Super Efficient Off-Grid Earthship Built for Early Retirement Plan

In this video, we meet Connie and Craig from Wind Chasers. They're a retired couple who built themselves a 100% off-grid, passive solar earthship using plans they bought from Mike Reynolds (the man featured in the Garbage Warrior documentary - check it out if you haven't already!).
The couple built the earth ship because they wanted to live an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, but they also wanted to live a financially sustainable lifestyle that would allow them to retire comfortably. Building this home using recycled tires and portland cement cost them a fraction of what a conventional house would have cost, and they got the 1200 recycled tires they needed for free!
In addition to the low construction cost, they don't pay any bills to maintain the home. They use solar power instead of being hooked up to hydro. They collect their rain water instead of being hooked up to municipal water. They store energy from the sun in the thermal mass of their home instead of having a furnace. They use a composting toilet instead of paying to install and maintain a septic system. And they treat their own greywater (from the kitchen & shower) on site. There is a fireplace in the home, but the couple says they only use it a few times per year for atmosphere, and they don't depend on it as a heat source.
The couple even grow a lot of their own food in their indoor planter, like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, carrots - you name it! The planter also stores energy from the sun to help maintain a stable temperature in the home.
The first earth ships were built in New Mexico by Mike Reynolds, and while many people think they're amazing, they don't believe that earthships can be built in harsher environments (like in Canada for example). This earth ship is built near Lake Erie, in Ontario, Canada. It did take a few years for the home to absorb all of the thermal energy it needed to maintain a stable year-round temperature, but now that it's had time to cure and mature, it's working great.
Mat and I were completely blown away when we walked into the house and realized how incredibly well the house was performing without any of the traditional inputs we're used to seeing in a conventional home. We enjoyed the feeling of being outdoors that the house provides with the natural light, curved walls, and luscious greenery. The recycled bottle walls are spectacular, too.
If you're interested in learning more about Connie and Craig's earthship, you can visit their Wind Chasers website here:
www.windchasers.ca
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: /exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: @exploringalternatives
Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

[@thejensetterkive]

When he said they plan on living here as long as they can and he doesn't know how their lives are going to be like in the future, it broke me. Hoping and wishing they spend many more years in their beloved home.

[@Catlovers52]

8:28 "We have no bills" Fantastic. Great job guys. Was glad to hear this structure concept would work in Canada's environment. I have been following some of the designs and love what earthship founder Mike Reynolds has done.

[@jameslaw3740]

Remember folks they live near lake Erie, the winter is not as cold as the rest of Ontario. Look on a map , upper states Michigan ,Wisconsin, and other states are higher and colder , I'm in Midwestern Ontario and 22 degree temperature in January and February would be nice. The further north you go in Canada the colder she gets, being debt free would be awesome, only paying taxes and nothing else wow, the upper barn part of the home would be a great alternative for a few animals or a aqua phonic system. Geo thermo building and solar power built into your home should be looked into by anyone would can afford it. Once the hydro goes out only the smart will survive 👍 🇨🇦

[@orinakhocha]

I never thought this would work in Canada but i am so happy that this incredible couple did the unthinkable, exploring alternatives i will never stop thanking you for your good work, keep it up.

[@StarwalkerProject]

Check out the one that's in Alaska!

[@Jayess-c]

We have survived in houses made of snow. We are good at using our surroundings.

[@TonyaS]

I love this! You can just tell by how they speak how stress free and calm they are.

[@BushBabeez]

I agree

[@nataliamartinelli-luengo119]

"we have no bills, none at all"

[@Nexus-6]

I feel calm and relaxed, after watching this, and listening to them talk.

[@Th3_Gael]

They're stones that's why they're calm 😂 Check 4:25

[@kingfedrick4698]

@@Th3_Gael Gama Gama Gama

[@0HARE]

Earthships are the most efficient, environmentally friendly, low maintenance cost, and sustainable homes on the planet. They are not cheap, but they are worth every penny, especially considering that you will have absolutely zero utility bills for the life of the home. Also, the ability to have a vegetable and herb garden in the home year round will save on food costs. We took the tour of the model home at the Earthship Community outside of Taos, NM. Your video did a good job showcasing this home, but to see one in person is amazing. Thanks for another great video. Happy Trails!

