Can Green Building Certifications Apply to Earth Shelters?

Earth Sheltered Homes and Green Building Certifications

Earth sheltered homes, built into hillsides or with earth berms, can be designed to meet green building certification standards. The key is to focus on the building envelope, insulation, and energy efficiency rather than the physical location of the home. For example, the Passive House standard, which requires a building to be highly energy efficient, can be applied to earth sheltered homes by optimizing the building envelope and utilizing radiant barrier materials.

Specific Requirements for Earth Sheltered Homes

When applying for green building certifications, earth sheltered homes may require unique considerations. For instance, the International Code Council (ICC) 700-2015 standard for residential construction in earthquake hazard areas may need to be adapted to accommodate the earth sheltered design. Additionally, the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program may require specialized documentation to verify energy efficiency and other green building features. Earth sheltered homes can also utilize techniques such as earth tubes and heat recovery ventilation to enhance indoor air quality and reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling.

Case Study: The Earthship Home

The Earthship Home, developed by architect Michael Reynolds, is a type of earth sheltered home that can be designed to meet green building certification standards. These homes are built using recycled materials, such as tires and cans, and are designed to be highly energy efficient. By utilizing techniques such as thermal mass and passive solar design, Earthship Homes can significantly reduce their energy consumption and meet the requirements for green building certifications like LEED.