Cast off your inhibitions and take the helm of your very own Earthship

In last week's "Tip" we examined the Solar-hydrogen power generating system. As you'll remember, that alternative energy system worked by converting the sun's rays into electricity. The resulting electricity was then used to power an electrolysis machine, which separated water into its common elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen. The hydrogen was collected and used to power appliances and vehicles.

In general, alternative power systems can be divided into two classes, active and passive. Solar-hydrogen power is an example of an active alternative power system.

Conversely, this week's topic, earthships, represent passive alternative power systems.

Just exactly what is an "Earthship" and why should I care?

"Earthships" are the name for the independent living structures utilizing passive solar design and recycled materials developed by Michael Reynolds of Solar Survival Architecture. While not exclusively reliant on "natural" materials, earthships replace some conventional materials with recycled trash, which is found scattered all over the planet.

Earthships are a system rather than a technique: typically, earthships are dug into south facing hillsides; soil-filled tires are then stacked like giant bricks to form side and interior walls providing a source of thermal mass. Old bottles and cans are used to create a variety of detail features and to fill in gaps between tires. The building is framed in wood on the south side and roofed with metal to collect rainwater. Other systems include integrated wastewater treatment, photovoltaic electrical systems, solar hot water and passive solar heating.

Advantages of the system include self-sufficiency in all aspects, the use of recycled materials and local soil, and technical and aesthetic sophistication. Disadvantages include the complexity of building such a structure and the amount of labor required which makes it out of reach for many owner-builders.

The earthship concept has become a well-known and popular building system, especially in northern New Mexico. Several earthship communities have been built, and the system has received widespread media attention.

Other builders have used the stacked tire concept to build houses, which don't contain all of the systems of Reynolds's designs.

Definition courtesy:

http://www.strawbalecentral.com/techniques3.html

You can also watch this informative Weather Channel Youtube Video about Earthships, the building technique and independent living lifestyle developed by Michael Reynolds here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TbxhpG-Y4Q

Also, The Greater World Community - http://directory.ic.org/records/?action=view&page=view&record_id=2553 is an alternative housing development in Taos, N.M. that is comprised entirely of earthships. The Greater World became a legal subdivision in 1998, and is now phasing its development so that building can continue in certain sections of the development. The project was designed to create an ideal condition from which a sustainable community can grow and flourish. This whole community produces their own energy, harvests their own water, contains and treats their own sewage, manufactures bio-diesel, and grows a great deal of their own food. The buildings also heat and cool themselves all the while utilizing the discarded materials of our society. This community is a great example of a non-destructive existence that removes stress from the lives of people and the planet.

So, when you stop and think about it, earthships really isn't a new shelter concept at all. After all, why do you think we dubbed the earth's first human inhabitants "Cavemen?" Our ancestors quickly discovered that, in order to protect themselves from their harsh environment, that there was no better place than a cave.

Caves provided cavemen safe shelter within a controlled environment. And today, a well-designed, well built earthship can perform all those same functions, and more, for those of us who embrace this philosophy now.

I have met the enemy and he is I!

Zero energy bills, recycled building materials and self-sufficiency -- Earthships are good for our environment and available now. So, it would be entirely reasonable to assume that this lifestyle would be appealing to the masses. After all, wouldn't you covet the opportunity to be in a position to give the finger to your power company?

Not so fast! The fact of the matter is that most people are slow to embrace the concept of using discarded tires and other discarded trash as valuable building materials. And to compound the situation further, those of us wanting to build and sail in earthships find ourselves up against a formidable mountain range of obsolete dogma inhabited by building code officials and loan officers from a different world.

Buildings codes and lending institutions basically control the type of housing that is available or possible. This is because building permits and financing must be obtained prior to building. Most new or different concept have to be rigorously proven to the building code officials as officials are not being paid to take risks on new ideas. They are being paid to enforce existing code. Consequently, they tend to go by the book regardless of environmental or human issues to make sure they don't loose their jobs.

To further complicate the matter, the lending institutions do not necessarily accept any approvals of new ideas by the building code officials anyway. Their objective is to secure the resale value of the dwelling to cover themselves in case of default by the borrower. Consequently hey stick to things that have proven to re-sell over the years regardless of whether they are appropriate for the planet or for the people.

Earthship biotecture has been developing sustainable design and construction for over 30 years in Northern New Mexico, USA - with the New Mexico building department. They have both allowed and seen the value in the evolution of earthships. They have challenged the weak points and encouraged the strong points of the earthship concept. New Mexico with its progressive building codes has set the example for other states to follow.

Here's some food for thought if you're intrigued by the thought of sailing your own earthship:

Potential Advantages

· Having an earth-bermed home with windows facing the sun is a good idea in any climate where heating is required.

· Collecting rainwater that falls on the roof reduces the runoff impact of the building and may reduce water and even sewer service fees.

· Having a combination of photovoltaic cells and wind generation is a prudent way to provide electricity in many situations.

· Using curved modules as horizontal arches to resist earth loads is a sound structural design.

· On site processing of runoff water, grey water and black water using plant beds reduces the environmental impact of the building.

· Rubber tires make a wind and puncture resistant wall. They may be safe from outgassing when plastered semi airtight.

· Rubber tires are usually free and it may be possible to be paid to take them.

Potential Disadvantages

· The sloped glazing may be hard to keep watertight and in warm climates allows excessive solar gain in summer. In colder climates, the glazing itself, which has far poorer insulating properties than any other component, will obviously be the major conduit of heat loss in winter. New designs call for vertical windows with an overhang.

· Uninsulated ground-coupled thermal mass presents a large potential for heat loss, especially in climates with a heating season. This varies to a degree with soil type and moisture content.

· Rubber tire walls tend to lack structural stiffness and may require perpendicular stiffening ribs.

· The novel design may diminish resale value or make buyers more difficult to find.

· The intimate ground contact inherent in this approach may increase hazards due to soil gases including Radon, and those due to water intrusion.

· Packing or ramming dirt into the inside of tires is a very labor intensive process.

· Many Earthship builders are drawn to this system by its apparently low environmental impact. However, this is only valid if the design is highly thermally efficient. Earthship designs may require substantial thermal analysis and redesign to be adapted to non-Southwest USA climates.

· Free or cheap tires would not be available in a society which managed its resources sustainably --- they would have an economic value. The most sustainable material is presumably stone.

Finally, if you are still skeptical about earthship biotecture, please visit these websites:

· https://dennisweaver.com/earthshipforsale.html

· http://www.genrefluent.com/earthshi.htm

Doing so might make you a true believer.

Respectfully,

Bruce Hosking and the rest of the "Gang" @

BoomerBikerOnline.com

2174 Nursery Road, Suite 110

Clearwater, Fl. 33764

USA

727-729-4270

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