Insulation

Why is there an Energy Crisis?

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A BIG issue in everyone’s lives today is increasing fuel costs. (Don’t be fooled by [temporary] low prices. They’ll be going back up shortly due to limitations in oil production.) High oil prices are connected to peak oil and gas production, wars to secure limited resources and climate change. These problems are all a consequence … Read more

The Earth-Sheltered Solar Canadian

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Follow the adventure of building an earth-sheltered structure in Canada, six hours north of Winnipeg. In brief, they’re exploring how to optimize Mike Oehler’s earth sheltered concept using earthbags. Their greenhouse was a success (an amazing feat that far north), and now they want to build a larger structure. Their plans remind me of ancient … Read more

Adobe Rocket Stove

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Experimental rocket stove made with rice/hull clay adobes for insulation and traditional adobes. “Two kinds of adobe: one regular old adobe mix and one that’s rice hull/clay. I wanted to try out the rice/hull clay thing as insulator. I didn’t have very many rice hull bricks, so I put ’em at the bottom of the … Read more

Thermo Hemp Insulation

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Thermo Hemp, made by Ecological Building Systems, is a mat and roll form of insulation made from 100 percent hemp. It is pollutant-free, has a high thermal resistance, and good acoustic dampening properties. It is completely safe to install and manufacture, offers outstanding fire protection, and contains no chemical additives. Coming in mats or rolls, … Read more

Another Insulated Earthbag Method

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This new insulated earthbag idea is from Chris, one of our readers. “Feel free to post away with the idea–after all, ideas are to be shared not owned. It seems like a good way to efficiently build thermal mass inside insulation, while being another (simpler? faster?) alternative to compartmentalized-sewn bags or laying inner and outer … Read more