WEATHERSFIELD AUTHORS WRITE 'NEW GREEN HOME SOLUTIONS' BOOK ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING, OCTOBER 7, 2008
By JULIA LLOYD WRIGHT-Contributing Writer
Sunday, February 15, 2009 4:46 PM
WEATHERSFIELD -- "There's beauty in solar" according to Dave Bonta, co-author of "New Green Home Solutions: Renewable Household Energy and Sustainable Living."
A Weathersfield resident, formerly from Connecticut, Bonta is the President and founder of USA Solar Stores, LLC and 'walks the talk' living with his wife Dani off the grid in their solar powered home. Bonta, who has written for Green Living and Back Home Magazine, said he took one solar course in college and was 'hooked.'
Co-author Stephen Snyder already well-known for his "Beer" books spent three years working as Communications Director with Bonta for the USA Solar Stores and also lives in Weathersfield. Snyder is currently a partner in Barleywine Graphics, a web design company working he runs with his wife, Melissa, the Weathersfield webmaster.
Snyder came to Weathersfield from Richmond, Va., studied film and TV at the University of VA in Chapel Hill, N.C. where he started his writing career. His previous books include The Brewmasters Bible and The Beer Companion.
The Green Home book covers installations in homes across the country illustrating how not only solar, but wind energy, thermal mass and hydroelectric systems can be integrated into sustainable living.
House siting and passive solar also play a big part along with renewable energy systems in lowering energy costs and increasing value for the homeowner.
Helpful hints and information are offered for financing, incentives, rebates and tax credits which take on an important role when home owners, or small business owners are considering investing in renewable energy systems.
The resource guide at the back of the book covers a partial listing of West Coast architects, builders and designers, together with a 50-state guide to respective energy offices.
Extensive and comprehensive lists are given for National Associations, Renewable Energy Industry Groups, Conservation and Efficiency and resources for all forms of renewable energy including bio-diesel. A bibliography of books and magazines supplies plenty of winter reading.
Photographs show several local homes in Weathersfield, Chester and Peru illustrating that there is beauty not only in solar but other forms of renewable energy.
What the book does not illustrate is that renewable energy can be incorporated into more modest homes. Beside 'changing the proverbial light bulb' tax credits and many state grants as well as bank loans are available for affordable solar panel and solar tube hot water and heating systems.
The book makes a great gift, or a nudge, to new homebuilders and homeowners who have been contemplating less dependence on fossil fuels and more independence and sustainability.
New Green Home Solutions is a paperback book published by Gibbs Smith of Layton, Utah.
Bonta and Snyder will participate in "Fall Into Weathersfield" on Saturday, Oct.11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a book signing during the Book and Bake Sale at the Proctor Library on Route 5 in Ascutney.
For further information go it: www.newgreenhomesolutions.com
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