[@buddhamack1491]

@Knees If that. The cost is in the renewable energy tech. The actual home is cheap if you do a community work project where people come to learn and work with an experienced teacher. You really need to connect with local experts in building one of these or they can go horribly wrong. Plonking this down in a hot climate would render it like an oven inside.

[@kungfusing1]

Buddha Mack uhh what, they are designed for hot climates also.

[@buddhamack1491]

@@kungfusing1 Different designs though. this particular one wouldn't work in a hot climate.

[@elkoku2002]

Using wood implies a high maintenance cost, the lack of flexibility in the house also implies high costs in the future (you cannot adapt new technologies to the house easily). I can't imagine how much it would cost to fix the plumbing in the event of a leak...

[@adamgoldberg3022]

visited these guys in person and wow is it a beautiful house !! inspired to say the least

[@forcefamilyadventures]

adam goldberg how does one connect with them... we are looking at alternative living and are looking to be inspired.

[@buddhamack1491]

@@forcefamilyadventures You don't need to find them. There are small communities all over the globe that can be found easily to get info and even help build these. A lot of people build these with help from like minded individuals that want to learn how to build one. You can organize a building project where people will help you and learn in the process from an experienced individual/s . So look out for one of those projects and go along and help and learn in the process. That's how communities form.

[@lesterreed7199]

Where? In Taos?

[@ThePathOfLeastResistanc]

@@buddhamack1491 ok so how can they be found?

[@buddhamack1491]

@@ThePathOfLeastResistanc depends where you are. But these days there are a lot of different options for eco friendly homes. You can have homes built out of shipping containers and have them delivered to your property basically anywhere. A little research goes a long way. If a group isn't close they may be able to help direct you to something more local or someone willing to travel.

[@michaelglenning5107]

Very commendable. No furnace in minus 20 degree weather. This is my favorite earthship so far.

[@chrisw8415]

I can listen to the guy talk all night really relaxed he seems so stress-free you can hear his voice

[@firghteningtruth7173]

He has a calm voice, i agree... Listen to him all night? Idk. He about broke my brain when he said, "We get our hydro from solar..." Ow.

[@WildWeRoam]

Connie and Craig are such an inspiration!! Really hoping I can feel the freedom they do with their level of self-reliance one day :) your videos are always so inspiring!

[@Benlucky13]

nice seeing earthships like this in more diverse environments. good to know that if you're smart about it they work just about wherever you go

[@veganpiranha3302]

Anytime I want to give up on this planet people like these give me a second thought

[@TizonaAmanthia]

ever since I first learned of earthships, I've wanted one. yours blends that natural, curves, and reclaimed materials that the originals used with some of the modern ammenities, that make living less of a hassle. i'm subscribing to learn how to make one of my own.

[@blainemitchell]

I would have liked to have seen a tour of the house. He said it had an upstairs and that would be great to see.

[@nicosmind3]

But thats where they keep their dead bodies

[@babydaddy4257]

Probably carpeted, AC, all the amenities..

[@laineydiamond]

Incredible. I would love to build an intentional community full of these homes.

[@m.a.d.m.5425]

That would be so beautiful!

[@psychobunny32]

there is an Earthship community in Taos , New Mexico. You can rent an earthship for a few nights and tour the others with permission.

[@laineydiamond]

Missy Rabbit nice. Thanks for the information!

[@psychobunny32]

***** unfortunately not. But it is worth the money.

[@SpiritLifeStephanie]

And that is what we are doing now!

[@Grid-free-life]

We love living off the grid in our own Earthship too. Life is good!!!

[@JasonMichaelKotarski]

Thank you for virtually letting us into your home, this is extremely beneficial to our designs.

