By Mark J. Donovan
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When considering
going green on your next home purchase or custom home building project, consider
an Earth Home.
An earth home is a
highly energy efficient home. It is typically covered by three sides, and its
roof, with several feet of soil and concrete. It typically has one open side
that faces the south or southwest to maximize passive solar heating. |
| One of the major
reasons an earth home is extremely energy efficient is that it is encased in the
earth which has typically has a constant temperature of around 55 degrees
Fahrenheit. In addition, when building an earth home, the home is typically
encased with rigid insulation and waterproofing on the outside concrete walls
before they are backfilled with soil/earth. Another reason earth homes are so
environmentally friendly is that they are typically small in square footage. |
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In addition,
they usually have few windows, except for the open side. Consequently their
heating/air conditioning requirements are minimal.
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Though the lack of
square footage and windows could initially be considered a turn off by many,
with proper architectural considerations, such as creating large open areas and
using interior lighting intelligently, an earth home can be designed to feel
large and bright. In addition, the open side, facing south can be designed as a
wall of windows to maximize solar heat and sunlight.
Another major cost
savings with earth homes is the low cost of home insurance. Earth homes are less
susceptible to wind damage, hail damage, theft and fire. |
So if
you are thinking of building a green home, research the idea of an Earth Home.
You may be surprised on how roomy and contemporary an earth home can be.
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
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builders. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you
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