Earth Bag in Cold Climate

Sarah Houlihan

pollinator

Posts: 131

Location: Central Maine

I like...

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I am looking into building an earthbag home in the middle/western Maine. My plan was to earthberm/ bury the house underground. My question would be, if doing something like this, how much R-value would I really need? Or should I just not do this for some other reason?

homestead houligan: one who lives on any homestead and tends to break the "rules" or practices of a traditional homestead. ex:using practices such as permaculture on a homestead. homesteadhouligan.com

mike wood

Posts: 15

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm in NB to your east.
With a 36" soil depth, typically I can expect an average soil temp of 59°F.
From 0-3', you get 90%+ of the potential r-value from the soil.
Anything deeper is not necessary: see law of diminishing returns.

Note to self: don't get into a fist fight with a cactus. Command this tiny ad to do it:

Learn Permaculture through a little hard work

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp