{"id":84464,"date":"2023-06-12T14:03:38","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T21:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=84464"},"modified":"2023-06-12T16:32:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T23:32:35","slug":"earthship-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/earthship-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Earthship Homes: What Are They and Are They Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the world grapples with reducing the effects of climate change, people are looking to their homes for solutions. Investing in renewable energy by using solar panels or wind turbines is one option. Another is lowering the total amount of energy you use by switching to efficient appliances and using less water. Yet another method is by starting a <\/span>home garden<\/span><\/a> and using a <\/span>living roof<\/span><\/a>. But what if you could accomplish all of this with one house? You can with an Earthship home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earthship homes redefine sustainable living by bringing it to your home. With an Earthship, your entire house is lowering your carbon footprint and helping pave the way toward a sustainable future. This home style uses renewable energy, indoor gardening, on-site water treatment, and passive heating and cooling to be as climate-neutral as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re in the market for a new <\/span>house in Wilmington, NC<\/span><\/a>, or are looking to build a new <\/span>home in Charleston, SC<\/span><\/a>, this Redfin article has everything you need to know about Earthship homes. Are they right for you? Read on to learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is an Earthship home?<\/span><\/h2>\n

An <\/span>Earthship home<\/span><\/a>, or Earthship, is a type of sustainable home that is entirely self-sufficient and designed to have a minimal to no environmental impact. These <\/span>unique homes<\/span><\/a> are typically built using natural and recycled materials, and are designed to use the natural resources of their environment to provide all human needs. These include: food, shelter, energy, clean water, garbage management, and sewage treatment. Earthship homes are intended to allow people to live completely free from municipal utilities, sometimes called \u201coff the grid.\u201d The most common type of Earthship is the <\/span>Global Model Earthship<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earthship homes can function in most places around the world. However, because of their design and environmental requirements, <\/span>Earthship homes aren\u2019t right for all climates<\/span><\/a>; they work best in seasonal, subarctic regions of the world. Tropical and bitterly cold areas are often not a good fit due to excess cost or overwhelming maintenance demands.<\/span><\/p>\n

History of Earthships<\/span><\/h2>\n

Earthship homes<\/span> were created by architect Michael Reynolds in the 1970s, around the time of the environmental movement and first <\/span>Earth Day<\/span><\/a>. Reynolds was concerned about the amount of trash in the environment and the lack of affordable housing, and wanted to create a solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earthship homes <\/span>promote <\/span>personal autonomy<\/span><\/a>, environmental responsibility, and affordability, aiming to provide sustainable housing for all. The first Earthship homes were built in New Mexico, and have undergone many design changes up to the present day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Principles of Earthship homes<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Earthship concept has <\/span>six design principles<\/span><\/a> that are focused on eliminating the home\u2019s environmental impact and promoting sustainable living.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Natural and recycled materials<\/span><\/h3>\n

Earthships are constructed using a variety of natural and recycled products. One of the most common materials is used car tires, which are packed with earth and then stacked to form strong, insulating walls. Other common materials include recycled cans, bottles, and reclaimed wood. This not only reduces the home\u2019s environmental impact, but also gives them a unique and recognizable appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Passive heating and cooling\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Earthships are designed to take advantage of natural climates to provide a comfortable indoor environment without traditional heating or cooling systems. Earthships have thick walls typically made from natural and recycled materials, providing <\/span>thermal mass<\/span><\/a> which naturally regulates the indoor temperature. The buildings are also often partially covered with soil or even built into the side of a hill, which further helps stabilize the home\u2019s temperature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Earthship houses are often oriented specifically to allow the sun to heat the interior during the winter, while using overhangs and other shading techniques to prevent overheating during the summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Solar and wind energy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most Earthships are usually equipped with <\/span>solar panels<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>wind turbines<\/span><\/a> to generate electricity, making them independent of the conventional power grid. The electricity is stored in a bank of batteries and then used as needed for lighting, appliances and other electrical requirements. Inside, most homes have efficient appliances and LED lighting to help to reduce electricity use.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Water harvesting<\/span><\/h3>\n

Earthships capture and store rainwater and snowmelt from their roofs, making them ideal for fairly wet climates. The water is filtered and used for drinking, cooking, and bathing. After being used once, the water becomes greywater and is reused for irrigation. The remaining water is then treated and used for flushing toilets. After this, it becomes blackwater, which is then treated and used for landscape irrigation.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. On-site sewage treatment<\/span><\/h3>\n

Instead of being connected to a municipal sewage system, Earthship homes treat their own waste water. Most homes accomplish this through a mix of <\/span>greywater<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>blackwater<\/span><\/a> systems. Greywater (water from sinks, showers, etc.) is typically filtered through indoor gardens and used to grow food. Blackwater (sewage) is usually treated in an anaerobic digester or a constructed wetland, with the goal of reusing it for landscaping.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Food production<\/span><\/h3>\n

A key part of Earthship architecture is self-sustaining food production. Earthship homes include internal greenhouses, which are used to grow a variety of plants, including fruits and vegetables. Greenhouses also aid in heating and greywater treatment. The combination of direct sunlight, greywater irrigation, and a controlled climate makes it possible to grow healthy food year-round. Some designs also incorporate outdoor garden spaces and even aquaponic systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pros and cons of Earthship homes<\/span><\/h2>\n

In theory, Earthship homes offer reduced environmental impact without sacrificing many modern amenities. However, there are important pros and cons to consider before building a new Earthship house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros<\/span><\/h3>\n