Best Energy Efficient Remodeling & Renovation Books of 2025

This book, titled "40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide" by Creative Homeowner, is a comprehensive guide to building backyard structures that enhance sustainable living. From garden structures to chicken coops, sheds, fences, and more, this book provides step-by-step instructions, tools, materials lists, and easy-to-understand techniques to build over 40 projects. The book is designed with simplicity, convenience, and budget in mind, making it accessible to even moderately handy individuals. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those looking to become self-sufficient and save money by doing it themselves.

Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills is an eminently useful, full-color guide that teaches basic living skills employed by our forefathers and adapts them for a better life in the twenty-first century. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn old-fashioned skills and escape to an era before power saws and fast-food restaurants. The book is complete with tips for old-fashioned fun, including homemade toys, kayaking tips, and square dancing calls. Highly recommended for dreamers and those who want to live a healthier, greener, and more self-sufficient lifestyle.

The Pretty Good House book provides a practical and affordable framework for homeowners looking to build or renovate a high-performance home with a focus on sustainability and personal needs. Authors Michael Maines, Dan Kolbert, Emily Mottram, and Christopher Briley offer guidelines for constructing homes that are small, durable, insulated, and air-sealed. The book is a must-read for anyone looking to build a home that is healthy, responsible, and resilient on a budget.

The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, 4th Edition is a comprehensive guide for homeowners, builders, and remodelers alike. With 25 chapters, 688 pages, and over 1,700 full-color illustrations, this book covers all aspects of home design and construction, including new chapters on solar power and best-practice insulating. The book also includes the latest code information and updated sections on framing, sheathing, air sealing, and heating and cooling. Written by Charlie Wing, an expert on home building and remodeling, this book is a must-have resource for anyone involved in the construction or renovation of a home.

Harvesting Rainwater for Your Homestead in 9 Days or Less by seksok is a complete stress-free blueprint to building an above-ground, dry rainwater harvesting system in just 9 days or less. With step-by-step illustrated instructions and the amazing 7-step QuickRain Blueprint, even beginners can easily collect pure, clean rainwater with minimal time, budget, and hassle. The book offers adaptable solutions for homesteaders of all backgrounds, as well as anyone looking to create a reliable backup water supply. This book is a must-read for those who want to unlock their family's independent, clean, and off-grid water source.

This book, titled "Sold Out Forever: 101 Items to Grab Before the U.S. Dollar Vanishes," provides readers with knowledge on how to thrive during an economic collapse. The book covers topics such as the foods to stockpile, the importance of hygiene and cleaning supplies, and self-defense gear to own. It also delves into ways to cook food and treat water when the grid goes down, and how to deal with waste and pests. The book is well-written and practical, making it a great resource for both beginners and advanced survivalists. Overall, this book is an eye-opener that provides wisdom and practical knowledge that can enhance anyone's survival skills.

Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook is a comprehensive guide to caring for everything in your home. With practical tips and personal anecdotes from Martha's decades of experience, this book covers everything from cleaning and maintaining appliances to organizing your home office. The book is organized by room and also includes a section on comfort and safety. The A-to-Z Materials Guide is an invaluable resource that explains unusual materials. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to keep their home looking its best without feeling overwhelmed.

The "Homesteading: A Backyard Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More" by Abigail R. Gehring is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in living the good, clean life. The book covers everything from growing your own food to generating your own energy, making soap, and hand lotion. The author provides valuable tips and tricks for city-dwellers and country lovers alike. The book is an excellent resource for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, save money, and eat homegrown food. Overall, it's a must-read for anyone interested in living a sustainable lifestyle.

A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?: An Introduction to Building Science provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the science behind residential buildings. This book debunks common myths and misconceptions about home building, remodeling, maintenance, and operation. It is a valuable resource for both professionals and homeowners, offering practical insights and expert advice. The book is a must-have for anyone interested in residential architecture and building science. It is well-written and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. Overall, it is an excellent addition to the field of residential architecture books.

Bigger Than Tiny, Smaller Than Average is a captivating study of small houses that demonstrates limited space doesn't mean compromised style. The book is filled with stunning color photos and lots of examples of small house options around the country, including ADUs. It compiles lots of previously difficult-to-find information in one place, making it a great resource for those interested in living more sustainably in a smaller house. Overall, the book provides endless inspiration to space-efficient and green homeowners, and it stands out from other residential architecture books due to its focus on sustainability and practicality.