SELF-HEATING, SELF-COOLING HOUSE
(Page 4 of 4)
July/August 1971
By Wendell Thomas
Still another point should be mentioned. In the ordinary house, the living space is too dry, especially when the house is heated. The floor cracks, furniture falls apart and your throat gets dry . . . while whatever is in the basement stays too damp and moldy. On the contrary, in our houses—where the air circulates up and down all the time—the living space is normally humid and the below space just slightly more humid.
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In Sunnycrest, on the coldest winter morning, the temperature was 50 degrees; on the hottest summer afternoon, 85. In Sunnycave, on the coldest winter morning, the temperature was 60; on the hottest summer afternoon, 75. For that reason I prefer Sunnycave. Its temperature varies only 15 degrees throughout the year!
If I were to design Sunnycave again today, I would do it just as I did . . . except for one thing: I would not bring an earth-bank almost to the roof on the north and west sides (it's not necessary), but only to the window sill level. I think that an earth-bank up to window sill level, coupled with a no-draft floor, is fundamental. The main thing about the north and west is to have no doors and few or no windows in a heavily-insulated wall.
Since building Sunnycave, I've learned from Ken Kern that, "In 1935, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a community of low-cost 'Berm' houses. He made logical use of earth-insulation by back-filling to window sill level. This construction provided excellent insulation and saved on wall maintenance and finish. Unfortunately, the idea was too unorthodox for the public to accept at that time so the scheme was never carried to completion."
Since building Sunnycrest and Sunnycave, my children have grown up and moved away and my dear wife died suddenly of a stroke. I've now moved to South Carolina to live with my sister's family but each of my houses is currently being lived in and enjoyed by a young couple.
I now spend all my time writing about creative peace and this article contains most of what I know about earth-insulation and no-draft floors. If you have have questions to ask, please consult Ken Kern, Sierra Route, Oakhurst, California 93644. Ken is an earth-loving architect and builder, author of THE OWNER-BUILT HOME and THE OWNERBUILT HOMESTEAD and he is a recognized authority on low-cost and innovative building.
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