Earth-sheltered compromise home saves on heating, cooling costs

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · N.D. REC Mag.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5726133

Frankhauser, T

Building a home into the side of a hill to take advantage of the earth's temperature-neutralizing qualities and facing it to the south will reduce heating and cooling costs. A home in North Dakota based on these principles has never had two unheated rooms freeze and needs no air conditioning. Mutli-zoned thermostats are located in the south-facing rooms. Other features are a five-foot overhang, lower ceilings, aluminum foil deflectors beneath carpets and above the plasterboard in the ceiling, and extra insulation. By eliminating an earth covering that would require sturdier support, construction costs were competitive with regular frame construction.

• OSTI ID: 5726133
• Journal Information: N.D. REC Mag.; (United States), Vol. 31:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
EARTH BERMS
HOUSES
ECONOMICS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
NORTH DAKOTA
ORIENTATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL INSULATION
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
FEDERAL REGION VIII
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
USA
320101* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)