Energy Efficient Home Designs from North Dakota State University Agricultural Extension Service

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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.

More Homes

Check out these websites for hundreds of great designs, inexpensive blueprints, do-it-yourself design software and easy-to-assemble cabin and cottage building kits.

Country House Plans and Home Building Kits Find traditional country home plans in all styles. Have an architect in your area create a one-of-a-kind custom design. Have a soaring timber-frame barn home crafted for you or have a beautiful small home shipped right to your country acres or vacation property as an easy-to-assemble building kit.

Early New England Homes

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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.