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Solar Power Your Home For Dummies

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3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you!

This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. You’ll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You’ll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you’ve decided on a project, you’ll see whether it’s best to hire a contractor or do it yourself. We leave no stone unturned—you’ll also discover how to:

  • Choose and install your best solar system
  • Handle small to large solar projects
  • Heat and cool your house with solar energy
  • Install exterior solar lighting
  • Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects
  • Create greenhouses or solar rooms
  • Build, buy, or sell a solar home
  • Finance your solar investments
  • Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power
  • Avoid the worst solar mistakes

Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

From the Back Cover

Features the ten best solar investments

Make your home energy efficient and put solar power to work for you!

Want to take advantage of solar power? This friendly, hands-on guide takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to do everything from adding small components to your home to building a solar-powered house from the ground up. You'll see how to heat and cool your home, create solar rooms, install solar lighting, and much more.

Discover how to:

  • Choose the best solar system for your needs

  • Handle small to large solar projects

  • Build, buy, or sell a solar home

  • Finance your solar investments

  • Avoid the worst solar mistakes

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: For Dummies (December 10, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0470175699
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470175699
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #4 in  Books > Home & Garden > Sustainable Living > Energy Efficiency
    #5 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
    #11 in  Books > Science > Technology > Renewable Energy

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More About the Author

Rik DeGunther
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› Visit Amazon's Rik DeGunther Page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
wind power, solar pumps, landscape projects, attic vent fan, intertie system, natural ventilation scheme, solar projects, tiered rate structure, batch collectors, solar equipment, solar fountain, solar room, swimming pool projects, overflow spout, domestic water heater, solar tubes, solar potential, energy costs rise, baseline usage, home energy efficient, solar home, solar oven, whole house fan, pollution mitigation, silicon sealant
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Doing It Yourself, Little Help, Home Solar Projects, Medium-Sized Projects, Understanding Solar, Just the Facts, Small Projects, Mother Nature, Directing Wind, Big Results, Making Your Home Energy Efficient, Finding the Moolah, Hydro Power, Going Solo, Bill Toomuch, Divorcing the Grid, Helping the World, Glass Houses, Solar Power Systems, Supplementing Your Domestic Water Heater, Playing the Energy Game, North America, The Part of Tens, Department of Energy, Diving Into Swimming Pool Projects
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (5)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.3 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Solar for beginner to intermediate, April 19, 2008
This is a good introduction to how the energy from the sun can be put to practical everyday use. If you don't like to read a lot of technical stuff, this book is for you. Quick, easy reading the non-technical average person. with references for more information. This book has practical projects for the person who already has some knowledge of solar energy as well. If you're looking for a really detailed technical book of how to design and install your own solar collector (electrical or water), better get a different book. My 5-star rating is for those who are beginners or those that have a little knowledge of solar energy.
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72 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Whole Picture, February 2, 2008
As an electronic engineer, I originally looked at home solar energy as a chance to buy some cool gear to play with, while saving money in the bargain. As I delved into the book, my outlook changed. I was surprised to find how complex a home's energy use situation can be, and that some money can be saved before connecting a single wire. Even as I later relished the chapters covering solar electricity generation, I still noted the frequent reminders and references to non-electrical aspects of a "solar" home, as well as practical financial and regulatory realities to consider in choosing a system. In short, I came away from my first reading with a much more balanced perspective on solar energy, and I'll continue to re-read as a reference. Of course, I'm still hankerin' after that gear, yet, at least, now I have a better picture of what's really useful. Plus, I'm off to a good start in being knowledgable enough to deal effectively with those installation contractors. Well done!
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57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This book answered ALL my questions clearly!, February 5, 2008
My husband and I have become increasingly consciencious about saving our natural resources. It has been our goal to add solar panels to our house but most of the books out there were not written for the average person. This book answered all our questions in a language we could easily understand. We learned how to make solar power an investment throughout our entire house! How cool is that?

The awesome thing about this book is it goes way beyond explaining the money we can save but includes vital tips on what not to do. I love when a book keeps me from making mistakes. I could go on and on about this book because I'm thrilled I finally have a great reference tool. I am eagerly anticipating creating a home that will actually not take so many of our precious resources from the earth.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Not so "illuminating"...
I regret having purchased this book... I should've spent a bit more money and gotten a more comprehensive guide to Solar Power. Read more
Published 8 days ago by A. Blandon

2.0 out of 5 stars Save a tree, skip this book.
This book is not helpful. Author suggests buying freestanding solar landscape lights, using a pool cover, and installing window shades. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brian L. McMichael

3.0 out of 5 stars Very basic information
The book has a lot of valuable content, but is definitely for the beginner. Most of the projects in the book recommend you purchase a "kit" and then walk you though an install. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. Woodard

1.0 out of 5 stars Didn't tell me any thing but a paln of action that will not do all of what I want
I wouldn't but this book again. their is only simple information here. No good drawing of a system with any details. The end
Published 5 months ago by Thomas J. Kelly

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough information to make it useful
I've been looking to build my own solar electric system for a while. Not knowing much about the technology other than what I found by surfing the internet, I felt it was time to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andy Hayes

5.0 out of 5 stars Great if you're going Green
This is an excellent book. I received it quickly in good packaging and sooner than expected. Very interesting book.
Published 6 months ago by Andrew T. Cottrill

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Solar
I picked up this book after reading the author's work on Green Your Home For Dummies, and it's exactly what it claims to be -- a solid introduction to the various solar power... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Good Book Guy

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the same ole dummie
I hadnt purchased a Dummie book in a couple of years and decided to try to get up to speed on solar. Read more
Published 7 months ago by CompuDummie

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read
This is an excellent overall source for solar info. It puts the information in understandable terms without "talking down" to the reader. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sunny

1.0 out of 5 stars Really for dummies!!
This book is really written for dummies! If you want to spend money on a book that clearly and enjoyably scares you away from any do-it-yourself attempt at solar power... Read more
Published 7 months ago by fred long

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