In The Country . . . Let's further assume that, like many other people, you're concerned about the limited supplies of domestic oil and gas, the unpredictable cost, and the environmental price tag attached to the continued use of these fuels. The solution might lie in earth-sheltered housing. These structures offer many energy-efficient features and are often designed to use solar energy for heating and cooling.
Some designs make use of recycled materials in their construction.
If you do your homework, earth-sheltered construction can be an attractive and rewarding choice in housing. Once you've decided on an earth-sheltered house, the sections on Design , Construction Considerations , including location, climate, site, and soils, and Construction Materials can help you make the house a reality. Advantages There are many advantages to earth-sheltered construction. An earth-sheltered home is less susceptible to the impact of extreme outdoor air temperatures, so you won't feel the effects of adverse weather as much as in a conventional house. Temperatures inside the house are more stable than in conventional homes, and with less temperature variability, interior rooms seem more comfortable.