Green Home Book of the Week: Off the Grid

November 12, 2008 in Books by Jennifer | 4 comments

A couple of weeks ago I posted a review of Off the Grid Homes. I recently received a copy of another book by Lori Ryker, Off The Grid Modern Homes + Alternative Energy, and it’s just as good, but in a different way.

Off the Grid Homes was like delicious but useful eye candy for green home lovers. This second book, Off the Grid offers a more in-depth look at home case studies. Don’t think you won’t see yummy homes in this one though; there are plenty of beautiful images to delight your eyes.

Pros:

  1. The thing I liked best about Off the Grid was the surprising variety of projects Ryker looks at, such as a  bungalow remodel, rural house on a pond, a lovely grassland homestead, and more. 10 projects in all, and each stunningly unique with the off grid component in place. No matter what your idea of off grid living is, this book will allow you to consider different possibilities.
  2. There’s a great projects at a glance section at the end of the book. Something I think too many green home books lack. Lately, I’ve been seeing this trait enacted more and more (thankfully) because when you do have an idea in your head, such as I’d like to see how a home that uses solar, wind, and gray water might work out, you can find it quickly with a project glance page.
  3. Each off grid project chapter also has a quick guide at the start. For example, home size, energy use, and materials, among other things is covered.
  4. The images – beautiful! There’s a nice combo of photography and diagrams. While I’m a sucker for house images; diagrams serve a way useful position, in that they allow you a look at the inner workings of say, a home ventilation system or how a geothermal cooling and heating system works.

Cons:

As with Off the Grid Homes, I honestly could not find any cons. If you’re interested in off grid living, green homes, or simply beautiful architecture, both books belong in your collection. Check Off the Grid out at your library first if you like, but I’m betting that you’ll want to own this one.

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  2. Timothy’s avatar

    Timothy on November 13, 2008 at 10:52 am

    I already left a comment on your site, but I just found this page and I am definitely going to be getting this book. I’ve been looking into buy a green home for quite some time and I’m thinking that a prefab green home is the way to go. I always thought that living green meant I had to be willing to pony up the dough, but I guess that’s not the case anymore.

    I was wondering if you have made the transition into a green home? and if so do you like it? Any advice you may have would be great.

    Thanks again.

  3. Jennifer’s avatar

    Jennifer on November 16, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    I helped to hand build a passive solar home, but we sold it because we were moving states. It was a good experience though, because down the road, when I build, or remodel green again, I’ll know what I want. AND better yet, which mistakes to avoid.

  4. Avrim Topel, Author of GREEN BEGINNINGS’s avatar

    Avrim Topel, Author of GREEN BEGINNINGS on January 7, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Speaking of prefab, our new book GREEN BEGINNINGS,The Story of How We Built Our Green & Sustainable Home gives an excellent explanation including 100 photos of planning and building our prefab and part-timber frame LEED Silver and Energy Star Qualified home. We plan to submit it for a review in the very near future.