Useful Books

Here are a some of the books on Renovations and Eco building design and techniques I have used and aquired along with links to Amazon and any thoughts. Most of the images will expand if you click them. Enjoy!

Renovations

How to Renovate a House in France: The Essential Know-how to Create Your Dream Home in France

I was given this by a friend who bought a chalet in Chamonix that needed some work. It has some useful bits but is mainly aimed at people who buy a house that needs some renovation rather than a tottering pile of rocks. Nice coffee table book though with great pictures. Quite inspiring if you are contemplating a renovation as it does give you an insight into how much renovation you are willing to take on.

Ecological Buildings and Ideas

Ecohouse 2

A great book covering solar heating, photovoltaics, materials, water usage, building design, and much more. I did not find it an easy read as it is a bit scientific as opposed to practical but then that's just a reflection on me. It includes a number of case studies which relate the concepts into practical applications. I highly recomend this book whether you are doing a new build or a renovation; whatever the scale. Not really coffe table material as it is more a text book for studying and learning if you know what I mean.

 

The Whole House Book: Ecological Building Design and Materials (Second Edition)


Written by a couple of people who worked at The Centre for Alternative Technology, this is another great resource for alternative building techniques and building design. Applicable for both new builds and renovations with examples and case studies. The balance between practical and theoretical is weighted to to the practical which suits me better. A great compliment to Ecohouse 2 as it is very different.

 

The New Autonomous House: Design and Planning for Sustainability

This book weighs up the pros and cons of different options when considering practical solutions to the environmental problems caused by the houses in which we live. Do we go with PV panels, wind or water power? Expense, return, noise, environmental footprint, aesthetics? The book is based on a new build in the UK but the dilemas are applicable to anyone who is concious of the environmental implications of building design and sustainability.
 
 
 

Sewage Solutions: Answering the Call of Nature (New Futures)

Highly recomend this book for anyone who is totally off grid. Very comprehensive with lots of options and alternative solutions to dealing with sewage. Even if you are connected it makes you think twice about using flushing toilets.  Not a big book, easy to read and understand, packed with so much wisdom and good advice. I have leant this one out so many times. Published by CAT and also available in their online book store.
 

Solar Power Your Home for Dummies

Yet another invaluable resource for anyone off grid. Not just PV pannels, batteries & bulbs but wind, heating & cooling, cooking, purifying water and much much more. I read it from front to back and was gripped. Now it is an invaluable reference book too. Amazon has the feature where you can look inside this one.

As a web resource the www.dummies.com site is also really usesul with videos and articles and 63 results on an eco search.