Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
Cover
Praise
Title Page
Rights Page
Contents
Chapter 1: How Will We Heat Our Homes?
The Purpose of this Book
Organization of the Book
Chapter 2: A Primer on Energy and Energy Efficiency
Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Short-Term and Long-Term Benefits of Efficiency and Conservation
Efficiency isn’t Sexy, but it Really Works
Energy Efficiency and Conservation are Renewable Resources
Understanding Energy
What is Energy?
Putting Energy to Good Use
Units of Measurement
Conclusion
Chapter 3: The Prerequisite to Renewable Energy: Seal up the Leaks!
How Leaky are Our Buildings?
The Economic Savings of Airsealing
Locating Leaks
Hiring a Professional
Locating Leaks Yourself
Sealing Leaks
New Construction
Parting Advice
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!
Should You Insulate?
How Much Insulation?
Assessing Existing Levels of Insulation
Where to Insulate and What to Use
Ceiling Insulation
Wall Insulation
Floor Insulation
Foundation Insulation
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Understanding Solar Energy
Understanding Solar Radiation
Irradiance
Energy Density
Irradiation
The Sun and the Earth:Understanding the Relationships
Day Length and Altitude Angle:The Earth’s Tilt and Orbit Around the Sun
Implications of Sun-Earth Relationship for Solar Heating Systems
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Passive Solar Heating: Low-Tech, High Performance
Principles of Passive Solar Heating
Orient to True South
Concentrate Windows on the South
Create an Airtight, Energy-Efficient Building
Incorporate Thermal Mass
Provide Adequate Overhang
Passive Solar Design Options
Direct Gain
Isolated Gain — Attached Sunspaces
Indirect Gain — Trombe Walls
Next Steps
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Retrofitting Your Home for Passive Solar
Option 1: Installing South-Facing Windows
Step 1: Seal up the Leaks
Step 2: Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!
Step 3: Installing Energy-Efficient Windows
What Type of Window?
Adding Thermal Mass
Option 2: Building a Solar Addition
Option 3: Attached Sunspaces
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Solar Hot Air
How Do they Work?
Types of Solar Hot Air Collectors
Open-Loop Solar Hot Air Collectors
Closed-Loop Solar Hot Air Collectors
Installing a Solar Hot Air System
Mounting Options
Pointers for Mounting a Collector
How Well do They Work?
Does Solar Hot Air Make Cents?
Shopper’s Guide
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Solar Hot Water Heating
Types of Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems
Direct and Indirect Systems
Solar Batch Systems
Drawbacks of a Solar Batch Water Heater
Thermosiphon Systems
Pump Circulation Systems
Gravity Drainback Systems
Pros and Cons of Gravity Drainback Systems
Closed-Loop Antifreeze Systems
Pros and Cons of Glycol-Based Systems
Solar Collectors
Flat-Plate Collectors
Evacuated-Tube Collectors
Solar Hot Water Space-Heating Systems
Drainback Solar Hot Water Heating Systems
Glycol-Based Systems
A Word on Storage Tanks
Choosing the System to Meet Your Needs
Conclusion: Sizing and Pricing aSolar Hot Water Heating System
Chapter 10: Energy-Efficient Backup Heat
Home Heating Basics
Conventional (Low-Efficiency) Furnaces
High-Efficiency Furnaces
High-Efficiency Oil Furnaces
Conventional Boilers andHydronic Heating Systems
Energy-Efficient Boilers
Shopping for a New Furnace or Boiler
What about a Heat Pump for Backup?
Conclusion
Resource Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapters 2, 3, and 4:Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Conservation
Chapter 5: Understanding Solar Energy
Chapters 6 and 7: Passive Solar Heating
Chapter 8: Solar Hot Air
Chapter 9: Solar Hot Water Heating
Chapter 10: Energy-Efficient Backup Heat
Index
About the Author
Books to Build a New Society
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →