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Discover why geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient technology for heating and cooling, and how all homes (new or retrofit, in hot or cold climates) can use this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth.

Contents include:

• Geothermal system options, including open-loop, closed-loop and DX configurations, using horizontal and vertical earth loops
• The importance of finding a qualified contractor
• Costs, tax credits and payback issues, plus calculating increased home values
• Who is using geothermal energy, including the author’s firsthand experiences, home profiles from around the country as well as an overview of commercial/institutional projects
• How solar electricity can be used to power the system, plus other future trends
• Unraveling the science and technology of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs)
• Understanding GHP performance standards, ratings and warranties
• Comprehensive appendix with helpful resources (such as manufacturers and associations) and a career section for those interested in entering the field.

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Waterpower is the largest source of renewable energy in the world today, and microhydro is a mature, proven technology that can provide clean, inexpensive, renewable energy with little or no impact on the environment.

Serious Microhydro brings you dozens of firsthand stories of energy independence covering a complete range of systems, from household pressure sites to higher pressure installations capable of powering a farm, business or small neighborhood. Topics include:

• Low, medium, and high head sites
• AC-only systems as well as ones using a battery/inverter subsystem
• Stand-alone power supply or grid intertie setups
• Hybrid systems (combined with photovoltaics or wind)

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You'll save money on home energy bills for years to come with this convenient collection of recent articles from The Original Guide to Living Wisely. The Guide to Energy Savings E-book is filled with information on solar heating options, plus natural cooling methods for your house. If you want to heat your home for free, you can find instructions for building a DIY solar heating system. And if you're planning to remodel or build a new home, this special edition includes our best articles to help you make your home super-energy efficient by tapping the free energy of the sun.

Considering new, energy-efficient appliances or windows? Maybe even heating with a woodstove? Learn what you need to know to spend your money wisely. Compiled in this guide is a set of the most informative, most up-to-date articles available from Mother Earth News to educate you on all relevant aspects of home energy savings, from building a simple solar heater to brewing your own biofuels and more. In addition, The Guide to Energy Savings E-book includes a 3-page directory of even more resources related to home solar energy systems and energy efficiency.

Packed inside the pages of The Guide to Energy Savings E-book are hundreds of great ideas for any home, including articles on:

• Easy energy improvements
• Emergency power options
• Small-scale wind power
• Solar space heating
• Best bets for solar hot water
• Expert advice on wood heat
• And much more!

Save big on energy costs for an entire lifetime with the tips and solutions in The Guide to Energy Savings E-book.

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Mother Earth News Guide To Living on Less, 2nd Edition E-book

Are you looking for simple ideas to save money? The Mother Earth News Guide to Living on Less, 2nd Edition E-book has dozens of ideas to help you save money on food, housing and energy, while also living a greener life.

The articles featured are fun and will help you save a few dollars. Some tips and advice included in these articles include:

• Cutting food bills in half by growing and cooking your own food at home.
• Solar plans fit for any home.
• Knowledgeable advice about farm animals, ranging from chickens to pigs to cattle.

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Learn to build your own electric motorcycle with this instructional Two-Disc Set!

BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE contains everything an entry-level builder needs to create their own clean, fun transportation. The Video DVD contains two and a half hours of instruction on motors, motor controllers, batteries, chargers, and design tips and tricks.

The DVD-ROM disc contains computer files of the project, including over 600 digital still photos of the entire conversion process, recommended reading list, useful web links, information on controllers, including the Open ReVolt, and motor diagram.

This makes a fantastic summer project! (Or a winter project! Build it in your basement! There’s not gas or oil involved!) And gives a person a way to have a fantastic transportation option!

If you want an electric vehicle, but are concerned about how they might run in the winter, or how it would handle air conditioning, or that you don’t have enough space in the garage for another car….. Then an electric motorcycle is for you!

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If you can only read and reference one green thing, make it this book: an easily comprehensible, clearly presented source for green living. Everything you need to know is right here at your fingertips. Unlike a lot of other overwhelming green guides on the market, this is green decision making in bite-sized pieces. With choose it/lose it comparisons throughout, now it's simple to figure out it’s worth switching to a green detergent, what kind of plastic your sports bottle is made of, or which fish is safest to eat. Rather than spending time trying to figure out how best to go green, use this book and devote that time to making the difference.

About the Author: Mindy Pennybacker was editor-in-chief of THE GREEN GUIDE for over a decade, as well as co-founder of the affiliated website. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Sierra and The Nation, among others. This book grew out of her long-standing commitment to answering readers' questions about green living.

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Increasing the energy efficiency of your home can save you money, help the environment and enhance your comfort, but how do you decide which improvements are the most beneficial and cost-effective? Completely revised to incorporate the latest developments in green technology, The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings is the definitive resource for consumers who want to better their home's performance while reducing their energy bills.

Well-organized and highly readable, The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings begins with an overview of the relationships between energy use, economics and the environment. Updated and expanded chapters focus on specific aspects of any home, such as heating and cooling, ventilation, electronics, lighting, cooking and laundry, and provide helpful explanations for each, including:

• Energy use characteristics
• Comparisons between available technologies
• Cost-effective repair and replacement options
• Step-by-step guidance for finding the right equipment

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Are you looking for creative ways to lower your energy costs, generate more of your own power, or become less reliant on the grid? Energy expert Paul Scheckel offers practical advice for taking matters into your own hands. Understand the fundamentals of solar, wind, water and biofuel energy production as you make your home ready for renewables. Each chapter of The Homeowner's Energy Handbook provides a comprehensive discussion of renewable energy sources, along with "green guides" for building your own energy-saving (and energy-producing) equipment. Step-by-step instructions show you how to build a bicycle-powered generator, biodiesel processor, thermosiphon solar hot-water collector, biogas generator, smokeless wood-gas camp stove, and more. Whether you want to button up your house to be more energy-efficient, find deep energy savings or take your home entirely off the grid, this guide has the knowledge and skills you need to reduce your use, then produce!