The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Amazing book - quite possibly the BEST on solar building
  • The Solar House: Passive Heating & Cooling
  • review for the solar house
  • very helpful book
  • I found The Natural House more useful
The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling
Daniel D. Chiras
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1931498121

Book Description

Passive solar heating and passive cooling--approaches known as natural conditioning--provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book The Natural House, brings those principles up to date for a new generation of solar enthusiasts. The techniques required to heat and cool a building passively have been used for thousands of years. Early societies such as the Native American Anasazis and the ancient Greeks perfected designs that effectively exploited these natural processes. The Greeks considered anyone who didn't use passive solar to heat a home to be a barbarian! In the United States, passive solar architecture experienced a major resurgence of interest in the 1970s in response to crippling oil embargoes. With grand enthusiasm but with scant knowledge (and sometimes little common sense), architects and builders created a wide variety of solar homes. Some worked pretty well, but looked more like laboratories than houses. Others performed poorly, overheating in the summer because of excessive or misplaced windows and skylights, and growing chilly in the colder months because of insufficient thermal mass and insulation and poor siting. In The Solar House, Dan Chiras sets the record straight on the vast potential for passive heating and cooling. Acknowledging the good intentions of misguided solar designers in the past, he highlights certain egregious--and entirely avoidable--errors. More importantly, Chiras explains in methodical detail how today's home builders can succeed with solar designs. Now that energy efficiency measures including higher levels of insulation and multi-layered glazing have become standard, it is easier than ever before to create a comfortable and affordable passive solar house that will provide year-round comfort in any climate. Moreover, since modern building materials and airtight construction methods sometimes result in air-quality and even toxicity problems, Chiras explains state-of-the-art ventilation and filtering techniques that complement the ancient solar strategies of thermal mass and daylighting. Chiras also explains the new diagnostic aids available in printed worksheet or software formats, allowing readers to generate their own design schemes.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Amazing book - quite possibly the BEST on solar building.......2007-07-13

My copy of this book is a mess. It has highlighting and notes all throughout the pages and looks well worn even though I've only had the book for a year.

When the time came to do some studying on solar design, this was the book that was recommended to me. And for good reason - it packs a wallop and provides SO MUCH great information in its pages. At the time I got the book I was somewhat of a novice to solar building and was concerned that the book would have too much jargon or concepts that I didn't understand, but Chiras does such a great job explaining everything in layman's terms that by the time I finished the book I felt like an expert myself.

I HIGHLY recommend this to ANYone looking to building solar/green. I consider it the best of the bunch.

5 out of 5 stars The Solar House: Passive Heating & Cooling.......2007-05-23

This book is excellent and received in great condition. Thank you. - jac

5 out of 5 stars review for the solar house.......2007-05-12

This book has excellent ideas and descriptions for those wanting to build a green house. We got specific information and a clear view of what it takes to build a passive solar house.

5 out of 5 stars very helpful book.......2007-03-19

The Solar House presents a detailed overview of passive solar design with specific region-based recommendations. I found that the technical information was well-researched and presented in an accessible way. There is a very helpful section on backup heating systems, which provides a basis for comparing the many options such as conventional gas and oil fired fixtures, radiant floor, masonry stoves, etc. This book should help people to design homes that are very energy efficient and comfortable to live in- the best of both worlds.

3 out of 5 stars I found The Natural House more useful.......2007-01-30

While a good book, I found The Natural House more useful for my specific needs. To be honest, we decided not to go with solar power due to the cost (and lack of help with the price where we live, in TN) and due to the topography of our lot. The Natural House provided a great resource for other avenues of eco-friendly options for our new house, including various options for heating and cooling. If you are not sure how you want to heat your house yet and you are looking for more general information, I would recommend getting that book instead.
Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water And Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • solar hot water
  • Great support
  • Homeowner's Guide to Solar Water Heating
  • Comprehensive
  • Excellent
Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water And Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Bob Ramlow , and Benjamin Nusz
Manufacturer: New Society Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. Your Green Home: A Guide to Planning a Healthy, Environmentally Friendly New Home (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) Your Green Home: A Guide to Planning a Healthy, Environmentally Friendly New Home (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)

ASIN: 0865715610

Book Description

Heating water with the sun is almost as old as humankind itself, and it is done all over the world. Yet there are strangely few resources on the topic in North America.

