Underground homes?

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by RyanR

Mrs. R likes our existing house. Being underground, I believe many women wouldn't prefer for their daily space. No place to hang curtains.

It's pretty big... Sq/ft wise, I guess you would put it in the mansion category (but mine isn't as pretty...). It's current HVAC is commercial equipment on a demand meter. When you fire it up, the electric bill skyrockets due to the demand meter. A couple of 5-ton heat pumps with some new matching air handlers and hopefully the removal of the demand meter would better take care of the air at a reasonable cost. As for cheaper then a regular home, on a sq/ft basis, probably yes but that could easily vary by climate. E.g. Savings would be greatest in a warm climate.

In the long run; would your heating and cooling bills go down as the earth either came up to temperature or went down to temperature?

I am also curious if they super insulate any of these homes today?

Thank you again for your insight. At least you don’t have to worry about tornadoes - I presume your wife would find your “second” home more attractive during a tornado!

[Wilson513]

I have been trying to find a little farm with an abandoned coal mine in eastern KY or WVa for about 5 years. They used to dig tunnel type mines into hill sides in these parts and would take coal from veins by hand for personal home heating. When I was a boy there were lots of these around even as far north as Boone County, Ky. Where did they all go?

From a survivalist standpoint, nothing could be better than an abandon coal mine.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

THose mines are not like the ones you see in old western movies. The veins always slope and people would be in veins only 2 or 3 feet thick. Over the years a family would follow the vein further and further. There were collapses that killed people because these veins were much less safe than commercial mines. They are not suitable as dwellings.

Disclaimer: I have never been in any of these. I'm going on what "men from the hollers" spoke about back when I was in the military.

[Gungnir]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

THose mines are not like the ones you see in old western movies. The veins always slope and people would be in veins only 2 or 3 feet thick. Over the years a family would follow the vein further and further. There were collapses that killed people because these veins were much less safe than commercial mines. They are not suitable as dwellings.

Disclaimer: I have never been in any of these. I'm going on what "men from the hollers" spoke about back when I was in the military.

Yeah back where I come from there were drift mines that had to be closed when child labor laws prevented them working in the mines some of the seams were so narrow anyone over the age of about 10 years old couldn't get in them and swing a pick. This was back at the dawn of the 20th century I hasten to add, but, it shows how narrow some seams are.

Of course then there are other seams where you can drive a double decker bus through them and not hit the ceiling, it does depend on the location and the deposit.