Dig in and Choose an Earth-Sheltered Home

When people hear the words "earth-sheltered home," they often envision a dark, damp cave. However, today's technology allows homeowners to built light and airy homes that are surrounded by earth on one, two, or three sides. There are some substantial advantages in building an earth-sheltered home.

Energy Efficiency: Earth-sheltered homes take advantage of the constant temperature of the ground so that they remain comfortable year-round. Heating and air conditioning costs will be 75% to 80% cheaper than in a conventional house. You also won't need to worry about pipes freezing in cold weather, so there's no need to run the heat when you are not home.

Lower Maintenance: Most earth-sheltered homes are built from a dome of concrete that provides seamless protection from the elements. This type of home will have far less dust than typical homes so it requires less cleaning. Bugs are unlikely, so you do not need to worry about spraying with pesticides. Termites and carpenter ants are not an issue. You will never have to replace roofs or maintain gutters. Because they are constructed from concrete, earth-sheltered homes are also extremely durable and long-lasting.

Safety: Earth-sheltered homes are constructed from durable concrete and often are reinforced with steel. They are naturally safe from fires, allowing you to have lower home insurance premiums. The design also allows them to resist tornados, earthquakes, high winds, freezing temperatures, and other natural disasters.

Light: Many people worry that earth-sheltered homes will be dark and feel claustrophobic, however, properly built homes will avoid these problems with tall ceilings (as high as 12 feet), skylights and large windows. Earth-sheltered homes can be built with as many as three outside walls exposed, allowing plenty of natural light into the home. The domed roof that is typical in many houses also gives the house a spacious, open feeling and reflects a lot of light.

Dampness: Many people worry that earth-sheltered homes will feel damp inside, but today's technology allows them to be well-ventilated. The domed ceiling design common to many homes also promotes air circulation and discourages excessive humidity. The house's walls are carefully insulated to prevent the kind of dampness common in basements.

Going Green: Earth-sheltered homes have lower life-cycle costs that conventional houses and a lower ecological footprint. The earthen roof, covered with plants, helps to "green" the house's footprint and improve the local air and water quality. Not only do they save on energy costs, but earth-sheltered homes save trees since they use no wood.