Solar Water Heating fills this gap. It reviews the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, then presents the basics of solar water heating, including an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation and energy economics. Drawing on the author's experience as an installer of these systems, the book goes on to cover:

Since people often get turned off by the up-front cost, the book focuses especially on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems can save significant costs in the long run. Well-illustrated, the book is designed for a wide readership from the curious to the student or professional.

Bob Ramlow is the solar thermal consultant for the Wisconsin Focus on Energy Program. The owner of a renewable energy company, he has over 30 years experience with solar energy systems and is a founder and director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Benjamin Nusz currently works as a solar water heating consultant and site assessor in Wisconsin.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars solar hot water.......2007-05-19

This is a great collection of information on the subject of solar water heating. I love how the author doesn't pull any punches. There are definite reasons why we don't use more solar hot water in this country. Regan led by example in the 80's when he pulled the solar collectors off the white house roof. While the author spends a bit on the history of solar heating this is definitely a manual on how to design and install a system. The author obviously has had a lot of experience with these systems and he knows what works. read this book and get a high quality solar hot water system up and running in your home. Our planet depends on it.
In fact he dedicated the book for our earth.

4 out of 5 stars Great support.......2007-05-16

I read the book fully with one breath. Basically it contains almost everything what need to know about solar systems and their application. But I gave 4 stars. The reason is simple: I am not sharing the view as vacuum tubes or heatpipes are having a same efficiency as normal flat collectors having. In our climate only heatpipes are able to supply enough heat for heating and support for heating. All others are excellent!

5 out of 5 stars Homeowner's Guide to Solar Water Heating.......2007-04-04

Find out why your next home should be heated by a solar water system. This book will explain the ins and outs of various kinds of systems.

5 out of 5 stars Comprehensive.......2007-03-29

Not being a plumber I can't say this book will be as much value to someone with those skills. He covers the systems so thoroughly that I would imagine if you had the plumbing ability this book would be all you need to get started.

I was a little frustrated having read the first chapter only to find out that several systems described in detail the author would never recommend using. I was thinking to myself why did I waste time reading about those. But that's where the comprehensive part comes in. And by knowing why the author doesn't recommend those systems you get to participate in the joy of knowing everything there is to know about solar water heating.

I especially enjoyed the cost analysis of the hot water systems vs. gas and electric, as well as the discussion of using solar heated water to provide whole house heating.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent.......2007-03-04

Despite Federal tax credits (up to $2,000 at this writing) for solar water heating there's a lack of information on the subject.
For a handyman with good plumbing skills, or a homeowner wanting to learn about solar water heating, this is the best book available.
After a history of solar water heating in the US, the book describes various systems that use the sun to heat and store water. Climate, freeze conditions, water quality and amount of sunlight available are some of the factors considered in choosing a system, and the book describes them all. Individual components are detailed in a logical, straightforward way. It's obvious the authors have extensive practical knowledge. The writing style is informal and easy to read.
Besides all the solar water heating information, this book also has a good section on radiant floor heating, detailing the use of PEX tubing to heat a concrete slab.
The book uses a lot of drawings to demonstrate how things work. More actual photographs of systems and components would have been helpful. I also wish the authors would have included brand names and sources for equipment. The industry still suffers from the stigma of poorly designed systems of the 1970's and 80's. Some reassurances from the authors regarding which component manufacturers are good would have been nice.
For the past two years, I've lived with a solar water heating system I bought as a package and installed myself. I've been happy with all the "free" hot water it's provided. If this book had been available when planning my system I would have had a much better idea of what I was doing. Having all the components matched and sized with specific instructions gave me a lot of confidence during installation. In my opinion, for the neophyte, a component package is a good way to go.
For anyone planning a residential sized solar water heating system, this is the best book available. It's an excellent guide, whether you decide to choose the individual components yourself, buy a package, or hire a contractor to install a turnkey system.
If you're a contractor or someone wanting to get into the solar water heating business, "Solar Hot Water Systems - Lessons Learned 1977 to Today" (Tom Lane) is very good, but the amount of technical detail implies you already have a good working knowledge of plumbing and roofing. [...]

