In an era marked by environmental consciousness and the imperative for sustainable living, the concept of "home" has evolved. It is no longer just a place of shelter; it has become an emblem of our commitment to a harmonious coexistence with the planet we call home. The emergence of energy-efficient green homes stands as a testament to this profound transformation. The need for energy-efficient green homes has never been more pressing. Our planet faces the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. The way we design, build, and inhabit our homes has a profound impact on these global issues. Energy-efficient green homes represent a ray of hope, offering a pathway towards a more sustainable future. We intend to extend our focus to the outdoors, exploring the principles of sustainable landscaping, rainwater harvesting, native plant gardens, and permeable surfaces. The outdoor environment of green homes is an extension of their sustainability, contributing to biodiversity preservation and water conservation. The heart of this book lies in where we present real-world examples of energy-efficient green homes. Through case studies of passive solar straw bale houses, you will witness the principles and concepts discussed in earlier chapters come to life. These homes, built with passion and a commitment to sustainability, serve as inspiring models for a greener future. Let us embark together on a voyage through the world of energy-efficient green homes-a world where innovation meets tradition, where conservation meets comfort, and where every brick, every beam, and every beam of sunlight contributes to a brighter, greener tomorrow.

All about energy efficient home design - buіldіng enclosures, рrоduсt ѕеlесtіоn аnd еnеrgу еffісіеnсу ѕtrаtеgіеѕ. For beginners and owner-builders, green building is a sustainable construction method that has a low impact on the environment. Green buildings usually incorporate LEED standard construction requirements in order to become certified; however, a homeowner can be an "owner builder" and construct their own home without the need of hiring a General Contractor in many cases. The energy efficiency of a home, when designed well, can be as much as 90% efficient, cutting utility bills to an extreme.A tiny house or small "core house" (with all the living essentials--kitchen, bath, living/sleeping area) can be designed into the floor plan wall system so the owner-builder can add on extra bedrooms later on. Energy efficient homes that are truly sustainable incorporate superinsulation and thermal mass along with passive solar home design, and this book explains how to do that. And interestingly it is easy to understand.

Down and dirty – a complete step-by-step guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors Poor heat and moisture management are the enemies of durable, comfortable, and efficient housing, and good building design and construction starts with a solid understanding of good building science. Essential Building Science provides a highly visual and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of building science for residential construction. Part one covers the rationale behind high-performance design and the fundamentals of building physics, including thermal dynamics, moisture transfer, and hygro-thermal dynamics such as vapor drive and condensation. Part two teaches the vital critical thinking skills needed to consider buildings as whole systems and to develop thermal and moisture control strategies regardless of the specifics of the design. Case studies and examples from across North American climatic zones illuminate real-life problems and offer builders, designers, and DIYers the insights and tools required for creating better new buildings and dramatically improving old ones. Good science plus critical thinking equals high performance buildings.

In today's economy and socially conscious environment regarding the environment, many people cannot afford not to start considering ways they can build or remodel their home to ensure it is green. With scientific sources such as the UN council on global warming making statements about the degradation of ice flow and environmental conditions by 2050 and the likelihood that crude oil sources will be used up within the next fifty years, it is especially necessary for young families to consider the implications of re-examining their homes and living situations to be more green. This book will guide you and your family through the process of learning more about and implementing the necessary changes and perspectives needed to change your home or build a new home that is environmentally conscious and prepared for the changing economic and environmental climate in the coming decades. You will learn why people have started to build green and how it can be done in today s regulatory and cost conditions quickly and inexpensively. You will learn how to remodel with green in mind and how to start working with building professionals that can provide the necessary materials, plans, and paperwork you need to proceed. You will learn which materials are best for green building by lifespan and how to choose between various green materials. You will learn how to not only use green materials but to make sure the construction process is green as well. You will learn the basics of framing your building, natural building methods, the energy systems you might use, and the heating cooling options at your disposal. Construction and environmental experts have been interviewed and their expertise is included in this book to help you learn everything you need to accomplish the above as well as to know what kinds of water and waste systems are best, how to site plan and landscape your home, and what the most common myths about green building are. You will learn ten things you can do on any building project to keep it green and any materials you should always have on hand for anything you do around the house. Regardless of whether you are just looking to remodel to make your house greener or are building a new home, this book will give you everything you need to stay green and respect the environment with your home.

