Adobe, Compressed Earth Block, or Rammed Earth

Adobe, Compressed Earth Block, or Rammed Earth

Intent

To increase thermal storage of home by increasing the thermal capacity of the structure and to reduce the imbedded energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of adobes or rammed earth.  The energy required to transport these heavy materials from remote locations where they are made for sale is avoided when the materials on the site are used to construct the materials.

Additional Information/How to Implement

Thermal mass in the interior of the home when in the sun path through a window stores energy and re-emits it in the winter (or re-absorbs it in the summer).  Calculate the total area of walls that are in or enclosing the building’s thermal envelope and calculate the percentage that is comprised of the materials listed above. Assess the soil make up to determine if it has the component mix of sand, clay and organic material necessary to make the materials.  Up to 20 percent of material can be brought from off-site (such as additional clay material if the soil is insufficient) to take advantage of this item.