Good luck getting into hot water!
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Dont waste your money its an antique
  • Basic but Dated
  • History
  • Excellent Book on Solar Energy
  • Still Good
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
Steven J. Strong
Manufacturer: Sustainability Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home
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ASIN: 0963738321

Book Description

Solar electricity is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity by solar photovoltaic cells. It is a truly elegant means of producing electricity on site, allowing you to take control of your energy destiny and create your own lifestyle without concern for energy supply or environmental harm. No pollution, no by-products, no depletion of resources, these solid-state devices simply make electricity out of sunlight. Solar electricity is the ideal source of power for an environmentally-responsive home where it's a luxury residence or a rustic vacation retreat. With the right design, the sunlight that falls on your homesite will power your home. Your solar electric system can also be easily configured to provide on-site recharging of solar/electric vehicles allowing you to meet your transportation needs with renewable energy. The Solar Electric House will tell you everything you need to know to decide if photovoltaics are for you, including: * Systems options and economics; * Stand-alone and utility interactive systems; * Descriptions of all key components; * How to determine your electricity requirements; * How to design a solar electric house

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Dont waste your money its an antique.......2007-08-07

Ive had this book 4 years it was out of date then. I recently bought The Renewable Energy Handbook by kemp which is far more up todate. 8 years in Solar Electrics is a lifetime, the equipment shown and discussed is fit for a museum,sure its solar electricy for the indepedant home, as a model t ford is for cruising the motorway,save your money!

3 out of 5 stars Basic but Dated.......2006-11-10

The book has all the basic knowledge about how the physics of solar energy works but the examples of solar arrays is out of date. There are many new products on the market which are not covered in this book.

1 out of 5 stars History.......2006-03-16

This book was valid in its time but it has not been revised in so
many years it is now history not technology. I returned it.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Solar Energy.......2006-03-01

I am learning about solar energy and this book was written in a way that explained every detail clearly. I feel I could get my engineer's degree from reading this book.

5 out of 5 stars Still Good.......2005-11-27

I bought this book in 2005, almost 20 years after the first publication of the book. I went through a couple of emotional phases while reading the book. First I thought this was a great book: it has so many practical details and insights. When I got to the part on system controls and routing the power, I realized that this part is probably fairly weak because of the passage of time. Then when I looked at a few other more recent publications such as The Renewable Energy Handbook for Homeowners, by Kemp published in 2003, I realized that the present book is still a solid investment for someone interested in solar-electric. A lot of the basic information is still valid and it is more a case of prices changing and some of the technology being a bit easier to use. I like the fact that the book just concentrates on solar. There are no diversions or philosophical discussions on wind power or similar to confuse the situation. However, if you are a homeowner and want to look at all the alternatives, I suggest the newer book by Kemp, but that book is a bit thin on solar-electric so the present book is still needed. Kemp has many good ideas on insulation and conservation. In any case, the present book is down to earth practical stuff on solar: how it works and how you install. So to make a long story short I recommend the book as a buy.

The book is written by Steven J. Strong an MA from Harvard and someone who has worked as a solar energy consultant before writing the book. He describes a number of his projects and they are scattered thoughout the book.

The book has 10 chapters and it starts with how photovoltaic (PV) cells were developed and how they are manufactured. He explains how the atmosphere itself absorbs some light energy. He explains the eficiency of the PV cells, and how to position the cells to maximize power. Then he goes on to explain the manufacturing processes in detail.

Chapter 2 covers the design of the system of cells, controls, and storage of the energy. Storage itself can be a simple idea such as pumping water into a holding tank from a well during the sunny hours, but usually it is more complicated and uses a battery system or returns the power to the grid for credit, if the house can be connected to the conventional supply system. He explains a lot of these details with references to geographic location, be it in Arizona, or New england, or on a mountain in Colorado.

Chapeter 3 is a lesson on how to wire the modules and arrays together so you can get the right voltage and power combination.

Chapter 4 covers batteries and power regulation. He has many pictures and tables showing availbale products. These of course must be updated with current products but it gives a starting point for the reader.

