Copies of her book are available for sale at www.passivesolarhome.com
With the rising awareness of the fragile nature of our planet, people the world over are searching for ways to make their contribution to energy efficiency and environmental protection. These days we often hear cries of “Why Are Gas Prices So High?” This is not only relevant to the cost of running vehicles but also to the cost of housing.
A recent example of this dilemma is outlined in a Sept. 3, 2005, Washington Post article written by Justin Blum titled, "26 Nations to Release Petroleum Reserves, Global Agency Acts to Control Rising Prices." In this article, Blum mentions that a group of 26 countries, including the United States, has recently agreed to release oil, gasoline or other petroleum products from their emergency reserves in an attempt to bring down soaring prices and avert domestic shortages.
Confronted with these energy issues we are now revisiting what the ancients knew and practised in designing their homes for maximum comfort. These people didn't have our energy hungry air-conditioners.
“New homebuilders often have dreams and goals, but no clue on how to reach them,” says Mills. “It can be so challenging to make a vague idea into a firm house-building action plan with concrete goals and well defined steps. It seems there is a never-ending stream of barriers, from lack of time and money to insufficient information and resources.”
In “Planning Your Solar Home” Mills reveals all of the basics of smart home building, including:
• Passive Solar Home Design (solar energy advantages when selecting site and home orientation, and how to achieve the best energy efficient floor plan, incorporating sound ventilation principles, while combining convenience and economy).
• Passive Solar Power and how it works
• The best Insulation for a home and its location
• Protecting the home against termite invasion
• Selecting the right lighting for each area of the home and selecting windows that conserve energy while making the home comfortable
• Be "automation ready" -- a unique opportunity to wire the new home with a plan for future needs
• Home Security options and much more…
Her new book also shares invaluable information and many strategies to help readers confidently build the new home of their dreams, and readers also learn how to follow the example of the ancients: wisely enlisting Mother Nature's assistance by using passive solar design principles to save on energy bills and protect the environment for future generations. With today's technology we can now include many clever components in new homes that save on energy bills while making homes more comfortable.
One example, as an illustration, is the wide choices now available in high-tech windows. Readers of “Planning Your Solar Home” will learn which products not only keep the home up to 10 percent cooler but also reduce the air-conditioning energy bill. This same product will reduce ultraviolet (UV) radiation by up to 99 percent, reducing interior fading and increasing the life of furnishings by as much as 8.5 times longer!