How to build Off-Grid Earthship Homes with TRASH

May 31, 2022

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4 min read

A suburban home has become an integral part of the American dream. Suburbs provide an increased quality of life, a sense of community and privacy that isn’t found in cramped urban areas. However, these homes are often constructed hastily and with low-quality materials, resulting in high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Introduction

Additionally, the dependence on public utilities cannot keep up with the growing demand, leading to potential issues like blackouts. To address these problems, we need better homes that are energy-efficient, minimize waste, and reduce our reliance on public utilities. Enter Earthship homes – off-grid structures designed to have a minimal negative impact on the environment. In this article, we will explore how Earthship homes work, their benefits and drawbacks, and their potential to revolutionize the construction industry.

The Earthship Concept

Earthships were conceptualized by architect Michael Reynolds, also known as the Garbage Warrior. He developed a low-cost housing solution using recycled materials to address the problems of waste and lack of affordable housing. Earthship Biotecture, as he calls it, is based on six principles: shelter, heating and cooling, power, water, sewage, and food production

Shelter using Recycled Materials: Earthship homes are constructed using old tires packed with local earth and pounded into stable building blocks. These load-bearing walls act as thermal batteries, storing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Non-load bearing walls are made from aluminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles, allowing for curved walls and unique features.

Passive Cooling and Heating: Earthships are designed for maximum solar exposure. In the northern hemisphere, large glass facades face south, while in the southern hemisphere, they face north. Greenhouses at the front of the house allow solar gain, while 30-foot metal tubes provide passive cooling by drawing warm air out when a skylight in the greenhouse is opened.

Producing Clean Energy: Earthships generate their power from solar panels and wind turbines, storing excess energy in batteries using charge controllers and inverters. This self-sufficient power system ensures continuous electricity supply even during the night.

Water Use and Management: Rainwater and melted snow are collected from the sloped metal roofs and stored in large cisterns behind the tire walls. A water organizing module purifies the collected rainwater for indoor use in sinks, showers, and bathtubs. Water is treated as a precious resource and used up to four times, promoting efficient water consumption.

Sustainable Sewage Management: Earthships treat wastewater differently, distinguishing between gray water (from sinks, showers, and baths) and black water (from toilets). Gray water is drained into linear planters, while black water is directed to outdoor anaerobic septic tanks. The treated water overflows into a botanical cell filled with exterior landscaping plants.

Food Production: Earthship homes incorporate interior and exterior botanical cells for year-round cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Some Earthships have dedicated greenhouses and coops for raising chickens and pigs, aiming for self-sufficiency in food production.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Earthship homes offer numerous advantages, such as increased awareness of surroundings, lower energy consumption, and a sustainable lifestyle. They reduce a building’s footprint on the environment and promote self-sufficiency. However, challenges exist, including reliance on manual labor, lack of standardized components, and difficulties in obtaining building permits and insurance. Reselling Earthships can also be challenging due to their unique design. Additionally, Earthships may not be suitable for cooler northern climates, as active heating systems may be required during winter months. Perhaps the most significant drawback is the time-consuming and labor-intensive nature of building an Earthship, which may deter potential homeowners.

Conclusion

While Earthship homes present an innovative approach to sustainable housing, integrating some of their concepts into existing homes may be a more practical solution. Building codes should encourage passive energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainable features in suburban homes. Earthship homes can inspire us to prioritize a building’s performance and environmental impact. Reducing our footprint on the environment should be a collective effort, integrating sustainable practices into our everyday lives.