From the most basic solutions to advanced, energy-saving projects, no book covers home insulation and weatherization like this one. Homeowners will learn how best to keep their homes warm in winter, cool in summer and weather-tight all year long.
When I was in the fifth grade, I did a science fair project on solar power, which was fun and exciting: among other things, I put together a solar cell to charge a battery-powered matchbox car. After that, I didn't think very much about energy--until I got a job at Conservation Services Group (CSG) in 1990.
After studying electrical engineering in college, and working for a few years doing circuit design and writing software, I found myself wanting to use my engineering skills to be more actively helpful in the world. That's when I found CSG and started doing energy audits, and learning about the science of energy in buildings. Having a background in engineering and physics was essential for me to get up to speed quickly and really understand what I was doing.
Since then, I have built a solar-powered home, written two books on energy efficiency, and conducted hundreds of trainings on residential energy efficient design and renovation, energy ratings, energy codes, HVAC systems, and green building. I'm actively involved in RESNET (the Residential Energy Services Network, www.resnet.us), as a board member and chair of the technical committee. And in my main job at CSG, I help the people who run energy efficiency programs all over the country make smart decisions about how to help homeowners. This ranges from analyzing savings, answering questions about "how to", doing research on developing technology, and applying a science-based approach to make sure that we achieve real savings in thousands of homes every year.
