With all the news of huge glaciers melting, forthcoming drought and spreading of diseases due to global warming, you may well feel overwhelmed with it all. Do you simply want to escape the many dire circumstances, hole up and live underground?
In all seriousness, living, at least partially, underground in an earth-sheltered home can be a viable answer where you are doing your part towards fighting against climate change. Such homes can be constructed in two different manners: bermed or underground. Bermed homes are often built above or partially below grade and use outside earth for walls, roofing and insulation. Such homes are commonly constructed in the side of hills. An underground home, as one might imagine, is built partially or completely below grade. A flat site is chosen and the home is often constructed to enclose a central outdoor courtyard. Large outside windows allow for sunlight to enter the home providing both light and heat.
As with any standard home, both bermed and underground homes have their advantages and disadvantages. These home owners will find their indoor home temperatures remaining more constant and won’t have to regularly adjust a thermostat. Interior rooms, specifically, will remain more comfortable for inhabitants – either cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter. Less outside maintenance is also required and such properties are more soundproof and better blend in with the natural surroundings. You may be out for a hike and stumble across an earth-sheltered home before you even realize it is there!
On the other side of this coin, earth-sheltered homes, typically, require more initial financial outlay to construct than standard models. Providing ongoing protection from moisture and humidity must be forefront in such homeowner’s minds as well.
Depending on your lifestyle, an earth-sheltered home may be just the ticket for you.
