30 Energy-Efficient Houses...You Can Build

This book is about how to build tomorrow's house-today. How to build a house that is energy efficient, solar heated, uses every inch of space well, is designed for the people who plan to live there, is elegantly simple, and yet doesn't cost a small fortune. In it you learn how to design efficiently and not waste space. How to take advantage of solar energy by attaching a solar greenhouse or designing a solar-tempered dwelling. How to take advantage of shortcuts for foundations, floors, and roofs. How to use recycled materials. How to build your own windows, skylights, and doors. How to use the earth's insulation by building into a south-facing hillside. How to save money on kitchen and bathroom installations and innovative designs. How to use post and beam construction to build a sturdy, inexpensive frame. How to heat more efficiently with wood. How to avoid hassles with banks and building code officials.