This is the home we lived in until we moved to Florida in May, 2005. The house faces due south and is built into the side of a hill. Earth berms on two-thirds of the house reduce the temperature swings and act as buffers against the north winds. The non-bermed, exterior walls are covered with six inches of fiberglass and two inches of Styrofoam for an insulation value of R-30. The ceiling has eighteen inches of blown fiberglass and two inches of Styrofoam for an insulation value of R-40.

 A set of four earth tubes on each side of the house provide a pleasantly cool breeze during the summer and warm air during the winter. Each tube is eight inches in diameter and 100 feet long. The tubes are buried eight feet deep. Vents on the north roof exhaust the hot air that collects near the ceiling and draw air through the earth tubes. The air coming from the earth tubes is 72° year-round.

The house uses a basic direct gain system with 165 square feet of south-facing windows. The  thermal storage is provided by the eight inch masonry walls and the four inch concrete slab deck. The deck/slab is completely exposed to the sun during the winter months, but only partially exposed during the summer months. This keeps the house warm on winter nights and cool on summer nights. The south-facing windows are angled to allow direct sunlight during the winter, but only indirect sunlight during the summer. The house is brightly illuminated even during dreary winter days.