Entrance to an Earthship.
Tony and I visited the Greater World Earthship Community in Taos, NM. (Check it out at Earthship.net!) Earthships are present in every state in the united states. They are totally self contained and do not require utilities of any sort.
Windows utilizing solar energy.
Earthships utilize passive solar heating via the massive windows that line the south facing side of the building and a north face earth berm. Passive cooling is achieved through strategic ventilation in addition to the berm which uses the earth's soil for temperature regulation. They claim that in any climate these methods are able to maintain the house's temperature at 70F year round. You can imagine that being from Minnesota we are skeptical..what? no $400 heating bill???? But they insist...wow imagine this world!
Earthships are made with old tires, bottles and aluminum cans.
Earthships are made from earth packed into old tires and other recycled materials. The house's water is fully provided by a rain catchment and filtration system. Additionally the water is recycled 4 times: drinking water -> plant water (there is a green house planted along the south facing windows within the house) -> water to flush with-> yard watering (each after appropriate filtration, all filters within the houses system) Also, all energy comes from solar and wind power.
SO COOL!!!
Grand Earthship plan.
I want one!
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