| Book Reviews | Film Review |

Author: Rik DeGunther

Reviewed by Billy Paulson, former Southface Intern

Design engineer Rik DeGunther’s Solar Power Your Home for Dummies is an informative and accessible addition to a series that has often bridged the gap between the expert and layperson. The book is divided into seven sections that are comprehensive in nature, given the fact that the first is a caveat against consumers jumping headfirst into the solar game. Before reading this book, my biggest fear was that the author would preach the virtues of solar power without acknowledging that there are cheaper, more practical ways for the average homeowner to consume less energy. As it turns out, this was not the case – DeGunther was quick to explain that before one invests in solar energy, there are other avenues that first must be exhausted. These avenues are looked at in Chapter 3: Making Your Home Energy Efficient and cover everything from how to analyze your energy bill to employing controlled heating and cooling.

That being said, the rest of the book is devoted to the solar game and DeGunther does a good job of addressing all the main issues sans the technical jargon that is intimidating to those without an engineering degree. Solar Power Your Home is organized according to difficulty, beginning with do-it-yourself projects for the average handyman. Some of the simplier (and least expensive) projects include installing sunscreens and radiant barriers, while the more advanced ones walk the reader through constructing a solar oven, water-purification system and attic vent fan. Each project is explained clearly with graphical support, making even the most difficult projects within reach.

The rest of the book is, for the most part, a reference manual to help those interested in solar energy make decisions that are both practical and economical. DeGunther is at his best in helping the reader determine what type of project calls for a contractor, along with explaining the process involved in hiring one. He leaves something to be desired, however, in looking at what goes into buying and selling a solar home, as well as the various subsidies that can help finance your project. Parts V and VI are the shortest of the book and lack the breadth found in the other, more comprehensive, sections.

Withstanding the aforementioned criticism, DeGunther’s Solar Power Your Home is an excellent introduction to solar energy. His writing is clear and witty, the topics are relevant, and the science is sound. As a result, this book is likely to be not only handy, but also enjoyable to those readers who put it to use.

Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies

Author: Eric Corey Freed

Reviewed by Flavia Melendez, Southface Intern

These days, replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps and using low flow faucets are common features that many people have incorporated in their houses. With the rising awareness of our negative impact on the planet, there has been an increasing interest in alternatives for going green. The For Dummies series now includes a title for all those interested in building or remodeling a house using green concepts. Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies by Eric Corey Freed is a reference book that explores the fundamentals of building or remodeling environmentally friendly houses.

Eric Corey Freed, LEED A.P., is an experienced organic architect influenced by the design approach of Frank Lloyd Wright. With a genuine interest for sustainability and green building, Freed founded organicARCHITECT in 1997 and teaches Sustainable Design at the Academy of Art University and University of California, Berkeley. He is also currently on the Board of Directors of Architects, Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility, Natural World Museum and a Committee Member of the AIA Committee on the Environment and the Friends of Kebyar. As an architect and educator, Freed has compiled a reliable step-by-step guide for green construction sharing his knowledge in building science and his vision of someday having all buildings be green buildings.

The Dummies franchise is known for its easy to read often humorous books. This one is no exception. With individual chapters, pithy icons for essential sections, and simple writing, you can easily learn the basics of green building and remodeling, as well as how buildings impact the environment and human health. However, be aware, this is not a how to book, but a reference book.

The book is compiled so it can be read chapter by chapter or just by the sections for which the reader needs reference. Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies discusses the building process from site planning through indoor air quality, HVAC systems, LEED® certification, waste management and energy and water conservation. Using illustrations and simple charts, the book describes complex topics with ease using clear and concise explanations. In addition, the author gives brief notes on theory related to green construction that adds extra knowledge about green building science.

The book also includes a useful discussion of materials available in the marketplace along with a compendium of where to find green materials, contractors, architects, real estate agents, builders, and green organizations. A very practical tool included in the book are the key questions identified by the author for the reader to pose to the architect, builder, realtor or project manager during each step of the building and remodeling process.

As it is for all building projects, money is an important matter and the author gives tips on how to make the process affordable. After learning about the subjects discussed in the book you should be able to make good decisions when building or remodeling with green in mind and be able to recognize all the benefits a green building offers over a traditional one.

Blue Vinyl A film directed by Judith Helfand and Daniel B. Gold, 98 min, 2002 By LaTaunynia Campbell, Southface LEED for Homes Manager

Blue Vinyl is a smart, entertaining lesson in product-life-cycle assessment. The film follows Judith Helfand on a personal quest to consumer awareness and activism as she explores the cradle to grave aspects of vinyl plastic, also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). With her piece of blue vinyl from the residing of her parent’s house in hand, Judith travels across the country and abroad to Europe to explore the social, economical and environmental effects the creation, the usage and the disposal of this product has on the local, national and global community.

The complex characteristics of social responsible consumerism are playfully and subtly prodded throughout the movie. The film asks us as consumers to look at our environment and question how our consuming behavior has an effect. If a consumer was more aware of product impact - how would the consumer use such information in purchasing? Would a consumer knowing product impact still buy the product? And if so, why? Are healthy alternatives readily available and affordable?

Judith does a great job demonstrating the internal frustration we all have with feeling that our personal, socially-conscience choices do not have any impact on the greater community. She wants us all to understand that change is happening even if we do not see it. As she found out, we all can be “radical and political” in our own quiet way. The viewer is encouraged to explore the additional features of the DVD as they give additional, supporting insight on how to organize your own quest and raise awareness for any personal passion.

The film cleverly builds its case around its topic and does not use in-your-face tactics to get the point across. The story is told through travel, interviews and event participation. The viewer is given political and historical context. Scientific and technical information are conveyed wittingly by the usage of animated interludes, making it more digestible to the audience.

Blue Vinyl personalizes a controversial topic, yet keeps the viewer optimistic and entertained along the way. While some of her positions have been challenged by industry, she charges us as consumers to become more cognizant of how purchased goods have a compounding impact on our global community at large.