water heating.There are some bigger projects that I think I'll undertake, because the book explains them so well and I'm sure those will save me hundreds this heating season and more hundreds in future heating seasons.I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in saving money -- and who isn't interested in that? ... Read more

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Energy costs are on the rise again, but simply knowing that fact isn't enough. This book explains what you can do to cut those ever-rising costs. You don't need to be a master mechanic with an expensive workshop, simply an interested reader who wants to fight fuel costs, conserve natural resources & increase your home's efficiency. Designed for easy access, the book offers 100s of simple suggestions that will pay off immediately, including: easy ways to seal cold air leaks under doors; how to use sun heat -- without incurring costs -- now; deciding what you want before you open the refrigerator; & closing the fireplace damper. By changing a few habits you can save lots of money. ... Read more

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Over 250 exciting plans of one-and two-story homes with energy-saving features. Includes designs with energy-efficient exterior walls, earth-sheltered homes, homes with sun rooms or solariums and much more! Complete construction blueprints available. ... Read more

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This highly anticipated follow-up to the massively successful Ecoholic focuses on the home as the mainstay of sustainable living.

Our resident Ecoholic comes to the rescue again, offering reminders and tips on how to keep your castle (however humble) clean, energy-efficient and healthy. We spend so much time at home — why not make it a sustainable haven instead of a polluting, off-gassing cesspool? Ecoholic Home addresses the green side of the economic crisis, and includes a resource guide for finding designers and contractors, and for renovating and shopping green.

• Cleaning: product comparisons, disposal reminders, laundry tips
• Cooking: avoiding Teflon, omitting Bisphenol A, reducing packaging
• Powering: green energy (solar and geothermal), bundling (Bullfrog)
• Maintaining: dehumidifiers, lighting options, ice removers
• Renovating: buying energy-efficient appliances, choosing environmentally friendly building materials, insulating your home
• Moving: LEED-certified homes, “greening” your first apartment ... Read more

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Solar greenhouses differ from conventional greenhouses in that they are designed to both collect and retain solar energy, and thus reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating. ... Read more

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A guidebook to answer your questions about mobile and manufactured homes. 224 pages contain the collective experience of many experts in construction, weatherization, and repair. More than 200 drawings, photos, charts, and graphs complement the useful text. The graphics combined with easy-to-understand writing, make technical information readily understandable. A must have for mobile home owners. ... Read more

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Book for the Kindle: Top 15 Ways to Save Money on Everything! Save money on car insurance, auto loans, credit cards, gas, car repairs, home improvements, home energy costs, prescription drugs, vacations, travel and MORE!!

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Twelve section double sided foldout ... Read more

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Solar Panel Engineered Blueprints Engineered blueprint including highly detailed step by step instructions on where to buy the material and what size exactly each piece needs to be in order to achieve maximum efficiency.* Enjoy free heat forever!!! No electricity required with this thermosiphoning design, just free heat.* Our objective is to spread the word about using Solar Thermal Panels to heat your home, and give you the most efficient design available. These Solar Panels will outperform others, they add beauty and will modernize your home. Step by step instructions included, any handyman can create these beautiful Solar Panels for $100 of material each, then enjoy free energy forever. Solar Panels typically sell for over $1000 each.* Solar Panels will add value to your home. The design and function of the upper vent allows for easier home installation.Roof installation is also possible but only for an expert or a solar professional.* The exterior Solar Panels do not interfere with windows or block energy already entering windows. All the heat generated is free extra heat, they put out an estimated 2500 BTU of heat for each 2' x 8' panel. * Construction: Solid and durable building construction materials are part of the design. The genius of this engineered design is to take advantage of such a high optical clarity of glazing, and the design thermally protects the heated air from the glazing. The Solar Panel design is perfect for cold climates. It will put out a huge amount of heat no matter how cold it is outside.* Summer Cooling: Yes, the Solar Panels are also used to create geothermal type cooling in the summer nights. The opposite is done in the summer, keep the vents closed during the day, and then manually open them wide at night. The air flow for summer cooling is automatically reversed with thermosiphoning cool air coming out from the bottom vent, no electricity required. ... Read more

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In The Homeowner's Guide to Energy Efficiency, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi help homeowners set realistic personal goals for reducing their energy consumption. Their methods for making homes more energy efficient will also improve comfort, safety, durability, and resale value. They guide readers through the process of assessing current energy usage and predicting the benefits and estimating the costs of remodeling options. With projects ranging from simple fixes to large-scale renovations, this book offers solutions for the energy-conscious homeowner, regardless of budget, technical ability, or time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Book review
Book was full of good ideas for this day/age.Shipment was quick and arrived in good condition.

