Wednesday BookCrave: Green Remodeling

Looking for the ultimate spring project? We’re not talking about building a new deck, cleaning out the garage or updating your landscape. We’re talking about energy independence, green-conscious living and making your home sustainable. Sustainable living isn’t just about doing your part for a healthy environment, its economical. Small adjustments or big investments can cut your energy costs to little or nothing. Want to know how to get started? GearCrave has selected three great books that will walk you through the basics of making your home smart and sustainable.

The Renewable Energy Handbook (Amazon rating: 5 stars, 9 reviews)

The “Renewable Energy Handbook” by William Kemp is the bible of sustainable home remodeling. In 1991, Kemp and his wife worked to take their home off the power grid and run it with renewable energy and basic conservation. After receiving acclaim for their work and becoming inundated with “how to” inquiries, William Kemp penned this book. The Renewable Energy Handbook details how to use photovoltaic (solar), wind and microhydro energy sources to power your home– and how to conserve the energy your home uses. A must read for anyone who wishes to wean themselves from a reliance on Big Energy.

Buy: $19.77

Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House (Amazon rating: 5 stars, 19 reviews)

For those that don’t have the resources or the location for a complete off-the-grid solution, “Natural Remodeling” might be more your speed. This book discusses a range of methods, from basic to complex, on how to make your home more sustainable. From compact fluorescent light bulbs to solar water heating, “Natural Remodeling” is packed with tips on how to update your home to the green economy.

Buy: $16.47

It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living (Amazon rating: 4.5 stars, 12 reviews)

Want to take your new found sustainable lifestyle outside of your home? “It’s Easy Being Green” can help make for a seamless transition. Packed with 250+ tips on eco living in your home and out, this book is extra credit for the required reading above. Beyond the green living tips, “It’s Easy Being Green” dedicates much of its pages to taking your personal experiences to the public with eco activism. We’re not talking Green Peace human chains here, but how to get involved in local politics to help shape the environment in your own neighborhood.

Buy: $10.36