THE MOST COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE GUIDE AVAILABLE TO ENERGY SAVINGS IN THE HOME Praise for the Ninth Edition: A Penny-Wise Guide to 'Buttoning Up Your House' -The New York Times ...the most comprehensive resource to home energy savings that I've seen. Every homeowner and environmentally conscious (or utility paying) renter should have a copy. - Green Living The advice here will also save you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. -Better Homes and Gardens The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings has sold nearly a quarter of a million copies. Completely revised to incorporate the latest developments in green technology, this well-organized and highly readable manual is the definitive reference for consumers who want to better their home's performance while reducing their energy bills. Updated and expanded chapters focus on specific aspects of any home, such as heating and cooling, ventilation, electronics, lighting, cooking and laundry, and provide helpful explanations for each, including: - Energy use characteristics - Comparisons between available technologies - Cost-effective repair and replacement options - Step-by-step guidance for finding the right equipment. This comprehensive resource is packed with tips on improving existing equipment and guidance for when and why to invest in new purchases, as well valuable pointers on locating grants or incentives offered by local governments and utilities. It is a must-read for anyone concerned about reducing both their energy bills and their environmental impact. To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them. Jennifer Thorne Amann is the Buildings Program Director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Alex Wilson is the founder of BuildingGreen, Inc., Executive Editor of Environmental Building News, and author of Green Building Products and Your Green Home. Katie Ackerly holds Masters degrees in Architecture and Building Science from UC Berkeley and works for David Baker + Partners, an architecture firm in San Francisco.

Save money and make yourself more self-sufficient by using alternative energy, choosing sustainable materials, and cutting down on waste. This practical guide has all the answers for converting your building to be eco-friendly. Creating an Eco-Friendly Home & Workplace offers accessible information on everything from using better lighting and improving air quality to creating better insulation and installing solar panels. With chapters covering light, power, heat, shelter, air, waste, and water, it covers alterations that anyone can make. Useful information is provided on everything from small and easy adjustments to major projects that make homes healthier. With an emphasis on the three R’s of reduce, reuse and recycle, this book is an indispensable guide for those who want to realize their goals for a greener and more sustainable home and workplace.

GREEN BUILDING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, International Edition provides a current, comprehensive guide to this exciting, emerging field. From core concepts to innovative applications of cutting-edge technology and the latest industry trends, this text offers an in-depth introduction to the construction of "green" homes. Unlike many texts that adopt a product-oriented approach, this book emphasizes the crucial planning, processes, and execution methods necessary for effective, environmentally sound construction. This text demonstrates that Earth-friendly products and energy-efficient materials take planning in order to make a building truly green. This visionary text helps students and professionals develop the knowledge and skills to "think green" from start to finish, empowering and inspiring them to build truly sustainable homes.

Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction: LEED, BREEAM, and Green Globes, Second Edition directly addresses the needs of building professionals interested in the evolving principles, strategies, and concepts of green/sustainable design. Written in an easy to understand style, the book is updated to reflect new standards to LEED. In addition, readers will find sections that cover the new standards to BREEAM that involve new construction Infrastructure, data centers, warehouses, and existing buildings. - Provides vital information and penetrating insights into three of the top Green Building Codes and Standards applied Internationally - Includes the latest updates for complying with LEED v4 Practices and BREEAM - Presents case studies that draws on over 35 years of personal experience from across the world

Handbook of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: A Life Cycle Approach offers a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the subject with a further focus on the Life Cycle. The editors, renowned academics, invited a diverse group of researchers to develop original chapters for the book and managed to well integrate all contributions in a consistent volume. Sections cover the role of the building sector on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, international technical standards, laws and regulations, building energy efficiency and zero energy consumption buildings, the life cycle assessment of buildings, from construction to decommissioning, and other timely topics. The multidisciplinary approach to the subject makes it valuable for researchers and industry based Civil, Construction, and Architectural Engineers. Researchers in related fields as built environment, energy and sustainability at an urban scale will also benefit from the books integrated perspective. - Presents a complete and thorough coverage of energy efficiency in buildings - Provides an integrated approach to all the different elements that impact energy efficiency - Contains coverage of worldwide regulation