eBackroad > Free Plans > Free Green and Solar Home Designs and Projects

 

Energy Efficient Home Designs from North Dakota State University Agricultural Extension Service   Download free design plans and building details for energy saving solar, earth bermed and super-insulated home designs.


Three Bedroom Home with Optional Sunspace  Superinsulated home design from the National Institute for Appropriate Technology

Two Bedroom Passive Solar House  Design from the National Institute for Appropriate Technology

Earth Bermed and Passive Solar Home  Three Bedroom home with a sunspace and solar attic.

Experimental Solar Home  This three bedroom home incorporates a solar collector and under-floor thermal mass heat storage.

Use Landscaping to Help Save Home Energy Costs  How to use trees, shrubs, paving and groundcover to conserve energy.

More Earth Berm, Solar and Super Insulated Home Designs


About These Cooperative Extension Plans:  These plans were developed over many years by engineers at U.S. Land Grant universities. They are generally older plans that need to be revised for today's construction methods, codes and standards. They provide design ideas and conceptual information for planning purposes. The plans were prepared through the USDA Cooperative Farm Buildings Plan Exchange.

Buildings must resist various forces from snow, wind, earthquake and use. They also must adhere to local building and zoning codes. A local building inspector, engineer, building supplier, or building contractor can help you determine what is a safe and legal building for your area.

 
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Solar Home Plans from the Back Home Newsletter  Get reviews and links to free building plans and projects from a variety of sources. You'll also read about inexpensive blueprints, do-it-yourself kits and easy-to-use design/build software. Most importantly, you'll find buildings and projects that are simple and inexpensive to build and to maintain. If you're planning to build any type of home or accessory building, sign up for your free subscription. You'll enjoy fresh designs and design ideas that will help you create something wonderful for your property and your family.
 
 More Green Home and Solar Websites

DIY Plans for Free Solar and Wind Power for Your Cabin  Here's an inexpensive way for do-it-yourselfers to start saving on home energy costs. Earth 4 Energy is a downloadable guide that shows you how to build your own solar panels and your own backyard wind turbine for as little as $200 each. Their package includes solar panel and windmill plans, a step-by-step guide book, instructional videos and inexpensive sources for components.

Simple, Do-It-Yourself Solar Hot Water  This easy step by step guide will show you several different plans to build your very own solar water heater system. These plans, from SimpleEnergy.com, are easy enough for anyone to follow and will give you the option of how you would like to set up and install your water heater. You can build an entire system for less than $70. Once installed, you will be saving up to 1/3 of your electric bill each and every month.

 
Have all plans reviewed by your building department or by an experienced building professional who knows local conditions, before you start to build. Plans may have to be modified by a local professional to suit your site's building code and weather requirements.