Shelter, like many other elements of human existence,
comes at an extraordinary cost to our planet and its inhabitants. In
the U.S. alone, construction of 1.2 million new homes a year results
in a massive drain on Earth's natural resource base. Today, nearly 60
percent of all timber cut in the U.S. is used in building houses. New
home building and remodeling also generates huge amounts of construction
waste. Maintaining our homes and their day-to-day operation also requires
huge amounts of resources that put a strain on our already taxed environment.
In addition to environmental costs, there are the personal economic
costs--the thousands of dollars each homeowner spends each year to heat,
cool, and power our homes.
Today, a new generation of architects and builders has emerged. This
group is intent on creating homes that meet human needs for shelter
with minimal impact. Many are even seeking ways to create homes that
could have a net positive effect.
The New Ecological Home is a highly engaging overview of green building
techniques, materials, products, and technologies that are either currently
available or will be in the near future. Veteran author and green building
expert Dan Chiras provides a wealth of up-to-date, practical information
for home buyers, owner-builders, and anyone interested in building for
a sustainable future. Included are chapters on:
