Includes bibliographical references (pages 291-320) and index.

Renewable Energy and Me 3 -- Why Switch to Renewables? 5 -- Another Reason for Switching 6 -- Averting Global Warming 10 -- Is There Hope? 10 -- Keeping Your Eye on the Prize 13 -- Chapter 1 Renewable Energy - Clean, Affordable and Reliable 17 -- Making Wise Choices 18 -- Understanding Energy 21 -- What is Renewable Energy? 27 -- Pros and Cons 28 -- Prospects for the Future 32 -- Chapter 2 Conservation Rules - The Cornerstone of Your Energy Future 35 -- What is Energy Conservation? 38 -- Benefits of Energy Conservation 42 -- Home Energy Use 43 -- Retrofitting Your Home for Energy Efficiency 45 -- Silver Lining 68 -- Chapter 3 Solar Hot Water Systems - Satisfying Domestic Hot Water Needs with Renewable Energy 71 -- Conventional Hot Water Systems 71 -- Tankless Water Heaters 74 -- What is a Solar Hot Water System? 76 -- A Brief History of Solar Hot Water 77 -- Solar Hot Water Systems 79 -- Which System is Best for You? 92 -- Sizing Your System 93 -- Finding a Competent Installer 96 -- Economics of Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems 97 -- Chapter 4 Free Heat - Passive Solar, Active Solar, and Heat Pumps 101 -- What is Passive Solar Heating? 102 -- Is Passive Solar for You? 104 -- Types of Passive Solar Design 105 -- Getting the Help You Need 113 -- Some Final Thoughts on Passive Solar Retrofits 114 -- Active Solar Retrofits 114 -- Active Hot Air Systems 115 -- Heat Pumps 116 -- Chapter 5 Wood Heat 121 -- Retrofitting Fireplaces for Efficiency 121 -- Fuel-Efficient Wood Burning Stoves 122 -- Shopping for an Efficient, Clean-Burning Wood Stove 126 -- Wood Furnaces 134 -- Pellet Stoves 136 -- Masonry Heaters 137 -- Chapter 6 Passive Cooling - Staying Cool All Summer Long, Naturally 145 -- What is Passive Cooling? 146 -- Tools in the Passive Cooling Toolbox 147 -- Building a Better Future 165 -- Chapter 7 Solar Electricity - Powering Your Home with Solar Energy 169 -- What is a Solar Electric System? 170 -- Buying a Solar Electric System 191 -- Locating a Reliable Contractor 205 -- Why Install Solar Electricity? 206 -- Chapter 8 Wind Power - Meeting Your Needs for Electricity 207 -- Is Wind Power in Your Future? 208 -- Wind Power: A Brief History 209 -- Understanding Wind Generators 210 -- Wind Systems: Three Basic Options 212 -- Is Wind Energy Appropriate Where You Live? 214 -- Selecting a Wind Generator and Tower 217 -- Financial Matters 228 -- Wind Power without Installing a Wind Generator 230 -- Chapter 9 Microhydro - Generating Electricity from Running Water 233 -- An Introduction to Hydroelectric Systems 234 -- Anatomy of a Microhydro System 235 -- Assessing the Feasibility of Your Site 237 -- Buying and Installing a System 247 -- Finding an Installer or Installing a System Yourself 256 -- Pros and Cons of Microhydro Systems 256 -- Chapter 10 What's on the Horizon? New Fuels and New Technologies for Homes and Autos 259 -- More Fossil Fuels 260 -- Hydrogen: Solution or Distraction? 261 -- Hybrid Transition 265 -- Plug-In Hybrids 271 -- Biodiesel-Powered Vehicles and Homes 272 -- Vegetable Oil as Fuel? 276 -- What about Ethanol? 281 -- Methane Digesters 283 -- Botanical Revolution 283.