EarthshipA new way of building and living

The 6 Principles that define an Earthship:

Thermal/Solar Heating & CoolingSolar & Wind ElectricityContained Sewage TreatmentBuilding with Natural & Recycled Materials Water Harvesting Food Production

1) Thermal/Solar Heating & CoolingComfort: Earthships maintain comfortable temperatures in any climate.

2) Solar & Wind ElectricityEarthships harvest electricity from the sun, wind, generator

The Power Organizing Module (POM)

(3) Contained Sewage Treatment

Sewage: Earthships contain use and reuse all household sewage in indoor and outdoor treatment cells resulting in food production and landscaping with no pollution of aquifers ()

Solar Toilet

4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials Rammed-Earth encased in recycled rubber tires

Aluminum cans and Glass/ Plastic Bottles

5) Water Harvesting

Earthships catch water from the sky (rain & snow melt). Water is heated from the sun, biodiesel and/or natural gas. Earthships can have city water as backup. Earthships do not pollute underground water aquifers.

(6) Food Production

advantagesEnergy Efficiency --Earthships provide a large amount of thermal mass. This helps keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Self-Sustainability -- The homes are designed to take advantage of natural resources.

advantages"Buildability" --Earthships can be owner built. Easy Availability --Not only are tires easy to get, some places will pay you to take them away! There are plenty of tires, bottles and aluminum cans around.

DisadvantagesResellability - With any other alternative house building types, you might have a problem reselling a house that is "different" from the norm. Building Permits - As with all alternative building methods, you might run into some problems with local building codes.

DisadvantagesFinancing - Earthships are a very new concept in building design. Youu might have difficulty getting home loans.

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