THE SOLARTRON PREFABRICATED EARTH-SHELTERED HOME

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A Solartron roof panel, however, is rated to support a pressure of 550 pounds per square foot, and in fact was proven — by an independent testing laboratory — to remain intact under a total surface load of 23,038 pounds ... with a deflection of only about 1/2' in the center of the panel. And the wall components are even stronger: Test results show that those panels can withstand an amazing 183,000 pounds before ultimate failure! So, regardless of what the skeptics say, earth-covered dwellings are actually a good deal safer than conventional homes ... and are, of course, especially resistant to storm damage or vandalism.

IT SAVES MONEY COMING AND GOING

Since the idea of prefabricated, modular earth-sheltered homes is relatively new (as is the entire "underground living" concept), you might expect such a home to carry a hefty price tag. Fortunately, however, the cost of building a Solartron house is equal to (and in some cases less than) that of erecting a conventional aboveground structure ... with the final "tab" averaging out at about $40 to $45 per square foot depending on location, type of soil, and depth of excavation.

But that's only part of the story ... the real savings come after the house is built. Because it's protected by a layer of earth, the fiberglass home is reluctant to give up its heat ... and actually absorbs a good deal of thermal energy from the soil around it (which—below the frost line—remains at a constant 55°F all year round) -

In order to have an accurate "Yardstick" with which to measure his home's thermal efficiency, Mr. Bullock asked the local power company to supply him with estimated annual energy consumption figures for heating and cooling his "model" Illinois residence. Ralph found that—even with the terrific loss of heat resulting from the coming and going of some 15,000 interested people who visited the dwelling during its winter-of-1978 open house—his actual utility costs during the cold month of December were only $15.75. And, using that figure as a reference, the power company "guesstimated" that such expenses for an entire Year wouldn't exceed $128!

It should be remembered, too, that these energy-use "tests" were made in a residence with an open courtyard. if the pat& had been closed in (a Solartron option), the amount of cash saved would have been even more significant! Furthermore, considerably greater savings could be realized with the installation of an efficient woodburning stove ... the already low utility bills might even be cut in half!

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