If you’ve ever wanted your home to take care of you the way you take care of it, an Earthship home might an option. These off-grid structures are redefining freedom and independence as a truly sustainable home. But before you start collecting tires and old cans, here’s what you need to know about Earthship homes.

What Is an Earthship Home

Earthship homes are a type of sustainable dwelling first introduced by architect Michael Reynolds in the 1970s, with the goal of creating homes that are not only environmentally sustainable but also self-sufficient and affordable. Reynolds wanted to create homes that could meet basic needs — shelter, water, energy and food — without depending on external systems or causing environmental harm.

The sustainable building company, Earthship Biotecture, bases its designs on six key principles: use of natural and recycled materials, thermal and solar heating and cooling, solar and wind electricity, water harvesting, contained sewage treatment and interior organic food production.

What Are Earthship Homes Made Of

Earthship homes are constructed primarily using recycled materials such as used tires, glass bottles, aluminum cans and reclaimed wood. These materials are readily available, inexpensive and help repurpose waste. Mixing old tires with compacted soil creates an exceptionally strong material suitable for outer walls and load-bearing interior walls, while aluminum cans are used to construct other interior walls.

The walls are structural and thermal. Earthship homes use thermal mass,  a material’s ability to absorb, store, and release heat, to regulate indoor temperatures, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, creating a stable and comfortable indoor climate.

How Much Does an Earthship Home Cost

A professionally built Earthship costs $300 to $400 per square foot, or $450,000 to $1,000,000 total on average for labor, materials and a turnkey finish. That is not cheap. For a 2,000-square-foot home, professional construction translates to a total cost between $500,000 and $800,000 or more, including specialized labor, complex mechanical systems for water and power, and often shipping materials to remote sites.

A DIY route could change the equation significantly. For a DIY builder utilizing a global model design, costs can be reduced to $150 per square foot or lower, depending on the builder’s ability to source reclaimed materials and perform their own labor. Old tires are often free from local auto shops or recycling centers, earth for ramming is usually sourced on-site, and bottles, cans and reclaimed wood can be gathered for little to no cost. With this method, a modest two-bedroom structure could cost $100,000 to $200,000. 

However, there is one more cost factor. A research study found that the resale value of an Earthship home averages $191 per square foot — meaning a builder who paid $225 per square foot to build stands to lose roughly $34 per square foot if they choose to sell. For a 1,700-square-foot home, that gap represents a net loss of nearly $58,000.

The Downsides of Earthship Homes

Earthships are often labeled as experimental architecture because they don’t fit standard building codes, and financing can be hard to come by. Builders and buyers often have to find other financing methods or make a cash purchase.

Also, permitting varies widely by location and can add significant time and cost to a build. Climate and location can also influence cost. In the West, where climate controls are critical, upfront insulation and glazing can push initial costs higher.

Is an Earthship Home Worth It

For the right person in the right location, yes. Earthship Brighton is zero carbon, producing 100% renewable energy and — consequently — no utility bills. Over decades, the absence of utility costs, water bills and food costs from integrated gardens offsets a significant portion of the upfront investment.

But an Earthship is not a starter home or a passive investment. It is a commitment to a lifestyle and a philosophy. 

Our recommendation is to experience it before committing. Book a stay in an Earthship home in the Greater World Community in Taos, New Mexico,  the first Earthship community in the world. Live off-grid for a while, set in a high desert mesa. Then decide for yourself.