Product Description

In this book (and its companion, Volume 2) you will find encouraging, practical and immediately useful hands-on information from both long-term green building professionals and enthusiastic newcomers to the movement. The fundamentals chapter will quickly introduce you to the main issues and what needs to be achieved. The trends and direction chapter brings you a snapshot of the deep green and the mainstream green agendas. Following these chapters the book goes on into the details of each particular subject one by one. This is a big book and we have covered just about every subject area in some detail to help get you up to speed. However, to be sure you are not left wanting, we have included many references and suggestions for further reading and contacts, either at the end of each story, or in the appendices at the back of the book. We have tried to leave no stone unturned in this edition. If it is not in here then it is not green building!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41148 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 2 pages

Review
This book takes the reader from the more general discussion of sustainability issues in the excellent Volume 1 to the specific technical information required in the design and build of low energy buildings. Starting with the effects of site and climate, it progresses through various shapes of buildings to an interesting and informative section on the theory and practice of various construction elements. Detailing similar to that available in considerably more expensive and far thinner technical pamphlets are shown along with interesting facts and figures. A short but instructive section on the crucially important topics of air-tightness and ventilation treats these often misunderstood issues in a clear and concise manner. Further sections handle renewable sources, management and monitoring of energy, lighting and heating, cooling and water conservation. Each section concludes with a generous list of references and acknowledgements to enable the dedicated reader to follow topics of particular interest to the source documentation. A perfect complement to Volume 1, this book is similarly inexpensive considering the concentration of useful references and value of the technical information it contains. For anyone looking into the field of sustainable building, these two books together are a bargain you should not miss. --Martin Anderson

The Green Building Bible Volume 2, entitled The low energy design technical reference is billed as The perfect companion to the Green Building Bible, Volume1 . The content of this book is essentially the technical backup to Volume 1. It too is split up into nine chapters, and although these chapters do not mirror those of Volume 1, they follow a logical path. Starting from the beginning, site location and climate is discussed. This, naturally, is the starting point of any low energy design because the building must suit what the local environment and infrastructure can provide. On from here the second chapter covers form and function and introduces how to calculate heat losses from the building through the fabric and the ventilation as well as how the design of the building can be utilised to improve its overall performance. The third chapter expands on the performance of the structure and looks at super insulation as well as the thermal performance of doors, windows and other elements of the structure. Infiltration and ventilation are the subject matter for chapter four. Air tightness, of course, plays a large part in the heating requirements of the building and this chapter gives some tips on helping improve air tightness through detailing. Another subject covered at length is this chapter is passive or natural ventilation design. Chapter five talks at length about energy and renewables, including practical calculations to help determine the potential output of renewable energy sources for your given installation. The subject of renewable energy sources is probably, for me at least, one of the most exciting parts of green building. Super insulation and air tightness have been common place across many parts of Europe for many years now, and as such there is a great deal of information on these matters. Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, are a relatively new to the majority of people. Understanding how these systems work, and how they can be bought together to create a system that actually works in reality, is vital in ensuring that the time, money and faith that is put in some of these systems and what they represent (i.e. net zero carbon) yields satisfactory results for the end user. Lighting and heating systems, both mechanical and natural, are covered in chapter six. There are, again, calculations and practical examples of how a balance of natural lighting can be achieved whilst considering heat loss in the winter and overheating in the summer. There is also a raft of information about types of lighting and installation to maximise the effect whilst minimising power requirements. Chapter seven covers cooling and starts out by discussing how to reduce unwanted heat gains. Passive cooling is also discussed at great length with examples of the use of thermal mass and earth tubes, as well as maximising the performance of mechanical cooling systems. Water conservation is the subject of chapter eight, and energy management and monitoring are the subject of chapter nine. The front of this book says it is The perfect companion to the Green Building Bible, Volume 1 . The two publications complement each other very well, with Volume 1 providing a huge amount of background information, and Volume 2 providing the technical information to turn the contents of Volume 1 into reality. I am also of the opinion, however, that Volume 2 stands fully on its own as a competent and helpful publication. For those involved with either a self build project, those who want to learn more about sustainable building and living and even for construction professions, the information contained in these two publications will undoubtedly prove of huge benefit. --Lewis Taylor

From the Publisher
The Green Building Press is an independent publishing business run by people who are committed to sustainable living. It was established in 1990 to encourage and promote sustainable and environmentally responsible construction with the aim of delivering this information to as wide an audience as possible. Its website (which includes masses of free information) and publications help people create healthy and ecological homes and buildings. Its publications include the quarterly magazine, `Green Building' (formerly Building for a Future), the `Green Building Bible' and `GreenPro', the online eco building database. At the free web forum anyone can ask questions about any aspect of eco building. The information is presented in a user-friendly manner to appeal to both professionals and the general public. The business model also follows the same philosophy and all work is to a strict environmental policy. The offices are in a building renovated to high environmental standards on a farm managed for timber and wildlife. All in-house energy requirements are provided from renewables (wind, sun and water).