Chapter 5 is very short and covers power inverters and attachment to the grid. An inverter converts DC voltage from the PV cells into AC for the appliances as in a conventional home. Also it is needed for connection to the grid to get power credits. Finally, he presents some options for power back up generation.

Chapter 6 explains how to conserve energy and then how to match your requirements with the size of the solar system, i.e.: how to determine how much power you need.

Chapter 7 and 8 describe how to design a system connected to the grid, or to design a system completely standing on its own. He gives examples with photographs of existing installations and this includes seasonal variations in power generation.

The last two chapter 9 and 10 are on the actual installion of the components along with maintenance tips.

The book contains many photographs, charts, lists of suppliers for parts, and it has many example calculations on how the power is produced, stored, and what it costs. A lot of this information can be updated by the reader using the web.

This book is now a bit dated and the reader will have to update the information when buying parts, but overall it is still surprisingly good. 5 stars.
The Easy Guide to Solar Electric Part II, Installation Manual
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Solar Guide
  • Seriously flawed
  • The Easy Guide To Solar Electric Part 2
  • Finally a solar book I like
  • Thinly Disguised Demagoguery
The Easy Guide to Solar Electric Part II, Installation Manual
Pieper Adi
Manufacturer: ADI Solar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home
  4. The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
  5. Practical Photovoltaics: Electricity from Solar Cells Practical Photovoltaics: Electricity from Solar Cells

ASIN: 0967189128

Book Description

The author's second book is a hands-on book on how to install a solar electrical system. It covers, every aspect of a solar installation in great detail, including: electrical theory with emphasis on DC wiring, system design, electrical code, as well as components of a solar system down to quirks, nuts, and bolts. In its humorous language the book also looks at alternative energy politics, policies, and the industry through a critical eye.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Solar Guide.......2007-01-06

This book is great. It covers the bases and gives the information one needs. It's a core book for this subject.

1 out of 5 stars Seriously flawed.......2006-09-27

Pieper has a lot of practical knowledge but some things he writes are plain wrong. On page 17 he writes: "The frequency of the sine wave is measured as Hz per second" (should be cycles per second which is Hz). On page 18 he says: "the sine wave [is] 220 volts between two peaks" (should be 311 v; 220 is the RMS voltage). On page 23 he says: "amp hours [are] also refered to as amps per hour or amp/hours" (not true). In page 27 he writes: "At some point, the resistance gets so high that it creates heat inside the conductor" (there is always resistance and heat, the problem is the temperature rises too high). He also is convinced the minerals in petroleum jelly help conductivity on the battery terminals (pp. 123&159) and says "search current" when he means "surge current" (pp. 120&125). Whole pages are such confusing technical nonsense that it is impossible to to give a short account. He self published - he should have had a technically competent person help him with theory and a good how-to book editor help with the practical stuff. I'm sure he is a very competent electrician and there is some good practical information in the book, but it is nowhere near as advertised.

1 out of 5 stars The Easy Guide To Solar Electric Part 2.......2006-05-24

I found this book at the public library in my search for a good guide to solar electric systems. I found a small amount of the information useful but, most was a waste of my time. The writer does not explain ideas in a very coherent manner. He uses a great deal of book space attempting to be funny and expressing his political views. If you are interested in a good solar electric book this is not it. I am still looking.

5 out of 5 stars Finally a solar book I like.......2005-11-27

Reading both of Adi Pieper's books on solar I was pleasantly surprised. Being an analyst in the aviation industry, I come across many very boring and conformistic writings. This book is like a fresh breeze. You cannot describe the alternative form of energy generation without critically viewing the conventional forms available. Readers who do not understand this are sad examples of the energy problem we are presently facing. Compared to several other solar books available this book is inspiring, informative, technically precise (although their are two small mistakes with his math), and has helped me install my own solar system. I also reviewed two other books (refusing to name these, which is a cheap shot under the belt) which are boring and very confusing.

1 out of 5 stars Thinly Disguised Demagoguery.......2005-09-21

By title, this book claims to be a "how to" guide. The first section, however, belies this by explaining that you should leave it to professionals. Having thus disposed of the technical aspects, the author fills the remainder of the product with self-righteous, ultra-greenie, anti-capitalist claptrap, unsupported by fact or even verifiable cites. Not even well written propaganda, and most certainly not useful to anyone wishing to learn anything useful about installing a PV system.
The New Solar Electric Home: The Photovoltaics How-To Handbook
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good basics, somewhat outdated, but probably best available
The New Solar Electric Home: The Photovoltaics How-To Handbook
Joel Davidson
Manufacturer: Aatec Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0937948098

Book Description

Now available in an updated, revised, and expanded third edition, this is "the best all-around book for getting started with alternative energy." Photovoltaics (PV) pioneer Joel Davidson and coauthor Fran Orner bring this classic how-to text into the twenty-first century.

Condensing years of hands-on and industry experience, Davidson and Orner offer the reader a complete, concise, and reality-based education in PV. In clear and understandable language, they take you through the process of going solar electric, from making the decision to sizing, selecting, installing, and maintaining your system.

The third edition of The New Solar Electric Home continues its twenty-year tradition of offering "the most comprehensive how-to PV education available."

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good basics, somewhat outdated, but probably best available.......1997-09-08

This book has been around for a long time. When it first came out, in 1987, it was the best book available. Unfortunately, it has not been updated since then, even though it has been reprinted several times. It has excellent basics for planning and designing a system, but much of the technology illustrated is outdated. With an update, this could be the best book in the field
Solar Heating Systems for Houses: A Design Handbook for Solar Combisystems
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A great book for combisystems
Solar Heating Systems for Houses: A Design Handbook for Solar Combisystems

Manufacturer: Earthscan Publications Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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  1. Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water And Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water And Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
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  5. Solar House: A Guide for the Solar Designer Solar House: A Guide for the Solar Designer

ASIN: 1902916468

Book Description

* Presents the collaborative work of international experts from research, industry and academia in the IEA solar heating and cooling programme’s Task 26, Solar Combisystems
* Details methods for analysing and optimizing combisystems for different house types
* Introduces standardized classification and evaluation processes and design tools for these systems

The use of solar collectors for domestic hot water over the past 20 years has demonstrated that solar heating systems are now founded on a reliable and mature technology. However, the development of similar, but more complex, systems to provide both domestic hot water and space heating (solar combisystems) resulted in a diverse range of different designs that were not carefully optimized to reflect local climate and practice.

Application of energy-efficient building strategies such as improved thermal insulation and use of low temperature heat supply systems is becoming increasingly common. This trend, combined with growing environmental awareness and the subsidies available in certain countries, favors an increase in market share for solar combisystems. The need for guidelines in selecting the appropriate system and designing this system according to the specific needs of the building and the local environment is therefore now increasingly pressing. This book fills that need.
Contributors include key figures working on solar combisystems worldwide (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, USA).

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A great book for combisystems.......2007-01-09

This book is a must for anyone who deals with or want to learn about solar combisystems. The book is actually a study (Task26) about 21 combisystems that generally are installed in many places is Europe including real examples based on these systems. It describes important aspects such as designing and dimensioning, behaviour and maintenance, performance in regards to different climates and types of construction. Many many references are included, book, internet links.
Highly recommended.

The Passive Solar House (Real Goods Independent Living Books)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • disappointed !
  • Deftly presenting a "reader friendly" study of the solar power conversion process
  • Great reference and... IT WORKS!
  • Buy it and Build it.
  • The Most Advanced Passive Solar Method
The Passive Solar House (Real Goods Independent Living Books)
James Kachadorian
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0930031970

Book Description

For the past ten years The Passive Solar House has offered proven techniques for building homes that heat and cool themselves, using readily available materials and methods familiar to all building contractors and many do-it-yourself homeowners. True to this innovative, straightforward approach, the new edition of this best-selling guide includes CSOL passive solar design software, making it easier than ever to heat your home with the power of the sun. Since The Passive Solar House was first published, passive solar construction expert James Kachadorian has perfected user-friendly, PC-compatible software to supplement the design process explained in the book by allowing homeowners/designers to enter the specifications of their design and see how changing a variable will affect its energy efficiency. This is the building book for a world of climbing energy costs. Applicable to diverse regions, climates, budgets, and styles of architecture, Kachadorian's techniques translate the essentials of timeless solar design into practical wisdom for today's solar builders. Profiles of successful passive solar design, construction, and retrofit projects from readers of the first edition provide inspiration to first-time homebuilders and renovators alike.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars disappointed !.......2006-11-06

a very disappointed old book ! a book from the seventies! very few pictures, many boards for american countries. Solar means, for me, interest for nature and for health. technical solutions suggested are not for health ! technik will kill us. let's us go to more simplicity !

