THE FLOOR-STORAGE THERMAL-LOOP HOME

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THE TALLY

The cost of the materials used in our house totaled $16,784. Excavation, backfilling, and landscaping added $892 to that figure, while permits and fees came to $132 . . . and we spent $484 for appliances (a used woodstove and refrigerator and a new electric range). Finally, we shelled out $2,913 in labor for two hired men (the "cost" of my own labor isn't included in these totals . . . after all, I was happy to be working on our dream home). Later, $1,296 was returned to us in the form of federal and state tax credits . . . so that even after we get the closet doors up, grass planted, and a few other miscellaneous jobs taken care of, we'll still have spent only about $20,750.

Better still, with three sides of our home built into the earth, maintenance should be minimal. And of course our heating costs should be next to nothing. All it'll take to keep us cozy will be a little fuel for the chain saw, a new chain or two through the years, and a big thanks for the abundance of free energy from the sun.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you'd like to have more detail on the Schonberg home, the author is willing to provide a floor plan with the dimensions of the footings, poured walls, cement blocks under the floor, chimney, plumbing, partitions, sunlight panels, and kitchen layout. Mr. Schonberg comments that an experienced builder should be able to work directly from the plan. Otherwise, the drawings could provide a local architect the basis for drawing up complete blueprints. To order the floor plan, send $5.00 with your name and address to David Schonberg, Dept. TMEN, Route 3, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308.

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