From the Author
Welcome to this, the second edition of the Green Building Bible. Almost a year in the making, this ground-breaking publication builds upon the achievements of the first edition. My primary goal for this edition was to ensure it was inclusive and covered the whole green building movement. I am pleased to say that I think these goals have largely been achieved and after reading the book I’m confident that you will agree.
This book is testament to the fact that there are many desperately concerned individuals out there that have little confidence in the way most of our current homes and offices are designed and built and they see no future in the ‘business as usual’ approach most of the industry wishes to pursue. Whilst no single person knows exactly what needs to be done to rectify the damage that we are collectively inflicting upon the planet, it is clear from within these pages that there are many things we can do to address the problems. The construction industry is a very conservative beast and it is clear that there are many existing vested interests who are resistant to change. Let’s hope that those who read this book will join the campaign to persuade them otherwise.
In compiling this book I hope that I have provided you, the reader, with in-depth and adequately referenced information regarding the many avenues available that you may wish to follow - whether you are just a concerned householder with a family that you care for or an industry leader requiring a briefing on the state of play of this rapidly maturing ‘green building’ sector. I am not claiming that this book contains all of the answers but I am confident that this is the best attempt to date.
This book provides not only a snapshot of the current state of play in the green building movement but also works as an encouraging, practical and immediately useful hands-on tool for newcomers to the subject, as well as those already in the industry. I wish to add a personal thank you to all those who have contributed to and supported the production of this edition, especially to my wife Sally who is really the backbone of much of my work. Without her expert and dedicated managerial skills, this edition would not have been achieved.
I would also like to offer my personal thanks to the many authors that have provided the core data for this book. I have taken advantage of the great desire for co-operation that exists within the green building industry. This has enabled me to bring together such a diverse range of architects, builders, scientists, manufacturers, product distributors, installers, and end users. It is this diversity and willingness to share that always fuels my willingness to keep publishing this kind of information. This book now takes its place alongside my other publication, Building for a Future magazine, in charting the continued development of the green building industry in the UK.
Publishers are a much maligned breed but my personal active involvement in this sector for over 15 years, coupled with my hands-on background for many years as a time-served carpenter and joiner and house builder have acted as a catalyst for engagement with all of the major green building organisations that are individually delivering the green building message within and around the industry. This engagement has allowed me to combine, for the first time and in one publication, a gauge of the current state of play of the industry.
Throughout this book, in our other publications and on our web site, you will find a wealth of information, ideas and products to help you play your part in balancing the burden that we and our buildings are placing on the environment. As each year passes by, the opportunities to make a difference are increasing and there are now a growing number of government and local authority initiatives and grants for projects or technology that will improve the environmental performance of buildings.
I am already planning the third edition of The Green Building Bible. If you wish to be involved contact me. If there is a particular subject that you think we have overlooked or one which you would like to see featured, contact me. If you have any comment on this issue, any projects you would like included or are involved with any initiative or organisation that should be included in the future edition, contact me.
There is a profile of all of the authors that have contributed to this book on page 280.

Keith Hall - Publishing Editor

Customer Reviews

Helpful and up to date with useful contacts
I am a great fan of the Green Building Bible and have seen it evolve over the years from one to two volumes with the latest incarnation being the recent fourth edition; Vols 1 and 2. Both of the volumes of the 3rd edition were runners up in the RIBA International Book Award in 2007. It has continued to grow in breadth and depth with the latest edition containing even more information to make this edition the best value and most detailed books on this subject available to date. In Vol 1 the numerous articles are written by a diverse array of authors but all come together in a way that brings a refreshing honesty which I greatly appreciate with all the current hype and "greenwash" that tends to increase when an issue, such as the environment, becomes mainstream. I have seen more and more books published on green building and the majority of these are little more than expensive coffee table offerings with colourful pictures, scant detail and promoting new technologies and materials that are not even appropriate for the majority of our buildings. The Green Building Bible is different. It offers masses of information on every conceivable aspect of eco building from the very low impact approach to the higher tech approaches but it does include any drawbacks of a system where appropriate. This honesty is not surprising though as the publisher has been involved with promoting sustainable building since the 1980's and only produces these books and a regular magazine on the same subject. I was also pleased to discover that the publisher too is genuinely committed to the sustainable approach in both business and lifestyle. Volume 1 is a general introduction to the subject with information on virtually all aspects of designing and constructing a sustainable and low energy building. Though this book includes adverts these compliment the content and are usefully bundled between Topics to ease finding contacts. As green building is still on the fringe, albeit becoming more mainstream, such contacts are very useful if embarking on a project. I is reassuring to see that the publisher has a strict advertising policy that is set out with the list of advertisers at the back of the book. The policy is clear and has gives confidence to know businesses in the books have been strictly scrutinised to ensure no one is conned into purchasing "greenwash"

Comprehensive and good value
I am studying Building Surveying and have an interest in Sustainable Construction. This book is not like many environmental construction books that want to tell you exclusively about building houses out of mud or offering a solution so expensive they will never be widely adopted. It does include these options but is extremely practical, thorough and unagendered in its approach and content, enabling you to relate sustanability to general construction. So much so that I have used it with great success to incorporate sustainability discussions inside general construction assignments at Uni. A great resource at a great price.

Every building practitioner should read it
It is really nice book which help much these days specially for those who cares about the environment... :).