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Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings, is one of the most useful energy-related publications to come along in some time. Author John Krigger of Saturn Resource Management in Helena, Montana, has done an excellent job showing how energy is used, saved and wasted in all types of residential buildings. The book should prove a valuable addition to any builder's reference library.

Surprisingly, the 272-page book's main value for builders may be that it was originally written for energy auditors and retrofitters, people who make their living finding and correcting building energy problems. (Krigger trains energy auditors. He needed an easy-to-understand text for one of his training courses. Since he couldn't find one he wrote it.) As anyone who has spent time renovating old buildings will tell you, knowing what other builders did wrong can help keep you from making some expensive mistakes of your own. The same goes for energy conservation. You'll build better energy-efficient new homes if you know the problems with existing ones.

Krigger starts with the basics of how energy is generated and how it moves through a building. He then looks at different types of structural systems, and assesses the energy weaknesses of each. He makes cost and efficiency comparisons between different types of windows, doors, HVAC equipment, insulation and lighting products. Each section contains information on cost-effectiveness--a tribute to the fact that Krigger has spent some time in the real world. Frequent cross-references to other parts of the book reinforce the idea that all parts of the house work together as a system. The book contains many tables, charts, formulas and clearly drawn technical illustrations that dissect every one of the home's structural and mechanical systems. It also offers clear explanations of cryptic energy terms like SEER, that will help you better sell efficient construction techniques to your clients. Residential Energy can be ordered from Saturn Resource Management.