“The Carbon-Free Home” is one of many books with tips to help you maximize your energy savings.

As you prepare for a new, even more energy-efficient year, read over our quick list of books that can help get you there. Check out the material below and let these handy guides help you with your upgrades all year long.

1. “The Carbon-Free Home” by Stephen and Rebekah Hren. A well-thought out explanation of how to make your house carbon-free from people who have done it. Includes thirty-six projects and a description of project length, cost, energy saved, and skills you need.
2. “Save Energy Save Money!: 201 Do-It-Yourself Projects Tips, and Ideas” by Family Handyman. Includes images and visual aids.
3. “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: Save Money, Save the Earth” by Jennifer Thorne Amann, Alex Wilson, Katie Ackerly. A guide to help users zero-in on the most useful improvements for their homes.
4. “The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart” (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) by Paul Scheckel.
5. “Insulate and Weatherize: Expert Advice from Start to Finish” by Bruce Harley. Online preview available.
6. “Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs” by Consumer Reports. Offers information and step-by-step photos to help with home improvements.
7. “The Low Carbon Diet; A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds” by David Gershon. We wrote about this workbook in an earlier post, and it remains a great guide to saving energy and cutting carbon emissions.

• Online energy saving tips: Residential Energy Efficiency Pages
• Online guide to getting the job done: Home Improvement with Energy Star.