The Homeowner's Energy Handbook

Are you looking for creative ways to lower your energy costs, generate more of your own power, or become less reliant on the grid? Paul Scheckel offers practical advice for taking matters into your own hands. Explaining the fundamentals of solar, wind, water, and biofuel energy production, Scheckel shows you how to build and maintain a wide variety of energy-saving and energy-producing equipment, ranging from thermosiphon solar hot water collectors to bicycle-powered generators. Use less energy, save money, and help preserve the environment. 
PaulScheckel 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 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.
Introduction

Part One: Home Energy Efficiency
1 Getting Ready for Renewables
The Big and Little Energy Picture * Basic Considerations * Systems and Planning * Renewable Habits * The Value of Electricity * Energy Action in Cuba * Build a Bicycle-Powered Battery Charger

2 Do Your Own Energy Audit
Getting Started * Electricity * Hot Water * Heating and Air Conditioning * Thermal Envelope * Windows * Prioritizing Your Improvements

3 Insulating Your Home
How Heat Moves * Measuring Insulation Value * Insulation Inspection * How Much Insulation Do You Need? * Choosing and Installing Insulation * Stopping Air and Moisture * Roof Venting * When "High Performance" Doesn't Perform

4 Deep Energy Retrofits
Looking at the Big Picture * A Team with a Plan * The Basement * Above-Grade Walls * Windows * The Roof * Air Leakage * Ventilation * Heating and Air Conditioning * Hot Water

5 Home Energy Monitoring
Electric Energy Monitoring * Gas Monitoring * Environmental Monitoring * My Hot Water Heating Story

Part Two: Renewable Energy
6 Solar Hot Water
Types of Systems * Solar Hot Water Collectors * Hot Water Storage * Additional System Components * Sizing the System * Maintenance * Homemade Hot Water * Build a Solar Hot Water Batch Heater

7 Solar Electric Generation
Solar Power Potential * Planning for a PV System * PV System Wiring * Orientation * Racks and Tracking * Economics * Safety * Living with Solar (and Wind) Power

8 Wind Electric Generation
Using Wind Energy at Home * Estimating Energy in the Wind * Estimating Wind Speed * Efficiency and Power * Wind Machines and Controls * Towers * Foundations and Anchoring * Maintenance * Safety * Wiring and Grounding * Wind Wisdom from an Expert

9 Hydro Electric Generation
Home Hydro * Calculating Hydro Energy * Measuring Flow and Estimating Power * Intake Site Selection * Penstock Pipe Selection * Turbines * Power Generators * System Efficiency

10 Renewable Electricity Management
Grid-Tie vs. Off-Grid * Definition of Terms * Electrical Wiring * Balance of System Components * Batteries * Mapping Motivations ... and Watts

11 Biodiesel
Venturing into Biodiesel * What Is Biodiesel? Benefits and Drawbacks * Essential Ingredients * Equipment Needs * Safety * Basic Steps for Making Biodiesel * Mixing Biodiesel with Other Fuels * Washing Biodiesel * Veggie Oil Conversion * Create a Biodiesel Kit

12 Wood Gas
Wood Doesn't Burn * How Wood Gas Generators Work * Four Stages of Gasification * Gasifier Operation * Cleaning and Filtering Wood Gas * Using Wood Gas * Storing Gas * Types of Gasifiers * Working Safely around Wood Gas * Two Men and a Truck * Build a Simple Wood Gas Cook Stove

13 Biogas
The Basics * Recipe for Making Gas * Solids, Liquids, and Volatile Solids * Temperatur