Green Building Bible: In Depth Technical Information and Data on the Strategies and the Systems Needed to Create Low Energy, Green Buildings: v. 2: In ... to Create Low Energy, Green Buildings: 2 [Illustrated] [Paperback]

This book takes the reader from the more general discussion of sustainability issues in the excellent Volume 1 to the specific technical information required in the design and build of low energy buildings. Starting with the effects of site and climate, it progresses through various shapes of buildings to an interesting and informative section on the theory and practice of various construction elements. Detailing similar to that available in considerably more expensive and far thinner technical pamphlets are shown along with interesting facts and figures. A short but instructive section on the crucially important topics of air-tightness and ventilation treats these often misunderstood issues in a clear and concise manner. Further sections handle renewable sources, management and monitoring of energy, lighting and heating, cooling and water conservation. Each section concludes with a generous list of references and acknowledgements to enable the dedicated reader to follow topics of particular interest to the source documentation. A perfect complement to Volume 1, this book is similarly inexpensive considering the concentration of useful references and value of the technical information it contains. For anyone looking into the field of sustainable building, these two books together are a bargain you should not miss. --Martin Anderson

The Green Building Bible Volume 2, entitled The low energy design technical reference is billed as The perfect companion to the Green Building Bible, Volume1 . The content of this book is essentially the technical backup to Volume 1. It too is split up into nine chapters, and although these chapters do not mirror those of Volume 1, they follow a logical path. Starting from the beginning, site location and climate is discussed. This, naturally, is the starting point of any low energy design because the building must suit what the local environment and infrastructure can provide. On from here the second chapter covers form and function and introduces how to calculate heat losses from the building through the fabric and the ventilation as well as how the design of the building can be utilised to improve its overall performance. The third chapter expands on the performance of the structure and looks at super insulation as well as the thermal performance of doors, windows and other elements of the structure. Infiltration and ventilation are the subject matter for chapter four. Air tightness, of course, plays a large part in the heating requirements of the building and this chapter gives some tips on helping improve air tightness through detailing. Another subject covered at length is this chapter is passive or natural ventilation design. Chapter five talks at length about energy and renewables, including practical calculations to help determine the potential output of renewable energy sources for your given installation. The subject of renewable energy sources is probably, for me at least, one of the most exciting parts of green building. Super insulation and air tightness have been common place across many parts of Europe for many years now, and as such there is a great deal of information on these matters. Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, are a relatively new to the majority of people. Understanding how these systems work, and how they can be bought together to create a system that actually works in reality, is vital in ensuring that the time, money and faith that is put in some of these systems and what they represent (i.e. net zero carbon) yields satisfactory results for the end user. Lighting and heating systems, both mechanical and natural, are covered in chapter six. There are, again, calculations and practical examples of how a balance of natural lighting can be achieved whilst considering heat loss in the winter and overheating in the summer. There is also a raft of information about types of lighting and installation to maximise the effect whilst minimising power requirements. Chapter seven covers cooling and starts out by discussing how to reduce unwanted heat gains. Passive cooling is also discussed at great length with examples of the use of thermal mass and earth tubes, as well as maximising the performance of mechanical cooling systems. Water conservation is the subject of chapter eight, and energy management and monitoring are the subject of chapter nine. The front of this book says it is The perfect companion to the Green Building Bible, Volume 1 . The two publications complement each other very well, with Volume 1 providing a huge amount of background information, and Volume 2 providing the technical information to turn the contents of Volume 1 into reality. I am also of the opinion, however, that Volume 2 stands fully on its own as a competent and helpful publication. For those involved with either a self build project, those who want to learn more about sustainable building and living and even for construction professions, the information contained in these two publications will undoubtedly prove of huge benefit. --Lewis Taylor

In this book (and its companion, Volume 2) you will find encouraging, practical and immediately useful hands-on information from both long-term green building professionals and enthusiastic newcomers to the movement. The fundamentals chapter will quickly introduce you to the main issues and what needs to be achieved. The trends and direction chapter brings you a snapshot of the deep green and the mainstream green agendas. Following these chapters the book goes on into the details of each particular subject one by one. This is a big book and we have covered just about every subject area in some detail to help get you up to speed. However, to be sure you are not left wanting, we have included many references and suggestions for further reading and contacts, either at the end of each story, or in the appendices at the back of the book. We have tried to leave no stone unturned in this edition. If it is not in here then it is not green building!