Introduction: The case for zero energy houses -- [Pt.] 1: The Building Envelope. Building science 101 ; Learning from the passive house movement ; The diversity of framing practices ; Attic and roofing systems ; Insulation choices and strategies ; Testing the building ; Putting it all together ; Case study: High heat ; Case study: Butterfly home in the city ; Case study: Outside-in retrofit -- [Pt.] 2: Passive Solar Design. Passive solar in the 1970s ; The design process ; Choosing glazing ; Thermal mass ; Solar shading ; Principles of passive solar design ; Case study: PassivHaus retrofit ; Case study: Bringing 1887 into the 21st century ; Case study: Target zero house in Taos -- [Pt.] 3: Renewable Energy. From sunlight alone, clean electricity ; Harnessing the power of the wind ; Making hot water with the sun ; Sizing a renewable energy system ; Look at all the renewable energy options ; Case study: Good life in Vermont ; Case study: Next West house ; Case study: High-end lakeside retrofit -- [Pt.] 4: Heating, Cooling, And Ventilation. Options for heat ; Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling ; Electric-resistance heat can work in a net zero house ; Wood and other forms of biomass ; Getting heat around the house ; Keeping the house cool ; Ventilation for a healthy house ; Heating water ; Case study: Solar jewel in Boulder ; Case study: Reinventing the high rise ; Case study: All-electric house: $1.16 a day -- [Pt.] 5: Living A Zero Energy Life. It's not just low energy bills ; Gaining a new appreciation for energy ; Mechanical systems are more complicated ; Fighting the perceptions of high cost-- Marketing the zero energy house ; House that's also a classroom ; Case study: Affordable housing meets zero energy -- Appendix 1: Energy modeling software -- Appendix 2: Air changes per hour : 50 pascals of pressure.
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