CONTENTS Prefacexiii Material Changes Environmental Impact 3 1.1 Getting More from Less 3 1.2 Making a Sandwich3 1.3 Choosing Ingredients 4 1.4 Features and Advantages 4 1.5 Using Structural Insulated Panels 5 1.6Putting It Together 6 Resources . 6 2Health Impact 7 2.1 Covering the Walls 7 2.2 Changing the Formula 7 2.3 Clearing the Air 8 2.4 Comparing Products 9 2.5 Other Surface Treatments 9 Resources 10 3Availability 11 3.1Setting Priorities11 3.2 Seeing the Benefits 11 3.3 Common Features 12 3.4 Estimating the Costs 13 3.5 Comparing Products 13 3.6 Measuring Performance 14 Resources 15 4Maintenance 17 4.1Reducing Operating Costs 17 4.2Using Common Terms 17 4.3 Adding Up the Points 19 4.4 Comparing Features 19 Resources 20 5Durability 21 5.1Making Sound Investments 21 5.2 Controlling Light and Heat 21 5.3Other Environmental Benefits 22 5.4Exterior and Interior Uses 23 5.5Designing with Glass Block 24 6Sustainability 25 6.1Building Better Blocks 25 6.2Trash into Treasure 26 6.3Properties of Fly Ash 26 6.4Benefits of Using Fly Ash 27 6.5 Who Uses Fly Ash Concrete. 28 Resources 28 7Renewability 29 7.1Sustaining Growth 29 7.2 About Cork 29 7.3 Cork Floor Coverings. 30 7.4 About Bamboo 31 7.5 Bamboo Floor Coverings . 31 7.6 Buying Tips. 32 8Readability33 8.1Creating New Standards 33 8.2 About PEX 34 8.3 Finding and Buying PEX . 35 8.4 Using PEX35 8.5 About Polypropylene 36 9Simplicity 37 9.1 Following Tradition 37 9.2 Benefits of Using Cedar 37 9.3 Cedar as a Construction Material 38 9.4 Cedar Siding 39 9.5 Finishing Cedar40 10Efficiency 41 10.1 Reducing Waste41 10.2Choosing an Insulating Material. 41 10.3 Reducing Waste 42 10.4Protecting Health43 10.5 Hidden Hazards43 10.6 Installing Loose Fill 43 10.7 Finding Your Number. 44 Part II Technology Changes 11Electrical 1 47 11.1Keeping Tabs 47 11.2 Getting the Big Picture 48 11.3Seeing the Details 49 11.4Predicting the Future 50 12Electrical 2 51 12.1Improving Safety and Security 51 12.2Photo-Controlled Switches 51 12.3 Indoor Timers 52 12.4Outdoor Timers 53 12.5Power Failure Lights53 12.6 Motion Sensor Switches 53 12.7Home Automation Controllers and Modules . 54 Now and in the Future54 13Plumbing 1 55 13.1Slowing the Flow . 55 13.2 Having WaterSense 55 13.3 WaterSense Basics 56 13.4Certified Products 57 High-Efficiency Toilets . 57 Bathroom Sink Faucets58 Showerheads59 Resources . 59 14Plumbing 2 61 14.1Supply Meets Demand 61 14.2Saving Energy 61 14.3Energy Factor 62 14.4Saving Time 63 14.5 Saving Space 63 14.6 Choosing the Right Model64 Resources 64 15Heating 65 15.1No More Cold Feet 65 15.2 Traditional Space Conditioning 65 15.3 In-floor Heating Systems . 66 15.4New Construction67 15.5Remodeling .. 67 15.6Retrofitting 68 Resources 68 !6Ventilating 69 16.1Keeping in the Heat 69 16.2 How an HRV Works 69 16.3Differences between HRV and ERV 70 16.4 Benefits in Comfort and Health 71 16.5 Installation Options 71 16.6Reasons to Use an HRV 71 16.7 Finding the Right Model 72 16.8Before You Install an HRV 72 Resources 73 17Air Conditioning 75 17.1Keeping Your Cool 75 17.2Energy Efficiency 75 17.3Health Considerations76 17.4 How Air Flows through a House 77 17.5Calculating Air Exchange Rates 78 17.6 Features and Options 78 Resources 79 18Insulating 81 18.1Benefits beyond Warmth 81 18.2 Other Properties of Insulating Materials 81 18.3 Common Insulating Products 82 18.4Spray-Foam Insulation 83 18.5 Managing Indoor Air Quality83 18.6Saving Energy and Money 84 18.7 Back to Basics 84 Resources 85 19Cooking 87 19.1New Methods for Old Chores 87 19.2Understanding Induction Cooking87 19.3 The Biggest Differences 88 19.4 Additional Capabilities89 19.5Potential Drawbacks 89 19.6 Definite Advantages 89 Resources 90 20Washing91 20.1Getting More from Less 91 20.2 How Front Loaders Work 91 20.3Increasing Availability 92 20.4 Benefits of Horizontal Axis Washers 93 20.5Choosing a Horizontal Axis Washer. 93 20.6Choosing a Clothes Dryer94 Resources 94 Part 111Lifestyle Changes 21Personal Choices 97 21.1Changing Habits 97 21.2What Carbon Footprint Means 97 21.3Consumption Affects Emissions 98 21.4 Global Causes, Global Effects 99 21.5Past Present, and Future99 21.6 Decisions, Not Sacrifices 99 21.7 Everyone Wins 100 Resources 101 22Energy Sources 103 22.1Discovering Your Choices 103 22.2 Changes in Recent History 103 22.3Market Deregulation. 104 22.4 A Good Place to Start 105 22.5' Same Utility, Different Source 105 22.6Renewable Energy Certificates 105 22.7 Evaluating Green Power Sources 106 22.8Buying Power for Buying Power 106 Resources 106 23Financial Incentives107 23.1Investing in Futures 107 23.2Federal Tax Credits 107 23.3 Limitations and Conditions 109 23.4Energy Star and Tax Credits 109 23.5Getting Over the Threshold 110 23.6Energy Efficient Mortgages 110 23.7 Conventional EEMs 110 23.8 FHA EEMs 110 23.9 VAEEMs111 23.10 Conclusion111 Resources 111 24Cooperative Buying 113 24.1Shopping Locally113 24.2Origins of CSA 114 24.3Philosophical Roots 115 24.4Subscription and Shareholder Models 115 24.5How a CSA Works 115 24.6Growing Variety116 Resources 116 25Agricultural Independence 117 25.1Taking Charge 117 25.2 Choosing a Container 117 25.2Know What to Grow 118 25.3 Seeding and Transplanting 119 25.4Growing Conditions 119 Soil 119 Light 119 Water 120 Fertilizer 120 25.5Plant Health . 120 Resources 121 26Eliminating Waste 123 26.1Organic Alchemy 123 26.2 The Composition of Decomposition 123 26.3Ingredients for Success 124 26.4 Items to Avoid 125 26.5 How Composting Works: Five Parts 125 Nutrients 125 Particles 125 Water 126 Oxygen126 Temperature 126 26.6Benefits of Using Compost 126 26.7 Composting Methods 127 o Resources 127 27Reducing Waste 129 27.1Saving Two Ways 129 27.2 A Definition of Graywater 129 27.3 Basic Requirements 130 27.4 How Graywater Is Collected and Used130 27.5 Economic and Environmental Benefits131 27.6Using Graywater-or Not131 Resources o 132 28Washing Up 133 28.1Cleaning House 133 28.2 Health, Safety, and Comfort 133 28.3The Basic Ingredients 134 28.4 Recipes for Special Cleaning Jobs 135 In the Kitchen 135 In the Bathroom 135 Everywhere 136 Resources 136 29Second Chances137 29.1More Goods, Less Garbage137 29.2 A Packaging Paradox 137 29.3 Alternative Buying Tactics 138 While Shopping 138 At Home. 139 At Work 139 Resources 140 30Getting Outside141 30.1Reinventing Landscapes. 141 30-2Perceptions and Misconceptions 141 30.3Seven Principles of Xeriscaping 142 30.4 Saving Resources, Saving Money 143 30.5 Planning a Xeriscape 143 30.6 Preparing the Soil 144 30.7 Irrigating the Site144 Resources 145 Index 147