Underground-Homes.com

Underground homes or earth-sheltered houses, as some call them, reside beneath the Earth's surface (at least partially). These houses are inexpensive to heat and cool since the surrounding soil acts as nature's insulation. Those who design underground dwellings have come up with several methods for regulating the temperature.

Underground Home with wind turbine

Underground buildings (at least some) depend upon the soil that surrounds the walls and floors (or even ceilings) to provide insulation. Others, however, have tubes channeled through them to bring in fresh air. Still others use a heat pump to regulate temperatures.

Most underground dwellings are made of concrete. In some parts of the country (or world), one can expect to pay 10-percent more for construction of these earth-sheltered structures than for a typical home. Enthusiasts say, though, that at least 10-percent or more is saved from lower maintenance and energy costs. Subsurface homes are not suitable, though for northern, permafrost regions or for most areas on flood plains.

Steve Martin's Partly Underground Montecito Home (Near Santa Barbara, CA)

Listen to the DOE ...

The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) agrees with the energy savings of underground or earth-sheltered homes saying, "If you are looking for a home with many energy-efficient features that will provide a comfortable, tranquil, weather-resistant atmosphere, an earth-sheltered house could be right for you."

Underground Home in Las Vegas

The DOE differentiates between underground houses, which are almost completely below the surface of the topsoil and earth-berm homes which may have one or two sides exposed, such as elevational and penetrational houses.

Advantages ...

Some other advantages of building underground are lower insurance premiums, natural sound insulation, less susceptibility to fire, high winds, hailstorms and tornadoes to name a few. Privacy is another issue stated by underground dwelling enthusiasts and homeowners, which has lured them to build below the surface.

Modern Underground House

If you happen to be a fan of underground or earth-berm homes, we have something for you at our "above the fray" Internet habitat. If you keep checking back we may even surprise you with a few things you hadn't anticipated as well. Hint, hint, keep checking back.

And, we promise not to compromise and will not to keep this information undercover. Did I mention that we're heavy into humor around here?

A Community of Underground Homes

I know some of you who will dig that. Oh, the humanity!

Fun Facts about Underground Homes

At present there are over 6,000 underground homes in the United States.

Underground America Day is celebrated May 14 every year.

Coober Pedy is a community in Southern Australia that lives underground because of the 100-plus temperatures in the summer.

Comedian and actor Steve Martin is one of the A-list celebrities to own an earth sheltered house.

Updated October 07, 2015