Eco-friendly diy books

For beginners, this book explains what a passive solar house is (it is NOT the same as photovoltaic (PV) panels that produce electricity for your home), and how to design a home so that you can achieve up to 90% energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and thereby save money from the time you move in, month after month, year after year, for the lifetime of the home. A passive solar home is SIMPLE: let the sunshine in through south-facing windows (solar south), keep the sun out in summer (properly designed house overhang), store solar gain in thermal mass (in the home's interior), and prevent heat loss (superinsulate the envelope). There are formulas and easy principles and concepts, rules and guidelines to learn how to design your home, which are provided in this easy-to-read book.

Learning how to construct more environmentally friendly buildings is increasingly a commercial and legal necessity. This handbook provides a detailed reference for environmentally concerned purchasers of building products, and complements perfectly the first handbook. Following the format of the original, this book begins with an overview and introduction by Professor Tom Woolley discussing issues in green building before moving on to consider eight building component types: fencing products, flat roofing membranes, glazing products, electrical wiring, adhesives, straw bale building, interior decoration and indoor air quality and ventilation. The book should be of particular interest to surveyors, architects, local authorities, property managers, housing associations, contractors, and students of building science, architecture, surveying, housing and environmental health.

Sustainable lifestyle blogger and professional Christine Liu takes you on a tour through the rooms of your home - the living area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom - offering tips, tricks and 18 - step-by-step projects designed to help you lead a more low-impact lifestyle. Whether its by making your own toothpaste, converting to renewable energy sources, reducing your consumption of plastic, growing your own herb garden or upcycling old pieces of furniture, there are numerous ways - both big and small - to make a difference.

With environmental issues at the forefront of global politics, the desire to make small changes on an individual level is on the rise; this book will guide anyone hoping to make a difference, but who perhaps don't know where to begin.

This book covers the history of solar water heating, descriptions of every solar water heater ever made, their maintenance and operation; the design, installation and maintenance of closed loop solar energy systems; and a compelling economic argument for solar investments.

Are you looking for a clear and authoritative explanation of sustainable building? This book delivers the choices available to you in an easy-to-follow style which is comprehensive yet jargon-free. The Sustainable Building Bible gives you all of the vital facts and figures together with the pros and cons of each approach to assist you in making a fully-informed decision. It also explains the technologies involved from air pumps, through to wind generators and solar panels, to help you achieve a zero carbon home. If you are looking to build, extend or renovate in a sustainable way this book offers a uniquely clutter-free insight to help you make the right choices for your particular circumstances. The Sustainable Building Bible covers design issues, renewable energy sources, water management, a guide to the relevant UK legislation, SAP calculations, as well as the Code for Sustainable Homes.