Intro to building with Straw Bales

http://howtocat.blogspot.com/2008/06/intro-to-building-with-straw-bales.html

HOME POWER magazine

HomePower magazine is THE BEST alternative energy magazine available. The articles are well written and the layout and style is excellent. Most are about someone, somebody or some organization who decided to make their place less energy dependent.

Each article starts with the Who, Why and Where—then goes into the How and What is needed to accomplish the task. Articles usually cover problems, expenses and SOLUTIONS and ends with a resource list, prices, charts, calculations and does it all in about three pages.

All the ads are for good companies and can only say GOOD & GREAT things about HomePower magazine. It's offered in Print and via PDF download—and there's plenty of excellent, free info on their website.

Richard and Karen Perez launched Home Power in 1987 and have been totally off the grid for more than 20 years! • http://www.homepower.com

Straw Bale Construction

There are a lot of myths out there about straw bale construction. There are people who will tell you that homes built with straw bales will encourage rodents and other pests. They may also warn you against the high likelihood of fire in a straw bale home. Perhaps they would even go so far as to suggest that straw bale houses cannot hold their value over time. The naysayers are around, and that is not likely to change anytime soon; however, you can find out the facts for yourself by watching this video. Don’t rely on those who would speak false information as if it were truth. My goal with http://www.StrawBale.com is to get the truth about straw bale construction in front of as many people as possible.
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YouTube videos on Straw Bale building: http://video.google.com/

Pioneers show Americans how to live "off-grid"

By Tim Gaynor

BISBEE, Ariz (Reuters) - With energy prices going through the roof, an alternative lifestyle powered by solar panels and wind turbines has suddenly become more appealing to some. For architect Todd Bogatay, it has been reality for years.

When he bought this breezy patch of scrub-covered mountaintop with views to Mexico more than two decades ago, he was one of only a few Americans with an interest in wind- and solar-powered homes. — Now, Bogatay is surrounded by 15 neighbors who, like him, live off the electricity grid, with power from solar panels and wind turbines that he either built or helped to install.

"Electric and gas are going to skyrocket very soon. There are going to be more reasons for doing it, economic reasons," he said.

Bogatay and his neighbors at the 120-acre development are among a very small but fast-growing group of Americans opting to meet their own energy needs as power prices surge and home repossessions grow.

"It has its roots in 1970s hippy culture and survivalism, but it has now superseded that completely," said Nick Rosen, a trend analyst and author of the book "How to Live Off-Grid."
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"I like being my own power company," said Chris Allen, a neighbor of Bogatay's who has lived off-grid for several years.

"I wouldn't take their electricity if they brought it to my back door. Living like this is financially and mentally very healthy."

more/source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/newsOne/

Basic introductions: Low-Impact Living...

• http://www.lowimpact.org/factsheets.htm
• http://www.lowimpact.org/manuals.htm
• http://www.lowimpact.org/forums/

Home Energy Audit

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit. A Step-By-Step Guide for Identifying and Improving Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
http://www.seattle.gov/light/printdocs/DoItYourselfHome.PDF
Table of Contents
I. How to Determine the Energy Efficiency of Your Home
II. Insulation Levels
III. Air Leaks
IV. Moisture Control
V. Your Heating/Cooling System
VI. Windows
VII. Water Heater and Other Appliances
VIII. Lighting
IX. Checklist of Needed Improvements
X. Payback

Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

Lowes: Making Your Home More Energy Efficient