Yes, I want to live in an off-grid home with a weird name because the concept is brilliant! Here’s why.
Earthships – 100% sustainable homes that are super affordable to build because it is made from recycled materials. To some, sustainable mean primitive but it’s not. In this case, it means modern. When people hear about sustainable off-grid living, they usually picture primitive, rustic homes. But these homes look much more artistic and sleek than other forms of sustainable living.
Free Food – Each Earthship is built with a greenhouse which will grow food year round and you can build ponds to raise fish indoors.
Recycled Water – Earthships have a rain-harvesting system on the roof of the structure that funnels rain water to a cistern. The water is used 4 times, as follows:
- The water is pumped to sinks and showers,
- Then the ‘grey water’ from the sinks and showers is pumped to the greenhouse to water the plants,
- Then after being cleaned by the plants, the water is pumped into the bathrooms for use in the toilets, and
- Finally, the ‘black water’ is flushed outside to water the lawn.
Here is an illustration of how the home functions.
Warmth & Shelter – One of the most amazing things about the Earthship is the ability to maintain heat year-round. Even in freezing temperatures or blistering heat, the Earthship constantly stay around 70° Fahrenheit (22° Celsius). Solar heat is absorbed and stored in dirt filled tires which make up the structure of the Earthship. The large greenhouse windows face south to allow the sun to heat up the interior throughout the day. So when the interior cools down at night the thermal mass releases the heat into home.
Solar Energy & Wind Power – Solar panels and wind turbines provide the Earthship with all of the energy it needs year round.
Freedom From Utility Bills – The cost to maintain the home is $100-$300 annually, this home does NOT have utility bills, I repeat, NO monthly utility bills. That’s music to my ears and money in my pocket. I love it just for that reason alone.
Cheap To Build– Earthships are a lot cheaper than conventional houses. The Simple Survival model is the most basic Earthship that cost about $7000.
The most glamorous models cost as much as $300,000 and up to build depending on your style. The way I see it, it makes sense to build this home than a traditional home. That’s a dang good reason for me to build an Earthship, $7,000. I could always add-on in the future.
Made Of Recycled Materials – A good portion of the Earthship is built with recycled materials like used tires filled with dirt.
Tires are abundant and some businesses will pay you to take away the tires or they will just give them to you. There’s no shortage of tires. This awful looking reef in Ft. Lauderdale’s (Disastrous Underwater Tire Reef) is proof.
The other recycled materials are plastic and glass bottles. They are in the walls (above the tires) mixed in with concrete. The bottles are a form of rebar.
When you have the time, check out the Documentary, Garbage Warrior. It shows Michael Reynolds struggles and achievements to build this self-sustainable home.
During my visit to Earthship Biotecture, I realized that building an Earthship is within my reach. Join me on my journey to build an Earthship. It should be interesting.
~Afrovivalist
To Prepare = Peace of Mind
Find Your Peace!
Earthship
I join you in your desires and efforts towards sustainable, vibrant, and liberated living! Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for your support. I hope your journey to preparedness is or has been a smooth one. If there is anything that you want to see posted, please let me know and I will do my best to post your requests.
~Afrovivalist
I suppose, if it had been smooth… i’d be less prepared (LOL). Thanks, again.
Stick with it.
I am also an AA female prepper. I also want an earthship. I’ll take an earthbag, strawbale, or earth sheltered home as well. Am also looking for acreage to expand. I fully believe in being prepared. I am looking for others like myself. Unfortunately, I’m married to an AA male who has no interest in my skills or desires to be better prepared. I’d love to be able to be in contact with others like myself just for a conversation on the subject. I admire your tenacity and skill. Keep up the good work.
Good Afternoon Chris! I hope you enjoyed your Holiday. I love that you like Earthships. You should think about traveling to the Greater World Community in New Mexico. Every year, a group of us from the Pacific Northwest encourage others to visit and stay at this Earthship community. We tour the homes, attend classes along with other activities. Check out my Facebook page called Earthship Oregon. There you will find more information on the 2017 trip.
You know, I am not surprised to read that your husband has no interest in preparing, it is a shame, but that’s the way it is among the African American community. I have found that if I introduce an activity, like archery, fishing, something manly, men become interested. If you have an preparedness activity, it may help him understand that what you are doing is beyond preparing, it is surviving. All in all, we both know that he will come around, when something happens. Then he will be thankful and happy that you have been preparing. That’s when he will understand wholeheartedly and share in your interest.
Thank you so very much for reaching out to me. No matter what anyone says, do what is in your heart. Everyone else will get it in time but it may be too late for them. At least you’ll have something to start with. Stay positive, productive and prepared. Please keep in touch.
~Afrovivalist
You are 100% correct, Afrovivalist! I greatly admire you (& those brothers/sisters of the same mindset). Continue in your work & know that there are others of your mindset out here also engaged in working to live a simple, sustainable lifestyle ( you are not alone, we hear you, & we love what you’re about)! Stay encouraged, Brothers & Sisters.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your encouragement and support. It has been an overwhelmingly scary journey to put my lifestyle on blast, but, it makes me feel good to know that it is helpful and effective. Thank you so very much. Stay positive, productive and be prepared.
~Afrovivalist
Incredible house. Love it.
Isn’t it! I love it too.
I’m in Portland and also extremely interested in Earthships and other alternative architecture as mentioned by Chris Butler above (straw bale, earthbag, etc.). Do you have any plans to hold a build party?
Hey there Dan!
No parties are planned yet. But, if all goes well, I will host an Earthship Biotecture Academy build July/August 2018. Check back here for updates.
Hi – Originally heard about you in the article ” Ready for Anything “. I’ve read most of the information on your sites. Very interested in your future plans on building community of Earthships. I’m a retired carpenter, looking forward to the seminar in July/August 2018.
Fantastic! I look forward to meeting you. Thank you so very much for your support. There are exciting things happening. I will do my best to keep everyone informed so please stay in touch.
~Afrovivalist
Hey there, Jack!
Obviously, you know by now that the seminar did not take place. We have been working on the planning to start a small build sometime next year. To stay up-to-date, you can also go to the Earthship Pacific NW Facebook page. We have not posted recently but that would be the place to stay in touch with the Earth home build. Thank you so very much for your interest in Afrovivalist. I truly appreciate your support.
Be Well.