A good resource
I found this book very readable and engaging.It really helped me prioritize my home/energy projects.

Getting Energy Efficient
With the way the economy is these days, saving money takes new importance. One of the ways to do that is by making smart choices about energy efficient appliances and making your home more energy efficient. This book, designed for homeowners aims to just that and argues that any home can be improved from an energy standpoint.

After a two page introduction that touts the benefits of making your home more energy efficient, the book opens with the idea that you need to develop an energy use plan for your home. Chapter One discusses the differences between energy consumption and carbon emissions, the energy costs in the building materials, and how both big and small changes/fixes are important.Everything adds up and adding it all up is the key to determining how much energy you are using whether it is electrical, gas, propane or oil. Basic math is illustrated along with a couple of case studies before ten obvious choices are briefly discussed such as installing programmable thermostats, changing appliances, adding insulation, upgrading windows and doors ,etc.

Chapter Two is all about "Lighting and Appliances" and delves into the topic by explaining what the "Energy Star" program really means, different types of lighting, what you can do with appliances up to and including replacing them. Along with the text, there are plenty of small sidebar tips and illustrations.

"Water Heating" is the theme of Chapter Three which explains different basic terms as well as how to adjust your habits as well as your water heater. Along with what to look for if you want to replace your water heater, how to insulate the tank and/or water lines is covered along with replacing shower heads and how to go about creating a solar water heating system.

"Heating and Cooling First Steps" is the title of Chapter Four. The basics of airflow, humidity, temperature, comfort zones, etc is covered along with the uses of programmable thermostats, ceiling fans, natural ventilation and whole house fans. Also mentioned are solar screens, reflective films, Venetian blinds and how to improve your roof reflectivity among other topics. Illustrations in black and white are included in this chapter as well as throughout the book along with various relevant tables.

Chapter Five, "Landscaping" moves the focus to what you can do with plants and trees.Beyond knowing what your general climate is you need to know your own home's personal microclimate. Which side gets afternoon sun, which side gets that bone breaking north wind in winter, etc. Once you know that, they suggest various ways to create shade, wind breaks, etc. Along with explaining the basic tree forms (columnar, pyramidal, spreading, among others) as well as how to plant and mulch the book guides readers as to the types of plants and trees might fit best in your particular microclimate. The book does not make specific tree recommendations at all and instead gives you the tools to consider what type of tree you need or want before heading down to your local nursery or landscape center to talk specifics.

"Finding and Sealing Air Leaks" is the theme of Chapter Six.Finding the leaks and determining how had they are begins the chapter before an explanation of various materials available to seal the leaks. Black and white pictures and illustrations help with the basic as does the text which also looks at various issues in walls, attics, and ductwork.

Chapter Seven delves into "Insulation" using the same format of defining the topic, determining what is needed. Along with tables and helpful information, the black and white illustrations showing the right and wrong way to install insulation and black and white photographs showing different types of insulation in various types of attics.

"Windows and Doors" and what to do about them is the topic of Chapter Eight.They may be the biggest heat and cooling loss from your home as the authors note. After explaining types of windows and window ratings, types of window treatments and if necessary, window replacement they follow the same format in their discussion of doors.

"Cooling Systems" is the theme of Chapter Nine. After cheerfully noting that "air-conditioning Systems are expensive and environmentally destructive to operate" they suggest various ways to improve the efficiency of your current ac system such as having the system professionally serviced, cleaning the coils, making sure your filters are changed and the system is charged correctly and appropriate for the home. Room ac units also discussed along with the installation and use of an evaporative cooler.

Chapter Ten moves the focus to "Heating Systems" and looks at the same basic issues in the same format. Improving your duct work along with having your system professionally serviced as well as possible replacement systems are key components of this chapter.

"Photovoltaic Systems" such as solar cells, a solar array, etc is the theme of Chapter Eleven. Not every home site is suitable for a solar panel, array or system and this chapter walks you through how to determine if it is a good idea and then how to go about having something installed.

