Passive solar heating and passive cooling—approaches known as natural conditioning—provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved.

Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book "The Natural House," brings those principles up to date for a new generation of solar enthusiasts.

In "The Solar House," Chiras sets the record straight on the vast potential for passive heating and cooling. Acknowledging the good intentions of misguided solar designers in the past, he highlights certain egregious erros and shows how to avoid them. More importantly, Chiras explains in methodical detail how today’s home builders can succeed with solar designs.

Readers will learn:
- How to select a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly backup heating system.
- how to preserve indoor air quality in an airtight, energy-efficient home.
- ways of employing green building materials in a naturally conditioned home....

This comprehensive book describes the ecological principles, policies, and practices required to create a sustainable future. It emphasizes practical, cost-effective, sustainable solutions to these problems that make sense from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. A focus on sustainable development puts readers in touch with one of the most significant shifts in thinking and action in the environmental and resource management arenas. A variety of lasting solutions are provided that make sense from social, economic, and environmental viewpoints. Natural Resource Conservation and Management: Past, Present and Future, Economics, Ethics, and Critical Thinking: Tools for Creating a Sustainable Future, Lessons from Ecology, The Human Population Challenge, World Hunger: Solving the Problem Sustainably, The Nature of Soils, Soil Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, Aquatic Environments, Managing Water Resources Sustainability, Water Pollution, Fisheries Conservation, Rangeland Management, Forest Management, Plant and Animal Extinction, Wildlife Management, Sustainable Waste Management, Air Pollution, Global Warming and Climate Change,  Acid Deposition and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, Minerals, Mining, and a Sustainable Society,Nonrenewable Energy Resources: Issues and Options,Creating a Sustainable System of Energy. Intended for those interested in gaining a basic knowledge of natural resources and conservation

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The Natural House is a tour of the construction, costs, and pros and cons of fourteen natural building methods. Straw Bale, Rammed Earth, Cob, Cordwood, Adobe, Earthbags, Papercrete, Earthships…whatever the method, the common goal is to create a house that is economical, energy efficient, nontoxic, soothing to the soul, kind to the environment, and pleasing to behold. This comprehensive sourcebook offers in-depth information that will guide your search for the perfect sustainable dream home. It is a must for home builders, contractors, and architects.

Author Dan Chiras shows how you can gain energy independence and reduce your environmental impact through passive solar heating and cooling techniques, solar electricity, wind power, and micro-hydropower. He also explains safe, economical ways to obtain clean drinking water and treat wastewater, and discusses affordable green products.

While he's an unabashed advocate of natural building techniques, Chiras takes care not to romanticize and to alert readers to avoidable pitfalls. His detailed, practical, and ecologically sound advice can save tens of thousands of dollars, whether you are buying, building, or renovating a natural home....