[@MycketTuff]

Architecture was just a concept used by boring people to me. Until I found out about Earthships and Tiny Houses. Now I can't stop thinking about shapes, forms, gardens, natural materials and passive renewable energy. I love seeing how people shape Earthships to fit them, rather than "one to fit all". This clip alone will fuel my inspiration for months! Thanks for sharing! Gordon - future architectural engineer

[@L0_V]

Hi , G, I'm C and wondering have you ever been to Mexico ,, send me a message let's talk , you engineer you ... I too find it had not to get lost in shapes and functionality, let's share ""

[@sk69to96]

maybe with people like you a sustainable future with little waste is possible. 🙂 You have my blessings man!

[@jordanadams3124]

There is a small community of earth ships in Taos, New Mexico. Truly inspiring and beautiful!

[@mysoutherngardeningjourney]

We just moved into a small earth-sheltered house (not earthship, but close) last November, and I want to warn people that if you want enough thermal mass to not need supplemental heat or A/C, such a house needs to be fairly large.

[@seededsoul]

Crunchy Emily Congrats on the eco house! I was thinking how this might be made cheaper, and I thought you could dig a hole / pack mechanically-stabilized dirt around it, instead of using so much concrete. Is that how you all did it?

[@yLeprechaun]

Ours, earthbanked- non earthship, is only about 1500 sq ft. Stays about 55° unassisted year round. For my eskimo family, it's great. But I have a wood burner to stop my teeth chatter. ;)

[@bpalpha]

Live simply so others can simply live. Thank you for sharing your eco-friendly home.

[@rawlawgirl]

The most spectacular house I have ever seen. I just wish I would have seen the entire house, but I do understand privacy!

[@gplus46]

This inspires so much hope. It is a clear demonstration of human advancement, like, the prodigal son returning home. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@oh_kale_yeah1199]

This should be the standard all over the world! This is our planets future. Omgeee I love this soooo much!! Thank you for sharing, I'm so inspired!

[@alexmurray7031]

It truly is our future......

[@ok-ff1wf]

So true! But sadly, I believe this’ll be our future once everybody realizes how we destroyed the earth with loads of pollution. But then we’ll rebuild the earth again thanks to earthship. :)

[@seededsoul]

Haha...try fitting 270 people in an acre, like they do in New York City!

[@SSingh-nr8qz]

The problem is cities. Earthships are awesome if you have the land, but not so great smaller footprints like condos and such. The key is you are using square footage in relation to your natural resources (water, solar, gardens, etc) to sustain yourself. Communal resources is an issue and leads to hostilities. The main reason is while one person is conserving (say water) and your neighbour is "wasting" water by gardening or other projects, people get ticked. I find these projects are best to those who are responsible for themselves.

[@xeroone1]

Oh_Kale_Yeah Why would you want to live like this in a tropical zone? This is housing for a temperate region.

[@SuperTuffgirl]

I love how more in harmony with nature they’re living. Kudos!

[@wyowin]

I loved seeing this! So refreshing and they used every kind of knowledge to make this work as well as possible. A lot can be learned from this. And you filmed it so nicely! I love seeing these living-alternatives on your channel, good job! :D

[@ollieb.9731]

What a very special couple, thank you so much for sharing :)

[@erintannehill]

I love these videos! My favorite part [aside from the wall of windows] is the glass bottle wall. I think it is neat how they were able to incorporate that as a wall and still have light penetration! Also, recycling tires like this is brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing their home!

[@veganchaatparty]

Super Thanks to Connie and Craig for making this happen. This is better than a dream. This is a super magnificent and beautiful home. Super use of every discarded material like tyres, bottles, insulators, and so much more. Super Salute and Super Respect to these couple. This house includes everything our planet is made of plants, light, rock and its super sustainable. You are making this planet a super better place to live for tomorrow....and this is all off-grid..WOW....An Ideal Home...Thanks again.

[@coolcatcarolena4951]

What a unique home. That indoor garden is a dream!!!

[@unclelar819]

Beautiful!!!! Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching!!

[@latishabrown801]

+Exploring Alternatives Will the website take me to the book source they used by Michael Reynolds?

