| Acknowledgments |
|
xi | |
| Introduction |
|
1 | (8) |
|
|
|
3 | (3) |
|
|
|
6 | (3) |
|
Chapter 1 Renewable Energy --- Clean, Affordable, and Reliable |
|
|
9 | (22) |
|
|
|
11 | (3) |
|
|
|
14 | (7) |
|
What is Renewable Energy? |
|
|
21 | (1) |
|
The Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy |
|
|
22 | (5) |
|
|
|
27 | (4) |
|
Chapter 2 Conservation Rules --- The Cornerstone of Your Energy Future |
|
|
31 | (44) |
|
|
|
33 | (5) |
|
Energy Conservation as a Renewable Source of Energy |
|
|
38 | (1) |
|
Benefits of Energy Conservation |
|
|
39 | (1) |
|
|
|
40 | (2) |
|
Retrofitting Your Home for Energy Efficiency |
|
|
42 | (33) |
|
Chapter 3 Solar Hot Water Systems --- Satisfying Domestic Hot Water Needs with Solar Energy |
|
|
75 | (34) |
|
Conventional Hot Water Systems |
|
|
75 | (3) |
|
|
|
78 | (3) |
|
What is a Solar Hot Water System? |
|
|
81 | (1) |
|
A Brief History of Solar Hot Water |
|
|
81 | (3) |
|
|
|
84 | (16) |
|
Which System is Best for You? |
|
|
100 | (1) |
|
|
|
101 | (3) |
|
Finding a Competent Installer |
|
|
104 | (1) |
|
The Economics of Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems |
|
|
105 | (4) |
|
Chapter 4 Free Heat --- Passive Solar and Heat Pumps |
|
|
109 | (22) |
|
What is Passive Solar Heating? |
|
|
110 | (2) |
|
Is Passive Solar for You? |
|
|
112 | (3) |
|
Types of Passive Solar Uesign |
|
|
115 | (9) |
|
Getting the Help You Need |
|
|
124 | (1) |
|
Some Final Thoughts on Passive Solar Retrofits |
|
|
125 | (1) |
|
|
|
126 | (3) |
|
|
|
129 | (2) |
|
Chapter 5 Solar Hot Air and Hot Water Systems: Affordable Heat from the Sun |
|
|
131 | (18) |
|
Solar Hot Air Heating Systems |
|
|
131 | (11) |
|
Solar Hot Water Heating Systems |
|
|
142 | (1) |
|
Solar Hot Water Space-Heating Systems |
|
|
143 | (5) |
|
|
|
148 | (1) |
|
|
|
149 | (24) |
|
Retrofitting Fireplaces for Efficiency |
|
|
149 | (1) |
|
Fuel-Efficient Wood Burning Stoves |
|
|
150 | (4) |
|
Shopping for an Efficient, Clean-Burning Wood Stove |
|
|
154 | (4) |
|
Pros and Cons of Wood Stoves |
|
|
158 | (4) |
|
|
|
162 | (2) |
|
|
|
164 | (2) |
|
|
|
166 | (7) |
|
Chapter 7 Passive Cooling --- Staying Cool Naturally |
|
|
173 | (24) |
|
|
|
174 | (1) |
|
Tools in the Passive Cooling Toolbox |
|
|
175 | (1) |
|
Reducing Internal Heat Gain |
|
|
175 | (1) |
|
Reducing External Heat Gain |
|
|
176 | (19) |
|
|
|
195 | (2) |
|
Chapter 8 Solar Electricity --- Powering Your Home with Solar Energy |
|
|
197 | (42) |
|
What is a Solar Electric System? |
|
|
200 | (23) |
|
Buying a Solar Electric System |
|
|
223 | (14) |
|
Locating a Reliable Contractor |
|
|
237 | (1) |
|
Why Install Solar Electricity? |
|
|
238 | (1) |
|
Chapter 9 Wind Power --- Meeting Your Needs for Electricity |
|
|
239 | (28) |
|
Is Wind Power in Your Future? |
|
|
240 | (1) |
|
Wind Power: A Brief History |
|
|
241 | (2) |
|
Understanding Wind Generators |
|
|
243 | (3) |
|
Wind Systems: Three Basic Options |
|
|
246 | (1) |
|
Is Wind Energy Appropriate Where You Live? |
|
|
247 | (2) |
|
Selecting a Wind Generator and Tower |
|
|
249 | (13) |
|
|
|
262 | (1) |
|
Wind Power without Installing a Wind Generator |
|
|
263 | (4) |
|
Chapter 10 Microhydro --- Generating Electricity from Running Water |
|
|
267 | (26) |
|
An Introduction to Hydroelectric Systems |
|
|
268 | (1) |
|
The Anatomy of a Microhydro System |
|
|
269 | (2) |
|
Assessing the Feasibility of Your Site |
|
|
271 | (2) |
|
Assessing the Potential of a Microhydro Site |
|
|
273 | (8) |
|
Buying and Installing a System |
|
|
281 | (9) |
|
Finding an Installer or Installing a System Yourself |
|
|
290 | (1) |
|
The Pros and Cons of Microhydro Systems |
|
|
290 | (3) |
| A Brief Afterword |
|
293 | (2) |
| Appendix |
|
295 | (2) |
| Resource Guide |
|
297 | (30) |
| Index |
|
327 | |
| About the Author |
|
236 | |