From the back cover: Presenting the first homeowner's guide to solar water heating that is intended for both the do-it-yourselfer and the person who is going to use a solar installer. It is literally filled with the latest state-of-the-art information that gives you all you need to know to: optimize the efficiency of your present hot water system; survey all the options and select the system that's right for your climate, your house, your hot water needs and your budget; calculate in advance, the amount and value of your solar energy savings; build a high-quality solar collector; plan and execute a professional-quality installation that will heat your domestic water or your swimming pool, hot tub, or spa; use other alternatives to the common water heater, such as efficient heat pump water heaters and systems that heat water with a wood or coal stove; work with a solar installer; and locate important sources of supply for special solar components and hardware.

In The Homeowner's Guide to Energy Efficiency, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi help homeowners set realistic personal goals for reducing their energy consumption. Their methods for making homes more energy efficient will also improve comfort, safety, durability, and resale value. They guide readers through the process of assessing current energy usage and predicting the benefits and estimating the costs of remodeling options. With projects ranging from simple fixes to large-scale renovations, this book offers solutions for the energy-conscious homeowner, regardless of budget, technical ability, or time.

Heating water with the sun is a practice almost as old as humankind itself. Solar Water Heating , now completely revised and expanded, is the definitive guide to this clean and cost-effective technology. Beginning with a review of the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, Solar Water Heating presents an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation and energy economics. Drawing on the authors' experiences as designers and installers of these systems, the book goes on to cover: Types of solar collectors, solar water and space heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages System components, their installation, operation, and maintenance System sizing and siting Choosing the appropriate system. This book focuses on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems generate significant savings in the long run. With many diagrams and illustrations to complement the clearly-written text, this book is designed for a wide readership ranging from the curious homeowner to the serious student or professional.