Specifications: 846 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 36′ x 48′ not including cisterns
Description: Zero Energy One is a major step forward in sustainable housing. This revolutionary design features zero net energy use, extremely low ‘near zero’ embodied energy and extremely low cost of around $10/square foot (cost of shell, excluding energy systems). This design is the result of years of research in energy efficiency and low cost, alternative building methods.
In contrast, most zero energy homes are in the $1/4 million range, and utilize complex and expensive technologies that are unaffordable to the vast majority. In my opinion, these homes are not truly sustainable due to their size, cost, use of high embodied energy materials and complexity.
Zero net energy use: Optimized passive solar design, balanced superinsulation/thermal mass, earth sheltering, PV panels, solar hot water, airlock entries, wood stove with water jacket runs hot water through built-in bench and bed, solar wall oven, cool pantry, roofwater catchment, energy-efficient appliances, indoor herb and flower garden, optional composting toilet and greywater recycling.
Near zero embodied energy construction: Earthbag construction using recycled grain bags and other recycled materials, earth, gravel, scoria, earthen floors, earthen interior plaster, lime exterior plaster, pallet wood trusses (non-code building areas, otherwise factory trusses), rice hull roof insulation, recycled content metal roofing.
Ultra-low cost: Earthbag construction, recycled and locally obtained non-toxic natural materials, owner-builder friendly, low tech solutions.
Shown with optional Survival Shelter and concealed entry.
Optional living wall on exterior of south wall. Details coming soon.
[…] Owen Geiger is well known for his work with earthbag homes. If you’re not yet familiar with his work, his websites are definitely worth spending some time visiting. The house pictured below is a design for a simple low cost home Owen estimates would cost about $10 per square foot to build (shell only). At 846 square feet it’s quite a bit larger than most of the homes I post here but was such a good example of sustainable architecture I had to share it with you. The real accomplishment of this design is that it is expected to be a virtually zero impact home. Read more about this design at Earthbag Plans. […]
[…] here: Zero Energy One « Earthbag House Plans Share and […]
For me, the floor plan is cut off in the top, not allowing me to see the circular structure in the top. Was this intentional?
Is there more information about how the various systems work?
The optional survival shelter is cut off to better fit the limited space on this blog. Follow the link that’s provided to view the survival shelter (sold separately).
All Zero Energy One systems are low tech, well documented systems, so you can find info through Google. Here’s one link on how to build pallet trusses: http://www.builderswithoutborders.org/PUBLICATIONS/pub35.htm
Here’s a list of links to save people some time and effort.
Zero Energy One
– Earthbag construction: http://www.earthbagbuilding.com, http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/
– Rice hulls for ceiling insulation: http://www.thelaststraw.org/backissues/articles/Rice%20Hull%20House.pdf
– Shallow frost-protected foundations: http://www.grisb.org/publications/pub26.pdf
– Earthbag foundations: http://sustainablehousing.blogspot.com/2005/11/earthbag-foundations.html
– Cool pantries: http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/QandA/storefood/pantry.htm
– Tamped earth floors: http://www.grisb.org/publications/pub11.htm
– Earthen plaster: http://www.thelaststraw.org/bonus-articles/earthplaster.html
– Water jacket for wood stoves: http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/W/AE_water_jacket.html, http://scottks.vox.com/library/photo/6a00c2251d78b48fdb00cd9786f18ff9cc.html
– Solar water heaters: http://www.harpiris.com/, http://www.solarroofs.com, http://www.siliconsolar.com/40-Gallon-Thermosyphon-Solar-Hot-Water-System-p-18039.html
– How to build low cost solar water heaters: http://solarcooking.org/bkerr/SWHeaterRev-1d.pdf, http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/NZWaterHeater97_shw.pdf, http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/CopperAlumCollector/CopperAlumCol.htm, http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Thermal-Water-Heater-For-Less-Than-Five-Doll/,
– Solar wall ovens: http://solarcooking.org/walloven.htm
– Passive solar design: http://www.nmsea.org/Passive_Solar/Passive_Solar_Design.htm
– Small-scale wind generators: http://www.absak.com/basic/wind-power.html
– Energy-efficiency upgrades: http://www.grisb.org/publications/pub4.doc
– Small diameter wood: http://www.grisb.org/publications/pub2.htm
– Pallet trusses: http://www.builderswithoutborders.org/PUBLICATIONS/pub35.htm
– Free firewood – pallets, construction scraps, wood from tree trimmers, coppicing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coppicing
– Watson wick: http://www.oasisdesign.net/compostingtoilets/watsonwick.htm
Thank you! There is a lot of good information here, and I’ll be readding it as I can.
