Thousands of copies of the book were sold in over 25 countries of the world. Of these, there were some fine and educational reports. Builders who followed the recommendations have homes that are cozy and comfortable. Builders who ignored the book often had nice homes, but those built in cold climates had to add heat in the winter.

One example, a home in Southern Idaho, the builder thought he was smarter than the earth, so he ignored the plans I drew, and now the earth shelter operates like a normal earth shelter. It has a temperature of about 55° F. (12.8° C.)  So heat must be added each winter. I the builder should have to chop the wood needed to get it up to par, or at least he think should buy overcoats to keep the people warm all winter.

One interesting home was built in Kentucky. It had no windows, but instead used earth tubes as recommended in my book. Even though it was only an earth-bermed home rather than a full earth shelter with soil on the roof, the convection-powered fresh warm air would nearly blow out a match put near its opening.

It was found that the Geodome had its insulation/watershed umbrella chopped off in the front, because the builders didn’t understand what it was for. A leak developed at one of the connections, so the front part of the dome was dug up. The leak was patched and the umbrella was repaired. The home remains cozy and dry to this day.

The recommendation that the windows, which lean back, was also ignored. They did not shed water like a skylight, but were built like regular vertical windows. They rotted out. We are reminded that there are physical reasons why we build things for function first, and looks second.

The Geodome had 48 electronic remote temperature and moisture sensors. 10 feet (3.048 m.) behind the dome the earth reached 70° F. (21.1° C.) I believe the home barely maintains Passive Annual Heat Storage, because it is two stories in the ground. Its umbrella is too small, extending only 10 feet (3.048 m) beyond the footings, whereas the book recommends 20 feet (6.096 m). That figure was chosen because that’s how far heat flows in the earth over 6 months to maintain isolation from the cold outdoors. Physical reasons again.

I loved the one in upstate New York. The folks ran out of money when the home was only partially complete. They had to move in anyway. I recommended carpet over plastic directly on the dirt floor. A year later they wrote that it was the most comfortable floor they ever had. I did the same thing on the island of Yap. I loved it, but not over wet clay…it moves.

So my recommendation is to buy my book. Follow what it says, or be prepared to chop wood to keep warm. But then that isn’t so bad, wood warms you twice. Once when you chop it, and again when you burn it!

Up dated 1-4-11