5 out of 5 stars Deftly presenting a "reader friendly" study of the solar power conversion process.......2006-06-05

The Passive Solar House: Using Solar Design To Heat And Cool Your Home by civil engineering and solar home expert James Kachadorian is an informed and informative guide to the complexities involved in converting a building to the effective, environmentally friendly, financially beneficial technology of solar power. Deftly presenting a "reader friendly" study of the solar power conversion process, The Passive Solar House covers such relevant issues as equipment and insulation requirements for a designing and adapting solar powered house; "sun spaces"; heating and cooling requirement; insulation, venting, and fresh air; basic layouts and floor plans; interior design for year around comfort, and more. A welcome addition to personal, community library, and academic library Architectural Studies reference collections, The Passive Solar House is very strongly recommended for non-specialist general readers searching for a comprehensive introduction to creating a solar powered home in any urban or rural climate zone or region of the country.

5 out of 5 stars Great reference and... IT WORKS!.......2006-03-22

My father found this book and used it, in the Southwest, to design his passive solar heating/cooling system. I am in the process of doing the same. In the winter he needs only a few cords of pine to heat a large 2 story house and in the summer, while I swelter in an appartment w/only North facing glass (!!!), his house is very cool and comfortable. The few negative reviews above appear to be from folks who either didn't pay attention as they read or have pie-in-the-sky "theories" of what passive solar really can do for you. Kachadorian is an engineer and very pragmatic. He is not a "green" builder so keep that in mind. His system works very well in real conditions and does so in a cost effective manner if you do the calculations which are all at about the 7th grade level. Id recommend building them in a spreadsheet- easy to do and lets you "tweak" your design as you go along. Honestly, even if you don't use his system, his calculations are very worth while to design in adequate thermal mass and back-up heating into any house.

Good luck!

5 out of 5 stars Buy it and Build it........2006-02-22

This is a well-written book about passive solar design. The author easily convinces you that he knows what he is talking about. Facts, formulas, calculation charts and instructions: he gives you all you need to plan and build your own passive solar home ... and get about half of your heating and cooling costs for free from the sun. Live with nature, design with nature, whatever. Buy the book and read it. It is long over due (about 35 years!). I gave away my copy and bought another one for friends, then I ordered the latest book authored by James Kachadorian.

5 out of 5 stars The Most Advanced Passive Solar Method.......2005-12-09

James Kachadorian invented the most advanced method for doing passive solar. This book describes the method in ways almost anyone could understand. I live in New Mexico where passive solar houses are popular but generally primitive in their design. I was not planning on building a home but after reading his book I knew I had to in order to have the best possible passive solar home. His technique is applicable to a wide variety of home styles. It is the one hest able to create a comfortable, healthy and efficient passive solar house. I am certain he will become a real hero of the renewable energy movement. Anyone who considers having a passive solar home, and that ought to be most of us, owes it to themselves to read this book. You won't find many passive solar mentors as expert and as talented at coveying their ideas as James Kachadorian.
In Detail: Solar Architecture
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • best volume in the best detail architecture books available
  • great source
  • Sometimes opaque, but great projects
  • a very informative architectural detail review on residential
  • Excelent...
In Detail: Solar Architecture

Manufacturer: Birkhäuser Basel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3764307471