[@latishabrown801]

+Exploring Alternatives This is just smart & beautiful living.

[@walkingwater893]

latishabrown801 Do a search for it, Mike Reynolds 3 volume set, Earthship building. He/they also have a website. The books are old now not sure if they have updated them! We built from the books!!

[@mrbr549]

Michael Reynolds has been doing this in New Mexico for many years. So glad to see your video on this fantastic way of constructing truly off grid housing. The quality of this video was great, and at first I thought I was watching a Kirsten Dirkson video.

[@winyicreaven207]

Newly introduced to this and am already loving it. Awesome, I would like to be the first to build this in Africa, Uganda.

[@SilverSunPublishing]

They did a fantastic job on their home. Not only is it extremely functional, but it is also beautiful!

[@firewalker1446]

All I can say is, "Wow!" ❤ it. That house is phenomenal. Thanks for sharing. ❤ your vids!

[@carolewarner101]

I absolutely LOVE the last thing Craig says, "We have no bills, so this is our retirement!" Fantastic... The principles of an Earthship are amazing, however, I would never surround myself with old tires because of all the toxic off gassing that would be polluting our living space. But there are many ways to create thermal mass, and that's what we'll do when we start building.

[@WannaBFree]

I really like the Earthship homes. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimberleymh]

caps

[@indiebaby]

What a beautiful home. May they enjoy it for many many many years. They both seem so passionate and lovely.

[@m.a.d.m.5425]

This is phenomenal! They are astonishingly brilliant! I aspire to be like them one day!

[@luticia]

How peaceful and calm. Love it.

[@ouvickie]

What a beautiful home. I've always wanted an earthship. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@theaudiopattern]

Fell in love with these after seeing a doc on Earthships in Taos, NM. They just make sense, and they're so charming. Would love to live in one.

[@scdobserver835]

Truly inspirational!

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for checking it out =)

[@Pyramidtank]

do you have to build this yourself or is there Engineers you can hire

[@BanditLeader]

Pyramid Tank all by yourself

[@erikadowdy686]

This is what i want to live in. Great job peeps!

[@fullyshannon]

Very beautiful couple and house !

[@Gridlessness]

Hey, great video and great house! Very well stated Connie and Craig. Your efforts in building the house and your story will inspire and encourage many. Thanks to you and Exploring Alternatives.

[@mercedescreates]

"you have to be more in tune with what's going on around you"

[@katalinaradi7472]

The most beautiful video about off grid that ever seen.

[@AGM-ts5bb]

This, to me, is the most beautiful house I have ever seen.

[@YungNoDussy]

They look so happy. Good on them they are great souls

[@caterinaroman2436]

This is the coolest idea ever! Thanks for posting! I love your channel!

[@Malryth]

Great video with some solid information. I did see the Garbage Warrior documentary a few years back. I have a dream to do the same thing...build an Earthship in Canada "somewhere" so retirement seems much more "achievable". Thank you for sharing this video. :)

[@pink43560]

Amazing house :) so nice to see sustainability in practice...

[@Veganmadeyeezy]

wow that's really awesome! they planned everything so perfectly

[@redford4ever]

I like the floor plan too. There's something deeply familial about it.

[@topnotchpiperdad]

There you go it can be done, all i can say is well done to this couple.

[@infinitecreator4674]

Beautiful!!!! Absolutely beautiful! Love the house。

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

And a lovely pension it is. Brilliantly designed and laid out. Beautiful. And you don't have to put up with crazies....

[@jameslaw3740]

Only when the in-laws come over!

[@zwtxylgf]

I love this couple.

[@sagekaplan317]

Did anyone else laugh and want that "I Triple Dog Dare You" sign? I am doing a bachelor course at university about sustainable urban planning. I dream of designing towns and cities to be 100% sustainable, renewable and as zero-waste as possible.

[@syedazahra1256]

This is best earthship home i have seen.

[@RPLefty]

So great to see people like this. Wonderful house, couple and video

[@jordangreen1538]

Hi there Craig and Connie!.. . . I hope you and the Earthship are still going strong! (F.Parsons - in Sri Lanka at present).