Chapter Twelve has the title of "Moisture Management and Ventilation." Basically, you don't want mold or mildew in your home and this chapter tells you all the horrible ways moisture (mold/mildew, etc) can wreck your home and how to avoid it, find it if you have it, and deal with it.

Finally, if you are "Building a New Home" then Chapter Thirteen is for you. It discusses various construction and design methods you can use to make sure your new home is the best it can be from an energy use and emission stand point.

A list of various resources, a list of suggested internet keyword topic searches relating to each chapter and a four page index bring this helpful and informative book to a close.

While color pictures and illustrations would have been nice, this 180 page book published last year more than adequately address the topic. Filled with highly technical information simplified but never dumbed down for the reader, plenty of photographs and illustrations, this book provides a guidepost to helping the environment and saving the homeowner money in the long run. Everything in the book is doable by most people and the ideas presented are practical and worthwhile. This might not be the only book you would ever need on the subject, but it is a very good book.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009

Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency
I work in the energy conservation field. I am frequently asked by people if there is a reference book that is not filled with technical jargon.Something the layman can understand. I think this book may be it.I saw it on the Amazon web site during a search for energy related reference books. I haven't finished it yet but so far I find it is very informative using illustrations and photos along with explanations of energy saving measures. I recommend it to anyone that would like to make a difference by reducing their energy costs as well as their carbon footprint.

Excellent Book for Energy-Auditor-Wanna-Be's
I am an energy auditor and I spend much time educating people about energy efficiency, conservation, products, building science, and more.This book is a life and time saver!Since it became available, I've been able to point folks to it and have saved myself lots of time.The book is very easy to understand, very thorough, with good graphics.Everyone who owns a home should have this book.And, everyone who is wanting to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint, AND fix their home should have this book. ... Read more

Product Description
We have all heard the news: oil prices have exceeded $100 a barrel and natural gas rates have exploded by 74% over the past four years. And these costs will continue to rise. So how can the average homeowner lower their energy bill and still maintain a comfortable, healthy, and green house? The answer is: Bruce Harley's 150 Ways to Cut Your Energy Bills Today. Offering eye-opening incentives and easily achievable methods, Harley's uncluttered and organized approach will not only benefit the environment, it will help anyone reduce their heating, cooling, and electrical expenses. Highlighted by numbered tips and techniques for easy reference, the book presents a treasure trove of simple and inexpensive ways for cutting energy costs by up to 20% -- and even 40% in some cases. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Soild starter
This book is a solid starter for sure. Honestly it is worth the $$ if you follow the advice. Note it is short and sweet on a lot of topics.

Essential Reading!
This book is the best value out there. Because it explains in simple, easy to understand terms the most essential aspects that every person who lives in a dwelling should know about the way our choices about energy affect our homes. Get a copy for all your friends and they will thank you for years to come!

Wanna save money? Get this book
With so much emphasis on energy saving and global warming these days, this book is a great reference for the average homeowner. Written in simple terms with easy-to-understand graphics, anyone can easily understand the causes of heat loss and cold air infiltration, and the solutions. Bruce Harley shows once again why he's one of the foremost experts in building science and energy conservation in America.

A superb guidebook from an obviously expert guide

I own about a dozen DIY books on weatherproofing/weathersealing, interior air quality (IAQ), humidity, moisture, and so forth.Harley's "Insulate and Weatherize" was my hands-down favorite purchase in that category. The writing and photos and diagrams were all intelligent and precise, and Harley's knowledge is several notches above the other authors'. He foresaw issues and problems that our top local HVAC consultant was clueless about. Priceless.

"Cut Your Energy" is like his earlier book in all those ways, but with a different emphasis. There is overlap with the earlier book when it comes to things like hunting-and-destroying air leaks, but most of "Cut Your Energy" is new material. I'd already read a lot in this area, so I knew maybe 45% of the stuff in Cut Your Energy. But the other 55% was worth its weight in gold.

This is an oversize book with tons of detailed text, photos, diagrams, lists of resources and contact info, appendices, and -- our favorite -- "energy-saving" myths. [One example: We had assumed that we should seal off the HVAC vents in unused bedrooms and closets to save energy. Not always true, per Harley.]

Unless you're an expert already, I think this is the book to get.

Conservation & Efficiency
Detailed with lots of photographs for the average person. Systematic for doing a thorough tightening up of your home or office. Does not include a HERS energy audit or a Dulley Energy Efficiency Index inventory, but pretty much include most other things. ... Read more