Description

The Homeowner’s Energy Handbook: Your Guide to Getting Off the Grid

Are you looking for creative ways to lower your energy costs, use renewable energy, generate more of your own power, or become less reliant on the grid? Energy expert Paul Scheckel offers practical advice for taking matters into your own hands.

Understand the fundamentals of solar, wind, water, and biofuel energy production as you make your home ready for renewables. Each chapter of Homeowner’s Energy Handbook provides a comprehensive discussion of renewable energy sources along with “green guides” for building your own energy-saving—and energy-producing—equipment.

Step-by-step instructions show you how to build a bicycle-powered generator, a biodiesel processor, a thermosiphon solar hot-water collector, a biogas generator, a smokeless wood-gas camp stove, and more.

Whether you want to button up your house to be more energy-efficient, find deep energy savings, or take your home entirely off the grid, this guide has the knowledge and skills you need to reduce your use, then produce!

Softcover, 288 pages.

Reviews

Name: The Homeowner's Energy Handbook
SKU: 707
Price: 24.95 USD
Availability: InStock

As energy prices rise and the pressure grows to wean ourselves from climate-damaging fossil fuels, interest in energy efficiency and off-the-grid living is growing. Drawing on his extensive expertise as a home-energy consultant, Scheckel has crafted a masterfully clear and accessible guide to incorporating power-saving strategies in the home for anyone with the time and ambition to follow them. The first half of the book focuses on improving home-energy efficiency, including recipes for conducting your own energy audit, retrofitting windows and basements to prevent leakage, and wiring the home for monitoring gas and electric usage. The second, more-challenging half covers the installation of alternative energy devices such as solar hot-water heaters, windmills, and hydroelectric turbines. The most eye-opening chapter here is one on biogas, a novel fuel source derived from decaying food and animal waste. With plenty of lucidly written instructions, well-drawn illustrations, and user-friendly sidebars, Scheckel’s manual is an indispensable reference for library how-to sections and homeowners hoping to cut the cord from their corporate power suppliers.–Carl Hays, Booklist

“A masterfully clear and accessible guide to incorporating power-saving strategies in the home … With plenty of lucidly written instructions, well-drawn illustrations, and user-friendly sidebars, Scheckel’s manual is an indispensable reference for library how-to sections and homeowners hoping to cut the cord from their corporate power suppliers.”

“Provides readers with cost-effective, self-empowered, and energy-efficient home-energy solutions … a one-of-a-kind resource.”

“We all want to lower our energy bills, but alternative energy can be a bit daunting. This great manual is a fantastic introduction to what’s possible and practical. … Chock-full of practical advice and realistic assessments of alternative energy, this book is superior to others on the topic due to its accessibility, organization, and balance. Home-owners can easily pick and choose from projects without fear of becoming overwhelmed. Highly recommended.”

“A must for those who want to live off grid or simply want to use less energy or live more sustainably.”

About the Author

Paul Scheckel is an energy auditor and consultant who has visited more than 3,000 homes, educating people about energy efficiency, cost-effective improvements, and indoor air quality. His articles have appeared in such publications as Mother Earth News, Home Power, and Vermont Life, and he contributes a monthly energy and environment column to two state-wide newspapers. A frequent radio guest, Scheckel has also appeared twice as a guest expert on the acclaimed television show “Ask this Old House.” He lives off-grid in northern Vermont with his family in a solar- and wind-powered house.

A “hands-on, off-grid” homesteader, and energy efficiency and renewable energy professional, Paul’s writing comes from professional experience and personal ppassion. Energy auditor, consultant, renewable energy system installer, electric car converter, master of gaining experience the hard way. He is a frequent presenter at efficiency and renewable energy conferences, has been a guest on various radio shows, and takes on new experiences in part to have the opportunity to write about them! He walks the talk, harvesting energy for his off-grid home powered by wind, sun, wood, vegetable oil, and sometimes even homemade biogas. Paul is available to present or offer workshops at your sustainable energy event! www.nrgrev.com.