I realize it may go against the ‘small, slow and simple’ mentality that keeps prices and ecological footprint down, but have you ever considered (or tried using) an earth compactor:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200325307_200325307?cm_sp=Xsells-_-Manual-_-Product%20Page
It seems that the most labor intensive part of earthbagging is in the tamping (I admit that i have not yet started my project so this is an assumption). It may be that this single large investment could disproportionately reduces time spent building/(wear and tear on the body). Of course after the month spent building, the used compactor could be sold to recoup a large part of the investment (of course buying used in the first place helps and ‘community’ investment for many structures helps too).
Any ideas on this Owen?
I love tools, and I’m all for making the job easier, but this particular machine won’t work on earthbag walls. You may be able to control it on the first few rows. But up higher it would be too awkward. Plus, quality control would be horrible. And it would probably be even more awkward on domes because the courses are cantilevered.
Our Earthbag Blog covers lots of labor saving techniques, tools and machines. For instance, click on the Tools category to read all posts on this subject: http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/
Instead of buying this machine (which would work great on tamped earth floors, by the way), here are some of the big labor steps I would focus on: build small, keep it simple, get fill material delivered by truck instead of digging it, use scoria versus soil if appropriate, use a sprayer to put on plaster.
I love the design. I’m wondering if you might be doing more in this line, and possibly one that added just one other room for either office or extra bedroom? For a family of four or so, it might be a nice addition and I would be super interested.
I’m working on exactly this same idea with a client right now. They want another bedroom with private bath and walk-in closet on the west. The bedroom door would be in the kitchen near the front wall. This would consolidate all plumbing. One cistern will be moved out of the way. There will probably be a private entrance with airlock similar to the other bedroom. You can order now for $200 extra or wait for a stock plan to be made available.
Kind of what I was thinking as a feasible alteration.
Thanks for all the work that you do. It’s wonderful that you’re helping people achieve their dreams of house ownership while at the same time making it environmentally friendly. It’s to be commended.
I look forward to “Zero Two.” 🙂
Thanks. Zero Energy Two is almost finished. It will feature two bedrooms, two baths.
I like your site, nice 😀
Does anybody know where I can find more of this type of information? Very good post, but I’d like to learn more. Thanks anybody…
Glad to hear you’re interested. Did you follow the list of links in the Comments section? (Look below the post.)
Also, there’s a little more info on our Earthbag Blog: http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/zero-energy-housing/
I realize a certain amount of internal volume is needed for reasonable thermal mass and solar gain. Is it at all possible to design with such principles at roughly half the square footage?
Certainly. You can change the size. The key is to strike the right balance between solar gain and thermal mass.
Amazing collection of resources. Thanks for being so generous with your info.
When determining solar gain and thermal mass ratio, does a bigger house mean less solar gain is needed relative to thermal mass?
Thanks. Glad you like the site. As far as solar gain/thermal mass, it depends on how (which way) you add on. An addition on the north will be less effective than an addition along the south wall. Refer to the difference between Zero Energy One and Zero Energy Two.
Great ideas, I think these would be quite popular here is Austin Tx
nice post, great idea. earth bags he we come
Would it be possible to put a second floor sleeping loft on this Zero Energy 1?
The home will be built in Idaho, if that changes the solar panel angles.
Yes, a loft will work in the front portion. Just be sure to add sufficient roof insulation.
Would the loft be able to have south windows?
How does Zero Energy 1 compare in energy efficiency to a 2-story round house? Do both have capabilities for solar panels, radiant floor heat, greywater, and cold pantry?
You would have to build dormers. It’s more work, but it would be worth it. This will change the look.
You can add these features to any house, actually. So focus on the layout and over all look and feel of the home.
Roundhouses are easier to build, that’s for sure. No post and beam frame needed unless you’re in a code area.
We have lots of views and would like to maximize (and splurge) on lots of windows. Would either plan accommodate that? I saw that colored glass blocks had been added to one home. When in this process is it best to have you make plan modifications?
Thank you for making and caring for these interactive sites!
Thanks. The short answer is yes. Almost anything is possible. It’s not difficult to make small changes if you stick to the basic plan (don’t move the main walls, etc. Adding a few extra windows or glass block is trivial.
You can select a custom plan on checkout at DreamGreenHomes.com. (custom fee form at PayPal http://dreamgreenhomes.com/store/store.htm)
We’ll have to agree on the fee beforehand. My standard fee for small changes is $100 extra. But email first so we can make a list of everything you want.
strawhouses [AT] yahoo.com