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!
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Solar Power Your Home For Dummies:
The book came within three days and it was during one of the busiest times of the year. It was in good condition and is very useful. Thank you!
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. Someone could argue it's for beginners but it left me wanting more... A book about alternative energy systems should be more detail oriented.
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. Not exactly what I'm looking for in a book that suggests I might be able to solar power my home. There is not one mention of what gauge wire I should run, what sorts of ways to properly mount photovoltaic cells on my roof, or where to get some of the ancillary hardware to run a DC current. No, I'm told that I can take out a loan against my house to pay for a contractor or... more info
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. If you want simple ideas, this is great. If you are looking for more in depth information on solar or info on how to create or install a whole house -off grid - system, you should look else where.
