Energy-Efficient Houses [antikvár]

Introduction We may like to tliink tiiat our concern witii energy-efficient fiousing dates from tfie first oil crisis of tfie 1970s. But in reality, it goes back to tiie dawn of human history, when our iess-than-upright ancestors first realized that caves were warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Housing has improved since then, including how we heat and cool our homes. But we've made a century's worth of progress in the last few decades as we've designed and built houses that keep interiors comfortable at reasonable cost and with little impact on the environment. And, as you will see in these pages, the aesthetics of home building have by no means been lost in the process. Whether cooling houses in the hot climates of Florida, Texas and Arizona or heating them in the chilly winters of New England and Alaska, energy use is an important factor in all home construction and remodeling. In these articles, top-notch designers and architects of energy-efficient houses make available the ideas that have worked for them—and even let you know which ones have failed. They talk about the materials, techniques and styles that they know can help you attain your energy-efficient dream house. -The Editors