[@kristinparish2834]

It's nice to be really mindful of the energy you use.

[@wholesomegirl2889]

So inspiring. Thank you for showing off your beautiful home. ❤️

[@hans_____]

No furnace and still warm during Canada's winter. Amazing.

[@lesleyallinson8738]

Amazing what you have done and live in, I can't see it as I am blind but from your discription I see it in my head

[@aliciabrillante]

Those glass walls are outstanding😍😍😍

[@stevedolesch9241]

Accessibility is important. I like the way it's built.

[@allmagicguy]

What a beautiful home.

[@EllaBirt]

This couple is exactly how I picture my husband and I to be someday. Such a great home! I loved her telling the tale of living in tune with her surroundings, using the washer only on the sunniest days. It sounded so peaceful. I can imagine the quiet, without the buzzing power lines and appliances.

[@EllaBirt]

Also - Mat & Danielle, you are ROCKING this channel! So happy for you.

[@jackfroste]

It really is one of the best homes on the planet. Great video.

[@attackandsnack]

and it's so quiet in there, beautiful!

[@LisaDawnn]

How wonderfully awesome. Many happy & healthy years to you!

[@seriouslyomg1234]

Outstanding option for living. How lovely.

[@gailknight3128]

Love this, especially the glass bottles in the walls. Would definitely live there quite happily

[@goodtimeswithchelsea7052]

wow, what a dream. This is so wholesome. I am in love with this earthship. wow

[@Anthony-wk1sm]

This should have millions of views

[@zebrabike9]

Wonderful example , of a sustainable way to live . Connie and Craig , I wish you many years of happiness in your beautiful earthship . Thank you for posting ,and sharing your knowledge .

[@manymoonstraveled]

That is truly amazing! I love this and would love to have a home like that some day...thanks for sharing..

[@jessamygoddard4112]

What an amazing couple and a fantastic home! Take care xxx

[@neila880]

Very informative and a true inspiration for sustainable living.

[@stringbender57]

This is an amazing home! Wow... truly off the grid.

[@alexpmK3]

How lovely and calm are they ?! They are living THE DREAM,, We just don,'t know it yet.

[@firstlast5681]

Nice to see an off-the-grid home not looking like a shanty

[@ponigurll7747]

We are looking at selling our 2 energy hog, old skool housing, and the Earthship Design, is so compelling. I have been researching Pit Greenhouses, with Hydroponics, and these Earthships, well, they're genius. I am sharing this with my BF, and i hope "we" will feel inspired. Your bottle walls, are beautiful.

[@svetlanikolova7673]

Write a letter to Mike Reynolds and thank him. He deserves the credit. Give him the credit because he is a genious

[@rolandburks]

This is magnificent!! Thanks you guys for being so awesome and creating this beautiful magical dwelling!!

[@dedude5864]

oh my goodness. Fantastic house. Thanks for sharing.

[@mimib7970]

yay being in touch with nature every day

[@nicholasgaudet6309]

I absolutely love the idea of an earthship I already have an abundance of ideas for my own

[@kathyfann]

It’s lovely and Such an wonderful idea 💡 😊

[@ElementL116]

This place is phenomenal!

[@SimpleFull]

😍😍😍 I love earthships!! Thanks for the great tour!!

[@TeslaRoadsterSpud]

That was really fun to watch. Best of luck to the both of you.

[@stormthrush37]

So cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@evalenasbabys]

Charming and earthly, absolutely beautiful!

[@tinkerbell2606]

we are looking to go off grid this year in france, loved your video thanks.

[@zennmomma2801]

This is beautiful! If only this was the norm in our "modern" society....

[@xeroone1]

zennmomma it might become the norm if the human population was cut to half.

[@judyjakim]

Wow. Earthships have come so far since i last checked in on them

[@jessmullens5191]

I love this! I love the earth ship houses, but not the typical pueblo, super rustic look of them. This cladded version is much more my style. The forward planning for future mobility issues is brilliant!