[Greenbuilding] Interesting web site

[CALYPSO]

Hi Janet,

Yes we have solar electric as well as grid service. We have catch water 
and a water well. We use compost toilets, but also have a conventional 
septic system and toilets. We decided on having the options and have 
found it reduces utility costs, but does not cause pain during difficult 
times for solar, catch water. Also makes visitors more comfortable.

We have an Aquastar instant hot water heater that is propane driven. We 
have two kiva fireplaces a well as an airtight but find it seldom 
necessary to use any heat other than the sun. Usually temperatures 
between 0 F and 90 F our controlled by the earthship beyond that range 
we very occasionally use the kivas and we have a swamp cooler we push up 
to one of the screen doors to cool down the upper level.

This earthship really works. Of course we have a lot of pictures. Here 
are a couple of the outside of the earthship: http://www.ranchocalypso.com/

Also some information on our Blog about earthship life in Colorado:

http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/

We have two homes in Mexico and recently decided that the travel back 
and forth is getting too costly. You will see a comment on our plans to 
sell – please don’t think of this as a promotion for that – it is there 
for next year. This decision takes nothing away from the livability or 
how totally happy we have been living in an earthship for the last five 
years I assure you.



Janet L. Hobbs wrote:
>  Are you off the grid, too?  Would love to see photos, know about your
> process and so on....
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CALYPSO [mailto:calypso at ranchocalypso.com] 
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 5:37 PM
> To: Alan Abrams
> Cc: 'Janet L. Hobbs'; 'Greenbuilding'
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Interesting web site
>
> We live in a split level 2100 sq. Earthship near Pueblo & Colorado Springs.
> It is a wonderful housing choice.
>
> John Calypso
>
>
> Alan Abrams wrote:
>   
>> Last October, I stayed at the Dobson House, an earth-B&B-ship, just 
>> west of Taos--it was the most beautiful place I ever stayed at.  Made 
>> of three gazzilion stuccoed tires and about a half acre of glazing, 
>> off the grid, private bermed patios.  Plus the Dobsons are great hosts.
>>
>> http://www7.taosnet.com/dobsonhouse/archt.html
>>
>> Alan Abrams
>> Washington DC, and pining for the other side of the Pecos again
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Here is an interesting web site that was forwarded to me.  I don't 
>> have any personal experience with it, but thought I'd pass it along to 
>> those who might be interested..
>>
>> -janet
>>
>> I came across this little community just outside of Taos, New Mexico 
>> on my recent road trip.
>> There a website with data, pictures and what not. 
>> Definitely thinking outside the box. 
>> http://earthship.com/
>> Cheers,
>> LAwrence
>>
>>
>>   
>>     
>
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