Solar and Energy-Efficient House Design:
Reading and Source List
The following books and periodicals provide sources of plans for solar and energy-efficient homes. This list does not include all available sources of information, nor is the mention of any publication a recommendation or an endorsement. To obtain these publications, contact your local library, bookstore, or listed publisher. Check availability, prices, and shipping charges before placing an order. This list was updated in September 2002.
Books and Plans
The Affordable Expandable Florida Home, Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), 1991. Available from the FSEC (see Source List below). 6 pp., free, Order No. HP-9. This publication contains three to four plans ranging in size from 900-2,100 square feet.
Affordable Passive Solar Homes, R. Crowther, SciTech. Inc., 1984. Available from American Solar Energy Society (see Source List below). 188 pp., $20.00, ISBN: 0-916653-00-5. This book contains 49 low-cost designs for passive solar homes. The plans include solar, ventilation, cooling, and extra features, as well as a finished illustration of the design. Also includes a bibliography and a glossary.
Designs for Affordable Housing: Cost-Effective Energy Conserving Homes, Steven Winter Associates, 1983. Available from HUD User, P.O. Box 23268, Washington, DC 20026; Phone: (800) 245-2691; Fax: (202) 708-9981; Email: helpdesk@huduser.org; World Wide Web: www.huduser.org. 53 pp., $10.00, Order No. HUD2833. This report contains plans for 22 cost-effective energy-conserving homes developed through federally funded research programs. Ordering information is provided; plan costs vary. It also includes additional sources for plans.
Energy-Efficient Home Designs, Homestore Plans and Publications. Available from Homestore Plans and Publications, 30700 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362; Phone: (805) 557-2300; Fax: (805) 557-2680; Email: info@homeplans.com; World Wide Web:www.homestore.com. $1.70. The plans in this book highlight homes with solar panel options and homes with maximum A/C and heat efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Home Plans for Kentucky, State of Kentucky, Division of Energy, 1987. Available from the State of Kentucky, Division of Energy, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601; Phone: (502) 564-7192; Fax: (502) 564-7484; Email: kyenergy@mail.state.ky.us; World Wide Web: www.kyenvironment.org/nrepc/dnr/energy/dnrdoe.html. 27 pp., single copies free. This publication provides information on 10 plans ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet.
The Florida "Cracker-Style," FSEC, 1990. Available from the FSEC (see Source List below). 6 pp., free, Order No. HP-8. This publication contains three to four plans ranging in size from 900-2,100 square feet.
Low-Cost Urban House Plans. Eight plans on 18 x 24 inch sheets, now sold as 3 sets, June 1999, available from Solstice Publications, P.O. Box 44, Evergreen, CO 80437; Phone: (303) 674-7700; Fax: (303) 674-7772; Email: solstice@domtech.com . $48.00, Order No. HO-034. When ordering, add 10% of the total order for shipping and handling.
The Natural House: A Complete Guide to Healthy, Energy-Efficient, Environmental Homes, D. Chiras, Chelsea Green, 2000. 470 pp., $35.00, ISBN 1-890132-57-8. Check local bookstores.
The New Florida Home, Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), 1988. Available from the FSEC (see Source List below). 6 pp., free, Order No. HP-0. This publication contains three to four plans ranging in size from 900 to 2,100 square feet.
The New Solar Home Book, B. Anderson and M. Riordan, Brick House Publishing Co., 1987. Availability unknown. 226 pp., ISBN 0-931790-70-0. This book is a technical, practical guide to solar energy fundamentals for the home. It includes information on glazings, sunspaces, hot water systems, and photovoltaics.
The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, M. Crosbie (ed), John Wiley, 1997. Available from the American Solar Energy Society (see Source List below). 291 pp., $90.00, 0-471-18308-3. This book is for architects and builders emphasizing a "whole house" design and construction approach.
Passive Solar Energy: The Homeowner’s Guide to Natural Heating and Cooling (2nd ed.) B. Anderson and M. Wells, Brick House Publishing Co., 1993. Availability unknown. 197 pp., ISBN 0-931790-22-0. This publication conveys practical information on energy efficiency and passive solar techniques for a new home or retrofitting an existing one.
