Books like The Home Energy Diet by Paul Scheckel

Discover how to free yourself from physical and emotional clutter in Gail Blanke’s practical guide that encourages letting go of the past to open space for growth.

Marianne Cusato’s guide teaches how classic architectural principles—balance, proportion, and sustainable detail—create homes that feel right, with hundreds of illustrations and practical advice on every design element.

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you're looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power--and helping the planet at the same time. You'll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You'll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you've decided on a project, you'll see whether it's best to hire a contractor or do it yourself. We leave no stone unturned--you'll also discover how to: Choose and install your best solar system Handle small to large solar projects Heat and cool your house with solar energy Install exterior solar lighting Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects Create greenhouses or solar rooms Build, buy, or sell a solar home Finance your solar investments Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power Avoid the worst solar mistakes Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

Do you long to listen to your favorite CD from anywhere in your house? To set up a wireless network so you can access the Internet in any room? To install an iron-clad security system? To fire up the coffee pot while you're still asleep and wake up with automated lighting? Smart home technology can help you do just that! Smart Homes For Dummies, Third Edition, shows you how easy it can be to create and live in a cutting-edge, fully connected home--without breaking your bank account. With this user-friendly guide, you'll discover all the latest trends and gadgets in home networking, automation, and control that will help you make life more enjoyable and comfortable for your entire family. We help you plan for things such as flat-screen TVs, intercom systems, whole-home audio systems, gaming consoles, and satellite systems. We talk about your wiring (and wireless) options and introduce you to the latest technologies, such as VoIP and Bluetooth. You'll see how to: Build your home network on a budget Turn your home into an entertainment center Access the Internet from any room Get VoIP on your phone network Boost in-home wireless and cell phone signals Connect your computer to your TV Secure your home and property Increase your home's resale value Avoid common networking pitfalls And much, much more Complete with a resource list for more information and neat toys of the future, Smart Homes For Dummies is your plain-English, twenty-first century guide to a fully wired home!

Keeping your home in tip-top shape can be a struggle. Now, the editors at Woman's Day bring you the essential guide to home care with solutions to all the obstacles between you and a well-maintained home. This all-encompassing guide covers every topic from laundry to organizing and storage solutions to using and re-using items in your home. The practical, yet ingenious advice jam-packed in this guidebook includes the solution to keeping your fingernails clean when gardening, the ultimate answer to the dilemma of those greasy dishes, and the perfect use for old socks with holes. With so many fast and handy tips for those household problems that we face everyday, this book is the best way to say goodbye to stress and hello to a clean and well-ordered home.

Learn how to buy, maintain, and sell a home for maximum profit with practical rules, charts, and real-world case studies—from choosing the right loan to upgrading, landscaping, and final selling tactics.

How many readers does it take to change a light bulb?Only one if he or she is armed with this book! Rather than focus on the big projects that most homeowners would wisely leave to professionals, it concentrates on the common repairs that everyone encounters and anyone can dowith the right instructionincluding repairing holes and dents in drywall; fixing popped nails in walls; checking and replacing fuses; unclogging drains; replacing light fixtures; fixing squeaky floors; repairing cracked tile and damaged carpet; replacing screens; screening gutters; and much more.Contains 250 to 300 step-by-step illustrations

A comprehensive guide to installing and using solar power for your home.

Most people are unaware that environmental problems such as climate change can be easily avoided, at a profit, through the intelligent application of appropriate technology. The Carbon Buster's Home Energy Handbook describes how to achieve this goal in the residential field.