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.

Book features Forward, Contents, Builder's Matrix. The information in this book was developed primarily for home builders, but others will find it useful. The book is intended to be national in scope, so all of the construction information and examples are not relevant for all climates. At the end of each section, readers will find "Interactions," references to other sections of the book that describe design strategies, systems, components, or materials that interact in important ways with the topic of the chapter.

The green building movement has produced hundreds of “how-to” books and websites that are filled with tips about green building and what homeowners should do to go green. While helpful and informative, when it comes to making actual purchasing and installation decisions, these books do not make it any easier for a homeowner to prioritize against a budget. Here, Schifman shares her knowledge and experience for others to use in their journey toward a greener way of living. Whether the reader is building a new home or doing a minor remodel, a homeowner needs a framework by which to guide their decisions. These decisions are based on values, and the author posits that there are really only three reasons to go green: For Our Health: By building more sustainably, we reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. For Our Wealth: By building a more durable home and being more efficient with resources like water and electricity, we reduce our monthly utility bills and ongoing maintenance expenses. For Our Soul: Collectively doing the right thing for our planet does make a difference—and that is soul-nourishing. Learn the logistics of choosing windows, insulation, appliances, and lighting. Find out about FSC certified wood and about using reclaimed materials. Here is everything you need to make your home sustainable.

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.

Während die Effizienz- und Nachhaltigkeitsoffensive in den meisten Wirtschaftsbereichen in vollem Gang ist, steht das Bauen damit noch ganz am Anfang – ökonomisch wie ökologisch. Die Politik auf globaler, europäischer und nationaler Ebene nimmt sich dieses Defizits inzwischen zunehmend an und versucht es durch rechtliche Anforderungen und Gesetze wie EnEV, Gebäudezertifizierungen und Wettbewerbe wettzumachen. Der Energie Atlas gibt in der bewährten Form der Atlanten eine umfassende Darstellung der konstruktiven Parameter von Energieeffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit wieder. Er nimmt die von der EU geplanten gesetzlichen Regulierungen vorweg und weist als unmittelbar verwendbare Arbeitshilfe für die tägliche Arbeit von Architekten, Ingenieuren und Designern den Weg zu effizientem und nachhaltigem Bauen und Betreiben von Gebäuden. Mit seiner Orientierung am gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Gebäudes leistet er eine ganzheitliche Betrachtung – eine unverzichtbare Voraussetzung für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften.