LIVE IN A HOME THAT PAYS YOU BACK

A guide to reducing a home’s energy use and climate impact.

DeSimone, an expert on housing market trends and mortgage financing and the author of Welcome to the Agrihood (2020), makes a convincing case for the myriad advantages of a sustainable building. It doesn’t have to be new construction, she says; one can retrofit a century-old home to achieve “net zero” environmental impact status. Investing in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials and technologies, she notes, improves the community’s health, comfort, and well-being, while reducing the home’s carbon footprint. She also stresses that the immediate and long-term cost savings of energy-efficient and sustainable homes are substantial; for example, sustainable materials often last longer with less need for expensive maintenance, repair, or replacement. The book also highlights the fact that there are currently more than 2,000 financial incentives available to residential homeowners in the U.S. and Canada, including rebates, specialized financing, and tax breaks for energy efficiency. The author compiles useful information from a wide range of sources to help homeowners and prospective buyers make informed decisions. The text covers green construction techniques; structural materials; heating, cooling, and ventilation; power and water management; renewable energy; certifications such as EnergyStar and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; assessments and appraisals, financing, and more. The writing often falls into the passive voice and occasionally reads like promotional copy, but overall, it’s a thorough and practical work. DeSimone supports her clear explanations of terms and concepts with more than 60 infographics, tables, and illustrations. Resource lists at the end of each section will enable readers to dig deeper into specific topics. The final chapter helpfully lists rebates and incentive programs by state and province, followed by copious endnotes and a comprehensive index.

An authoritative and comprehensive overview of the benefits of energy-efficient homes.