Couple Finds Dirt Home To Be Dream Home

It looks like an average above ground building, but it's actually an earth-draped project to conserve energy.

Thursday, July 3rd 2008, 9:21 pm

By: News On 6


There is a new groundbreaking way to save energy. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren met one Green Country couple hoping to cut costs with a little help from Mother Nature. They're building their dream home, out of dirt.

From the road it looks like an average above ground building, but upon closer inspection it's actually an earth-draped project to conserve energy.

"Back here it's all going to be covered with dirt and three feet of dirt up over the roof and it'll look like a hill from back here. But in front it'll be a normal facade like you'd see in a normal house," said Les Stockton.

It's a 3,000 square foot, concrete-enforced earth home.

Les Stockton has been saving up for this project since the 1970s and now he's finally building his dream home. He's doing it himself with a little sweat and a lot of dirt.

"It's been grueling at times and frustrating," said Stockton.

Three feet of dirt will cover the domed roof, keeping the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

"In the summer time this house is going to be 70 to 72 degrees and in the winter, 68 to 70 degrees with little or no heating and cooling," said Stockton.

They'll cover the dirt roof with grass which they say will require very little maintenance.

"We may have to mow it a couple of times," said Stockton.

One thing they've heard a couple of times that living in an earth home must be like living in a cave.

"They think cave. How many people have told us, ‘oh all that dirt on the roof, it'll be dark you're not going to be able to see through it.' And I'm going, you can see through your roof?" said Stockton.

With skylights to let in light and an energy-saving plan for the future, the Stockton's say they'll have the last laugh.

"In the end it's worth it," said Stockton.

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