Provides consumers with home energy and money savings tips such as insulation, weatherization, heating, cooling, water heating, energy efficient windows, landscaping, lighting, and energy efficient appliances.

The manner in which we produce & consume energy is of crucial importance to sustainable development, as energy has deep relationships with each of its three dimensions -- the economy, the environment & social welfare. These relationships develop in a fast-moving & complex situation characterized by increasing globalisation, growing market liberalisation & new technologies, as well as by growing concerns about climate change & energy-supply security. In order to make energy an integral part of sustainable development, new policies need to be developed. Such policies must strike a balance among the three dimensions of sustainable development. They must reduce our exposure to large-scale risk. The IEA has synthesized a number of experiences with policies aimed to promote sustainable development. These experiences are reported in seven subject chapters on energy supply security, market reform, improving energy efficiency, renewable energies, sustainable transport, flexibility mechanisms for greenhouse gas reductions & on non-Member countries.

"Introduces the reader on how to save electricity"--

A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. "I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years. —Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the Year Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows—ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity—for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts—from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.

Managing a major remodel of your home involves learning various aspects of a construction project: permitting; hiring contractors; clarifying what you really mean and want; managing a budget; overseeing quality, avoiding regrets; doing what’s right for yourself and standing up for yourself. It’s a big job. The learning curve is high and often we homeowners don’t get to apply the skills we learned again. In this book, the stories of a couple going through this learning curve is told through the lens of a novice just like a conversation with a homeowner over a cup of tea. What they thought they wanted (a brand new house in modern minimalist style with solar panels and recycled materials) is very different than what they ended up with (remodel of a 90-year-old house in the classic Arts and Crafts style to meet the stringent international building standard called Passive House). What caused this shift? How did they choose the contractor? How did they navigate out of overwhelm of green building choices? How did they manage the relationships? What would they do differently? Was it worth it? This book chronicles the journey by a couple from choosing the location through living in the house after the renovation completion. It wasn’t all about finding smart people and following expert guidance. When expert opinions diverged and they got stuck in analysis paralysis they had to trust their judgment and chose what they felt was right for them. After all, they’ll be living in the house for years after the experts are gone. Reviews for MIDORI HAUS: "Chie Kawahara is a storyteller. Her book, Midori Haus, tells a compelling story in a conversational style about a couple who wanted to remodel an older home that would use as little energy as possible—and was comfortable and healthy to live in. Anyone who has an interest in green building—doing right for oneself and the planet—will find a friend in this book." -Jim Gunshinan, Editor, Home Energy Magazine “Midori Haus serves as a journey of adapting, learning, greening, nurturing, and caring for an old house by renewing the house to address current and future environmental challenges. The narrative is delightfully educational – the design process of achieving the passive house standard will be better understood through these stories and conversations.” -Alison G. Kwok, Ph.D., AIA, CPHC, University of Oregon "The international Passive House standard has gained a deserved reputation as the fastest growing building energy efficiency standard in the world. Unsurprisingly, publications about it have mostly been by and for industry professionals. Midori Haus represents an alternative, introducing readers to Passive House through the eyes of a homeowner undertaking a remodeling project. Chie Kawahara takes readers along on her journey of discovery and remodeling triumph. She makes the process understandable and accessible and readers are given practical tools they can use on their own Passive House projects. There's nothing like a good case study told by the people involved to bring abstract concepts to life. Midori Haus doesn't disappoint." -Elrond Burrell, Architect, CPHD, blogger "In this delightful book, Chie Kawahara describes the process she and her husband went through to purchase a 1920s bungalow and turn it into a state-of- the-art, healthy, green, Passive House. This account of their experiences is highly instructional for anyone considering buying and renovating a house, and it’s a wonderful read!" -Alex Wilson, Founder, BuildingGreen, Inc.

Energy Saving Coating Materials: Design, Process, Implementation and Developments provides comprehensive information regarding recent materials advancements and design aspects and integration for infra-red radiation regulators, along with future developments of zero emission buildings. The key opportunities and challenges for the usage of existing heat regulation materials and their implementation for commercial aspects are explored. The fundamental interaction between electromagnetic waves and materials are discussed, along with materials synthesis, design and integration of coatings for smart window applications. This book presents recent developments of innovative technologies comprising energy saving materials and coatings which are key considerations for achieving vital energy saving milestones.