"In today's world, when making home improvements, there is more to consider than simply changing the way your home looks or functions. Environmental issues should be part of every decision you make - from selecting fabric for soft furnishings to designing and siting a home extension. Eco House Book provides all the information you need to reduce your home's carbon footprint and directly improve your quality of life. Most homes are not decorated, designed, constructed or serviced with ecofriendliness in mind. But you don't have to start again from scratch to make a huge difference to the way your home impacts on the environment. There is a great deal we can do to convert our existing homes into greener, healthier places to live. Eco House Book explains how relatively small changes can be made, including simple repairs to improve energy efficiency and water saving tips, to more dramatic overhauls such as redesigning room use, converting basements and extending your home. Special focus is given to reducing the vast amounts of energy and water that homes consume on a daily basis, with advice on low energy lighting strategies and decorative choices, improving insulation and reducing energy use, the latest green heating systems, alternative ways of generating power, and electricity reducing appliances. As we are urged to change our lifestyles to reduce our carbon footprint and consumption of water, there has never been a better time to green your home"--Publisher's description.