This definitive homeowner’s guide to solar energy has arrived at just the right time. With the cost of heating oil and electricity fluctuating wildly, consumers are clamoring for information on alternative energy. This source book covers all the relevant technologies, including solar space and water heating, as well as photovoltaic electricity. It’s practical (with cost calculators, tips on taking advantage of rebates and tax incentives, and advice on finding specialized contractors). And it’s authoritative, written by a recognized expert in the field, Everett Barber, Jr., who has 30 years’ experience installing all kinds of solar energy systems. Co-author Joseph Provey has been writing about the topic for almost as long. Together, they cover every facet of planning, installing, operating, and maintaining a residential solar energy system.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Everett M. Barber, Jr. is the founder of Sunsearch, Inc., a business he ran for over 30 years until he recently retired to speak and write about energy matters. During that time, he and his company designed and installed thousands of solar systems in the southern New England area. In addition, Everett was an adjunct professor of Environmental Technologies at Yale University, where he taught courses in thermal analysis of buildings; system design for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; plumbing systems; electrical systems; and fire-safe building design. Everett is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, International Solar Energy Society, and ASHRAE. At the latter, he served on the committee that developed the internationally accepted standard for testing of solar thermal collectors.
Joseph R. Provey wrote his first articles about solar energy, wind power, wood heat, and saving energy during the last energy crisis, in the late 1970s—and he’s still on the beat. More recently, he has written on energy-related topics for Popular Mechanics, Fine Homebuilding, Handy magazine, and in his latest book, The Little Green Book: 365 Ways to Love the Planet (Creative Homeowner). Joe has also served as chief editor to several national home improvement magazines, including The Family Handyman, Home Mechanix, and Practical Homeowner.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The pile of books on solar energy is high indeed. This book is usefully placed at the top of the pile. It is a perfect "first read" and overview of the topic of solar home conversion. It explains without technical jargon or overselling the options that a homeowner has in considering a solar installation to reduce heating costs in an existing or a new home. The authors have produced a book that makes the promise of solar energy bright and clear.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is difficult to find a book that balances ease of understanding with substance, engineering with good advice, and breadth to depth. This book does all of this. I am both an engineer and have installed solar thermal and PV and consulted in the field. This book still had things to offer me that I had had difficulty understanding in the past. It provided background to topics that I had previously taken for granted. It is also amazingly realistic, taking the view that conservation should always be the first choice before moving on to more active solutions. As the book is organized by payback period (before incentives), the home-owner is able to consider solutions that are often not even discussed before moving on to solar electric.
You can read the book solely to find information about the system you wish to install, but I would highly recommend reading this from cover to cover. You will go into your solar project informed and educated, but not overwhelmed by overly technical information or language that will sway you to make unsustainable "sustainable" choices.
You can read the book solely to find information about the system you wish to install, but I would highly recommend reading this from cover to cover. You will go into your solar project informed and educated, but not overwhelmed by overly technical information or language that will sway you to make unsustainable "sustainable" choices.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book as an industry insider interested in trying to put myself back in the shoes of the consumer. This book does an excellent job of covering concepts and considerations for anyone considering a residential solar system. I have read other solar books which have a "preachy" tone or which do too much editorializing. This book is far more concise, and the authors have also managed to avoid biased promotion of specific products and the sort of "greenwashing" which plagues the industry. Convert Your Home to Solar Energy has good, informative figures and excellent photos, but also has informed content to back them up.
I have had the chance to work briefly with Everett and I can tell you that he is one of the best in the industry. Put another way; when he talks, solar professionals listen. I can't think of a person better situated to steer the consumer public than him.
I have had the chance to work briefly with Everett and I can tell you that he is one of the best in the industry. Put another way; when he talks, solar professionals listen. I can't think of a person better situated to steer the consumer public than him.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Great Green Energy Presentation
In my opinion, the book, "Convert your Home to Solar Energy" is absolutely a home run in these terms: The text is exceptionally well illustrated, the presentation of scientific... Read more
Published 11 days ago by J. Newton
An excellent coverage of solar energy for the home
Everett Barber's book Convert Your Home to Solar Energy is a welcome addition to the literature on solar energy applications. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Marc R
convert your home to solar energy
This book is written for brother-in-laws who are chosen and given a hundred thousand dollar check by rich in-laws to oversee solar installations that must appear appealing to the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by kenneth malone
A Must Read for Any Solar Project
Everett Barber is a consummate technician and engineer with the ability to make everything understandable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jcraig
If you can only buy one book on solar energy, buy this one
Finally someone has come out with a book about solar energy that provides the information that homeowner's, architects, builders and solar contractors and integrators need to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bob Chew
Excellent balanced summary of residential solar applications
I am an engineer who has been interested in solar energy for many years. I enjoy adding to my library of solar books, but find that many of the books I get aren't sufficiently... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dave Madigan
A Homeowner's Guide to Investing in Solar Energy
This is a book for homeowners who think they might want to install solar, but feel they don't know enough to make a good decision. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Gene DeJoannis
A "Must Have" Source for Beginner or Pro Alike
Let me start off by saying, with no offense to Taunton Press who publishes some very nice material, but I really feel the book may be too narrowly focused at the residential... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. Gordes
Convert Your Home to Solar Energy
Convert Your Home To Solar Energy, by Everett Barber and Joseph Provey, is THE book to have if you want to incorporate any solar energy technology into your home. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Peter markow
Lots of info.
I have read a number of articles on converting to solar power and this book is pretty comprehensive about the process and things to consider. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Michael Sharnet
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