Book Description

In the very near future energy-efficient building will be the rule rather than the exception. Insulating glazing, multi-functional facades and organic solar cells are examples of important new developments in the field of solar thermal technology, photo-voltaics, heating and ventilation technology which are suitable for a wide range of uses from large-scale urban-planning projects to individual single family houses, and can make significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources in sustainable building. Carefully selected articles provide information on planning methods and techniques which will enable the user to assess and apply appropriate measures. The essays are complemented by a selection of built examples which demonstrate innovative solutions and the importance of an integrated planning process in realized projects, complete with full plans and large scale details.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars best volume in the best detail architecture books available.......2007-08-25

This book is part of a deliriously excellent series of Birkhauser's In
Detail collection, a series of books emphasizing and celebrating the importance of architectural details and the susbsequent spatial magic that emerges from the vigilant attention to design craft. I must say its excellence SHAMES the building culture of The united States of Kitsch. The level of American work in the field of architecture, by comparison, is stunted, nostalgic to the point of senility, and plastic garbage overseen by power broker idiot clients. Sadly, it's painfully, pathetically true, and these books prove it as a matter of course. Why are we (American) practitioners, builders, teachers, students, clients, laypeople, basically everyone really SO ill informed about design????
Don't we care?? Is there so much discord and disagreement?? It's puzzling.
Get these books and feast on the International wisdom; let's get half a clue.

5 out of 5 stars great source.......2007-08-21

The book was exactly as I expected, high quality, detailed explanations in the Caliber of detail magazine. I will defiantly be purchasing the other books in this series.

4 out of 5 stars Sometimes opaque, but great projects.......2007-01-05

I found the essays on simple construction to be variable in quality...The chapters on wood and steel either suffered in translation or were student composition exercises to begin with. The projects illustrated, however, are of uniformly high quality, and are documented with Detail's typical precision. For an American architect, many of the projects using wood construction will be eye openers. The stone and clay construction projects are wonderful for daydreaming about a different building culture in this country. Well worth it for the photos and drawings.

5 out of 5 stars a very informative architectural detail review on residential.......2006-07-10

The book describes simple and neat residential building design in detail , shape, and material. The book should be applicable to architects or designers who aspire to work in modernism or minimalism on housing and who desire to improve the residential detil design to be more insighfully clean and blight. As well, the analysis from the publication could be developed to function in other architecture types.

4 out of 5 stars Excelent..........2006-03-08

Meets my expectations...
interesting book, nice pictures, good information, good examples, some detailed drawings, hard cover quality.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for your Home, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • read it
  • NOT RECEIVED
  • Ok...but most of the information can be found for free....
  • Solar
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for your Home, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
Dan Ramsey , and David Hughes
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1592576435

Book Description

The perfect source for solar power—fully illustrated.

Solar Power (photovoltaics) is now a one-billion-dollar industry, and it's poised to grow rapidly in the near future as more pressure is placed on limited fossil fuel resources and as advances in solar technology drive down the costs of residential solar systems. This book helps readers understand the basics of solar power and other renewable energy sources, explore whether solar power makes sense for them, what their options are, and what's involved with installing various on and off-grid systems.
—Fully illustrated
—Covers every conceivable solar-power topic and concern, including updated information on the increasing number of state rebate and incentive programs

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars read it.......2007-08-24

I did not get all the info that i wanted but it did teach me several things that i needed to know. Mostly an interesting read.

1 out of 5 stars NOT RECEIVED.......2007-08-21

I have still not received the books I ordered. Not sure why but what can I do now? I need those books!!! Please advise.
LCDR, Carl Patterson, US Navy
B-478 Civil Affairs, IRAQ
USMI-SC/REO Al-Hillah
APO AE 09316

2 out of 5 stars Ok...but most of the information can be found for free...........2007-07-15

Very generic and almost all of the information is in this book can be found for free doing web searches. For example, the chapter on installations is nine pages long and has no specifics. It merely repeats to consult a qualified electrician and I already knew that!

The plus side is that it is well organized and concise.

5 out of 5 stars Solar .......2007-05-19

This is a great book on solar, lots of great references. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in solar. Its a bit lean on actually installing a solar power system on your home. But It is very adequate for anyone interested in having someone install solar on their home.
Hawkweed Passive Solar House Book
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Hawkweed Passive Solar House Book
    Hawkweed Group
    Manufacturer: Rand Mcnally
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 0528880349

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