2.  The Dome House: Follows the Geodesic Dome design of Bucky Fuller. Maximum volume for a minimum of material. Excellent heating and cooling abilities

8.   WATER HEATING SYSTEM WATER HEATING SYSTEM  A - SUN  B - CO-GENERATOR UNIT  D - THERMAL STORAGE TANK  M - SOLAR THERMAL PANELS  N - RECLAIMED-HOT-WATER TANK  O - DRINKABLE-WATER TANK  COOLING SYSTEM COOLING SYSTEM  C - RADIANT SOLAR FLOORS  D - THERMAL STORAGE TANK  E - SUPER INSULATED WALLS, FLOORS AND ROOF  F - SUPER EFFICIENT WINDOWS  G - IVY TRELLIS AND DECIDUOUS TREES  H - GROUND LOOP  I - SHADES 

9.  VENTILATION SYSTEM VENTILATION SYSTEM  J - HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR (HRV)  HEATING SYSTEM HEATING SYSTEM  A - SUN  B - CO-GENERATOR UNIT  C - RADIANT SOLAR FLOORS  D - THERMAL STORAGE TANK  E - SUPER INSULATED WALLS, FLOORS AND ROOF  F - SUPER EFFICIENT WINDOWS  G - IVY TRELLIS AND DECIDUOUS TREES  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM  B - CO-GENERATOR UNIT  K - SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS  L - BATTERIES

10.  O - DRINKABLE-HOT-WATER TANK Supplies kitchen and bathroom sinks.  P - EAVESTROUGHS Collect roof rainwater, which passes through filter screens and then to cistern.  R - RAINWATER CISTERN 20,000 litres (normally sufficient for 6 months consumption).  S - COMBINATION FILTER The rainwater passes through a combination roughing, slow sand, and carbon filter, and then through an ultraviolet light disinfection unit before being stored for drinking.  T - DRINKABLE-COLD-WATER TANK Supplies kitchen and bathroom sinks; overflow to reclaimed-cold- water tank.

11. DRINKABLE-WATER SYSTEM  P - EAVESTROUGHS  R - RAINWATER CISTERN  S - COMBINATION FILTER  T - DRINKABLE-COLD-WATER TANK  O - DRINKABLE-HOT-WATER TANK  WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT  E - GREY WATER HEAT EXCHANGER  N - RECLAIMED-HOT-WATER TANK  U - SEPTIC TANK  V - RECIRCULATION TANK  W - WATERLOO BIOFILTER ™  X - TWIN COMBINATION FILTERS  Y - RECLAIMED-COLD-WATER TANK  Z - GARDEN IRRIGATION 

12. Straw Bale Houses Earth Berms Sand Bag Houses

13.  Passive Solar design Necessities such as light and heat are provided free by nature rather than artificially from electricity or fossil fuels. Skylights and southern Exposure provide daytime light. Passive Solar design  Thermal Mass One of a home's main purpose is to provide shelter from the elements. Inside climate must be kept comfortable when when outside climate is not. Standard building practices accomplish this at a high energy a nd building cost. Earthships use natural phenomenon and ingenuitive design to provide comfortable living efficiently. Thermal Mass is used to store heat and regulate temperature for the living area. Tires filled with dirt and bermed walls help create a natural barrier from the elements. Thermal Mass  Renewable Energy People have been successfully living "Off the Grid" without giving up modern conveniences. One way to do this is with renewable energy. Solar Panels and/or wind generators (and energy efficient living) ca n provide ample energy. Renewable Energy

14.  Greywater Earthships "recycle" waste water that goes down our drains and tubs by directing it to planters and gardens. Plants love wastewater and thrive off it. Often these planters can be indoors also benefiting form t he passive solar deign. These indoor plants can provide food for the inhabitants making Earthships very self sufficient. Blackwater or toilet water has to be dealt with a little differently. It can either be composted through composting toilets or bur nt to dust by a solar toilet. (Very similar to a solar oven) This benefits all by not creating more toxic sewage and creating a garden with little extra effort. Greywater  Catchwater Water purity is very questionable these days so the natural solution is to get your own source. Earthship roofs catch water when it rains and store it for later use in a cistern. With a rainfall of more tha n 10 inches per year, this is a viable option. This, along with the other self-sufficient systems, eliminates the need to have utilities brought to your property. Catchwater

16.  a 20-30 year maintenance free exterior  an estimated annual heating bill of less than $100 per year & no cooling required  a commercial fire rating of 2 hours & lighting costs of 50% less  a timber-reduced design & use of recycled materials where feasible  high efficiency plumbing, heater, furnace & lighting  75% less water in xeriscaping & a high hail & radon resistance  a 5-Star Energy Rated Home designation  exceeded the standards of the Green Builder Program

23.  "Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow"

32.   Click on image to enlarge 

33. Click on image to enlarge

42.  This creates very strong load- bearing walls that help create the thermal mass to help keep the inside of an Earthship a comfortable 60- 70 degrees without the use of other heating and cooling throughout the seasons.

49.  The can wall system is very versatile for building structures. When covered, it creates beautiful adobe like surfaces

54.  Solar  Wind  Geothermal  Tidal

57.  Photovoltaic Cells can convert sunlight directly into electricity

59. Cold air is drawn from the home through a grille located near the floor. It is near the floor since that is where the air is the coldest. Hollow wall spaces are used as part of the cold air duct system and usually the only visible part of the cold air ducting is the small grille. Virtual Solar Home Heating Workshop from AAA Solar

62.  GeoExchange systems can also provide all or part of a household’s hot water. This can be highly economical, especially if the home already has a GeoExchange system, hence a ground loop, in place.

64.  Average Daily Solar Radiation, 1961-1990 Energy from the sun on a surface directly facing the sun.   Thanks to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory!  ©1995 - 2002 Home Power magazine. All rights reserved.

68. Body Shop Reuse Tank and Ultraviolet Sterilization Body Shop Reuse Aquarium