Chapter Details

Many chapters have photographs and diagrams to illustrate problems and corrections.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR OWN HOME? deals with key items every home owner should know about their home--- from emergency to efficiency items. 

INSULATION LOAD RATIO describes where most homes are under-insulated, and the most effective places to add insulation. It may surprise you to know that the conditioned air with the greatest difference in temperature from non-conditioned air usually has the weakest (low R-value) insulation. In an existing home, some areas are impractical to increase insulation, yet there are other areas that greatly need more R-value of insulation. 

PRELIMINARY MEASUREMENTS will show you how to take a few temperature measurements, which will reveal where you are loosing the cooling or heating you paid for each month. An easy to follow worksheet is provided which can be used to compare your “before” and “after” results.  NOTE…the projects are one time fixes, the results are lifetime. 

SQUARE FEET PER TON OF AIR CONDITIONING CAPACITY … helps you determine your square feet per ton and compare the result to a chart rated from poor to excellent design. This book will describe in detail how to make the corrections that can improve your position on the chart.

THE UTILITY ROOM describes how your washer and dryer add a heavy load to your air conditioning bills. Did you know that a clothes dryer can suck a complete houseful of air out of the house for each hour it runs, and that the replacement air is usually hot, humid and non-filtered outdoor air that the A/C unit has to cool, dehumidify, and filter? The utility room also causes a lot of dust in the house. The chapter describes the fairly easy corrections that will pay in lower bills and a cleaner house.

CENTRAL FORCED AIR SYSTEM and the chapter REDUCING AIR LEAKS AND HUMIDITY tell how your system operates, filters air, leaks good air, sucks in bad air, and looses efficiency. It also describes mold conditions that the A/C system can cause. The chapters  walk you through the correction projects that should raise the system’s efficiency forever, and provide healthier air, less dust, and better cooling and heating.

THE OUTDOOR UNIT chapter has photographs and descriptions of a number of common problems that the unit (condenser) may have. Many of the problems are builder or installer related, and should be corrected. Other problems are caused by the home- owner, and can be avoided in the future, once informed.

THE CASE FOR ADDING A LOW RETURN AIR DUCT gives a brief review of where we live in our homes and how to correct cold floors and cold feet. The fix is easy for the handy homeowner, and instantly improves the comfort and efficiency of systems that have return air grilles in the ceiling as many two story houses have upstairs.

REDUCING THE ATTIC IMPACT tells why, where and how to reduce the terrible heat load an attic can place on your A/C system. The attic can rob 30% of your cooling costs, and you can greatly reduce the loss by following the directions provided in the book. This is a key area to address, and has a major impact on your total energy costs.

ATTIC ACCESS deals with reducing the large volume of cold winter air and hot summer air that flows into the living area. The correction will also reduce dust (often fiberglass particles), pollen and noise.

THE WATER HEATER describes how to reduce energy losses and lower the load on the A/C system. The chapter also includes a once every 6 years maintenance item that costs about $11 and will save the cost and installation of a new water heater (apx. $500).

SHADE…where it counts the most, how to provide it, why it is important.

DUST REDUCTION…how to really keep the air clean in your house.

PRESERVING YOUR HOME describes a number of tips that will increase the life of your home and keep it less costly to maintain.

ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS THAT ALSO HAVE HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS lists the type of health benefit you will gain from each energy improvement project.

WHEN REPLACEMENTS ARE NECESSARY presents items to consider when you have to replace your heating, cooling or major appliances.

EMERGENCY GENERATOR IN AN EFFICIENT HOME tells how you can power key appliances including heating and cooling systems with a small generator once you have made the home improvements.

THE ANTI-BIO-TERRORIST HOUSE chapter is actually a method I have installed in my home to provide fresh filtered outdoor air. You can build a system yourself and reduce outside contaminates such as mold and pollen by providing positive air pressure inside the house. We use our system in the spring and fall when the nights are cool but the pollen count is high. Our seasonal allergies have been greatly reduced since building the system. It is conceivable, that with enough air injected pressure and the correct anti-nerve or germ filters, the entire house could be made a safe haven in the unlikely event of an attack.