dave1949
Super Star Member
If it appeals to you, passive solar with earth berms is about the cheapest heat you wll ever get. We are in our 6th year of living in our passive solar home with earth berms on three sides and have no regrets. We haven't used any heating so far this Fall and have had days in the 50's and hard frosts over night, even 24* a few mornings back. We usually start using our masonry fireplace sometime in November and burn less than one cord per year.
Under lessons learned, I would emphasize attic insulation, air exchangers, and don't under-estimate the possible need for AC for temperature and humidity control in the summer. The north bermed wall can be cool enough for condensation to form on its interior surface (down near the floor especially) in hot, humid weather; that cannot be allowed-- to avoid mildew and mold. So, you either circulate lots of air or dehumidify with AC. Also, thermal mass works in both directions, its temperature will slowly climb in prolonged hot weather and it does a good job of retaining/storing that heat, just like in winter. You may end up surrounded by 78* concrete even in "cool" summer areas like Maine.
Under lessons learned, I would emphasize attic insulation, air exchangers, and don't under-estimate the possible need for AC for temperature and humidity control in the summer. The north bermed wall can be cool enough for condensation to form on its interior surface (down near the floor especially) in hot, humid weather; that cannot be allowed-- to avoid mildew and mold. So, you either circulate lots of air or dehumidify with AC. Also, thermal mass works in both directions, its temperature will slowly climb in prolonged hot weather and it does a good job of retaining/storing that heat, just like in winter. You may end up surrounded by 78* concrete even in "cool" summer areas like Maine.