Energy-Efficient Building (Best of Fine Homebuilding) [Paperback]

Taunton Press (Author), Fine Homebuilding (Author), Editors of Fine Homebuilding (Author)

Book Description

Series: Best of Fine Homebuilding | Publication Date: October 15, 1999

Although energy costs are near an all-time low, modern energy efficiency offers more than just savings: It offers comfort. With the help of this book, homeowners and builders can build lasting comfort into their homes -- and save money.

This new addition to the best-selling Best of Fine Homebuilding series brings together 29 of the best articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine that cover topics from choosing ductwork and housewrap to building more efficient fireplaces and storm windows. The articles detail specific projects home-owners or builders can do to improve the energy efficiency of a traditional home. Over 200 photos and 50 color illustrations make concepts and product comparisons easy to understand, even for non-professionals. All of the articles are intended to solve common home energy problem: such as those associated with doors, skylights, water heaters, and heating systems.

Energy-Efficient Building is an essential reference for homeowners and builders alike and invaluable to anyone building a new home.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561583405
• ISBN-13: 978-1561583409
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical energy savings, June 19, 2001

By 

Daniel J Dravis (Eau Claire, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Energy-Efficient Building (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)

I found this book beneficial. I believe that people doing either new construction or remodelling will find it helpful. It covers new ideas as well some often overlooked but simple, inexpensive methods that should be used in all construction.

In particular, the first chapter is about energy efficiancy in general and performing an energy audit on your house to see where the energy is wasted or lost.

For the price of this book, even if you only used one idea from the book, you would more than pay for the book in energy savings in one heating/cooling season.

My reason for not giving 5 stars is, "There should even more ideas included in this book!"

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of cutting edge energy efficient building technique, June 22, 2008

By 

Michael P. Quinn (Lewisville, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Energy-Efficient Building (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)

This book is really a book. It is a collection of magazine articles from a well respected building magazine that cover different building techniques. One chapter per article. There is an article for every currently used, but not quite mainstream building technique to improve energy efficiency of a home.

Since the articles are written independently and were later compiled into a book, there is no comparison and contrast between techniques. Since the articles are very well written and go into depth on each technique, then comparisons between similar techniques can be extrapolated out, but some things like cost comparisons may be difficult to gather from the articles alone.

Overall a very good overview of what is out there and working in practice today.

14 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I have two issues with this book, July 19, 2007

By 

L. Harris "skytag" (Winter Haven, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Energy-Efficient Building (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)

Okay, I'll confess I don't own this book, but there are two reasons I wouldn't buy it, and each one knocks a star off my rating:

1. This book seems a little old for this particular topic. Energy efficiency is an increasingly important issue in home building, and the various materials and technologies continue to evolve. There have been some advancements in the eight years since this book was compiled, and since it's a "best of," that means the articles in it are even older. I want the latest information available as I research this topic.

2. Based on the table of contents, the book seems targeted toward saving energy in colder climates. I live in central Florida where we air condition most of the year. Our biggest concerns here are keeping the heat out, not in, and controlling the humidity (which is 91% outside as I write this) inside your home. This dictates doing some things differently here, and chapters on topics like fixing a cold, drafty house, preventing ice dams, and building an efficient fireplace just aren't applicable here. ;-)