The Passive Solar House, J. Kachordorian, Chelsea Green Publishing, 1997. Available from American Solar Energy Society (see Source List below). 220 pp., 24.95, ISBN 0-930031-97-0. This book provides how-to-advice on solar design.
Passive Solar House Plans, Solstice Designs, Inc., Box 2043, Evergreen, CO 80439; Phone: (303) 674-7700; Fax: (303) 674-7772; Email: Solstice@domtech.com. Contact for details.
Solar Homes for North Carolina, Energy Division, North Carolina Department of Economic and Community Development, 1984. Available from the North Carolina Solar Center, Campus Box 7401, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7401; Phone: (919) 515-5666 or (800) 33-NC SUN; Fax: ((919) 515-5778; Email: ncsun@ncsu.edu; World Wide Web: www.ncsc.ncsu.edu. 38 pp., free to residents of NC; all others $3.00. This publication provides sketches, descriptions, floor plans, and energy analyses of twelve passive solar homes in a variety of architectural styles. These designs incorporate both energy conservation and passive solar features. Contains ordering information for construction blueprints.
Solar Homes for South Carolina, South Carolina Division of Energy, 1986. Available from the South Carolina Energy Office, 1201 Main Street, Suite 600, Columbia, SC 29201; Phone: (800) 851-8899 or (803) 737-8038; Email: jpgouffray@ogs.state.sc.us; World Wide Web: www.state.sc.us/energy. 25 pp., free. This publication provides sketches, descriptions, floor plans, and energy analyses of eight plans ranging in size from 1,100 to 2,000 square feet.
Sun-Inspired Home Plans, Energetic Design Inc., 1991. Available from Energetic Design, 18250 Tanner Road, Citronelle, AL 36522; Phone: (251) 866-2574; ; Email: sunplans@earthlink.net; World Wide Web: www.sunplans.com . 64 pp. with insert of new house plans, $25.00 includes shipping. This book contains floor plans and elevations for energy-efficient, sun-inspired houses while discussing basic principals of solar design and energy conservation.
Periodicals
Better Homes and Gardens Home Plan Ideas, quarterly. Available from Better Homes and Gardens, Specialty Publications, P.O. Box 9128, Des Moines, IA 50306-0429; Phone: (800) 867-8628; Email: support@bhg.com; World Wide Web: www.bhg.com. $7.00. This periodical includes plans for a wide variety of energy-efficient and solar homes.
Country Journal, bimonthly. Available from Primedia Enthusiast Group, 4 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905; Phone: (203) 321-1751; Fax: (203) 322-1966; World Wide Web: www.primediainc.com.
Country Journal, Subscriber Services, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142; Phone: (800) 829-3340. $14.95 per year. This periodical includes a series of plans for affordable energy-efficient houses. Contains advertisements for house plans and products.
Mother Earth News, bimonthly. Available from Mother Earth News Subscriptions, P.O. Box 56302, Boulder, CO 80322-6302; Phone: (800) 234-3368 or (303) 682-2438; World Wide Web: www.motherearthnews.com. $14.97 per year. This periodical regularly features articles as well as product and plan advertisements pertaining to solar, energy-efficient, and alternative construction techniques.
Solar Today, bimonthly. Available from American Solar Energy Society (see Source List below). World Wide Web: www.ases.org/solar_today/index.htm. $29.00 for non-members. This magazine regularly has articles on solar design applications.
Source List
American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
2400 Central Avenue, Suite G-1
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 443-3130, Fax: (303) 443-3212
Email: ases@ases.org
World Wide Web: www.ases.org
Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
Attn: Public Information Office
1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: (407) 638-1000; Fax: (407) 638-1010
Email: info@fsec.ucf.edu
World Wide Web: www.fsec.ucf.edu
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This brief was reviewed for accuracy and updated in September 2002.
EREC is operated by NCI Information Systems, Inc. for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy. The content of this brief is based on information known to EREC at the time of preparation. No recommendation or endorsement of any non-US Government product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC.
Your interest in energy efficiency and renewable energy is greatly appreciated. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us again.
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