Book Review: The Carbon-Free Home

 

The Carbon-Free Home is written by
Stephen and Rebekah Hren, and is
published by Chelsea Green Publishing.
This 252 page book features 36
projects, for both home owners
and renters to adapt to a less
fossil fuel dependent lifestyle.
Here are a few of the subjects
covered:

1. Renewable Electricity

2. Cooking

3. Refrigeration

4. Heating

5. Food and Landscaping

Did I find this book helpful for
the average homesteader? Do I recommend it?
In a word, yes. There were lots of tidbits
and gems. For instance, I didn't know that
placing a metal roof over an existing roof
can reduce heat in the attic by 50 F degrees.
(Page 166) I didn't know how simple a
process humanure could be. The section
on rainwater collection was very
informative. I wasn't aware that PVC
gutters could leach chemicals, or that a
cistern system needs a "first-flush diverter"
to keep dust, pollen and bird poop out of
the household water.

The gardening section offered some neat
ideas for the edible landscape, and stressed
cooperation with neighbors for food production.
The authors stressed a no till approach, which
isn't practical in many situations.

This book is written to the resource depletion
aware. It may not be a good fit for the
average oil-dependent person. I asked my
dad to have a look at it and comment on
it's technical merits. In his words, he
"couldn't get past the preachy tone" of
the intro to each chapter to read the
message and evaluate the projects suggested.
He tried three times.

So, this is a great book loaded with practical
information for the peak oil aware. It may
not be an ideal introduction to resource
depletion for neophytes.

~Michelle