Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9th Edition: Save Money, Save the Earth (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alex Wilson (Author), Katie Ackerly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

How efficient are front-load washing machines? When is it time to replace your old refrigerator? These questions and many more are answered in The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, a one-stop resource for consumers who want to improve their home's energy performance and reduce costs. Zeroing in on the most useful response can be a challenge; this ninth edition cuts through the confusion.

Well-organized and highly readable, The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings begins with an overview of the interrelationships between energy use, economics, and the environment. Chapters focus on specific areas in the home, such as electronics, lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, kitchen, and laundry, and provide helpful explanations for each, including:

• Describing energy use characteristics
• Drawing comparisons between available technologies
• Outlining the most cost-effective repair and replacement options
• Providing step-by-step guidance for finding the right equipment
• Describing how the equipment operates
• Summarizing how much energy is used or lost

Included are tips on improving existing equipment and guidance for when and why consumers should purchase new energy-efficient equipment, as well as a reminder to check local government and utility incentives for purchase or retrofit grants.

This guide will be an invaluable resource to all consumers concerned about reducing both their energy bills and their environmental impact.

Jennifer Thorne Amann is a senior associate in the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) Buildings and Equipment Program.

Alex Wilson is president of BuildingGreen, Inc., author of Your Green Home, and executive editor of Environmental Building News.

About the Author

Jennifer Thorne Amann is a Senior Associate in the Buildings and Equipment Program at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Her current work includes promoting improved commercial building performance, valuing the energy and non-energy benefits of whole house retrofits, analyzing the impacts of stronger appliance efficiency standards, and exploring new targets for market transformation efforts.

Alex Wilson is President of BuildingGreen, Inc. and Executive Editor of Environmental Building News the premier green building industry resource. A widely acknowledged green building expert since the '70s, he has authored countless articles and several books including Green Building Products and The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers; 9 edition (October 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865716021
• ISBN-13: 978-0865716025
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Informative, Money-saving, August 3, 2008

By	Dave (Maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is filled with practical advice and energy saving suggestions, with illustrations and instructions that explain the "hows and whys" of energy savings. The book takes you through the house from attic to appliances, from windows to CFL lights, with the Real Story on each. The advice is highly practical and much better than some books that simply point out the obvious. The book is FULL of practical projects you can do this weekend to make your home more efficient. This book will pay for itself the first weekend you own it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great and informative book!, February 18, 2009

By	Jakuda - See all my reviews

This is a very detailed book which lays out for you what items drains energy needlessly and what a homeowner can do to remedy the situation. A lot of things can be done cheaply and with no effort all.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple black-and-white illustrations help to clarify key points in this solid money-saving guide., February 2, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Written by Jennifer Thorne Amann (Senior Associate in the Buildings and Equipment Program at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings is a handy resource for homeowners, state utility companies, and anyone else interested in saving money and reducing environmental impact. Now in its ninth updated edition, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings offers in-depth comparisons between available energy-saving technologies, cost-effective repair and replacement options, step-by-step instructions for finding the right equipment for one's needs, and much more. "Try to install your clothes washer as close to the water heater as reasonably possible and insulate the hot water pipes leading to it to minimize heat loss through the pipes. Also, if possible, locate the washer and dryer in a heated space. This is particularly important with dryers, which depend on heat to dry." Simple black-and-white illustrations help to clarify key points in this solid money-saving guide. Highly recommended.