Earthships: The Self-Sufficient Homes Busting Energy Bills

What is an Earthship?

American architect Michael Reynolds (pictured) created the first Earthship in the 1970s, after hearing stories about mounting landfill sites and the lack of affordable housing. He set up Earthship Biotecture, which is now the world's pioneering construction and design company for homes of this kind.

Built from eco-building materials such as cans, tyres, bottles, and mud, Earthships are totally self-sufficient—producing their own electricity, heating, and food while featuring sustainable rainwater harvesting and sewage systems too. 

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Snap up a striking, self-sufficient eco home

Earthships showcase the beauty of organic architecture and clever, eco-friendly design. These incredible residential structures not only look amazing but provide their owners with everything they need to live a comfortable, self-sufficient life with no utility bills. Let's explore the most amazing Earthships for sale right now.

Community Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $420,000

This rustic and remote home is situated inside The Greater World Earthship Community in El Prado, New Mexico, a unique housing development that was created by Reynolds. The community is enclosed by 630 acres and each of the 60 homes currently on the site enjoys its own sprawling yard, for maximum privacy. What's more, 347 acres of land here is designated green belt, which means it will never be built upon.  

Community Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $420,000

This particular community crib comes complete with more than 12 acres of land, as well as 1,056 square feet of inside space. Though compact, the eco home has plenty of room for a couple. There's a living room, a dining zone, a kitchen, one bedroom and one bathroom.

Community Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $420,000

The kitchen is perhaps the nicest room in the house, thanks to its high, wood-clad ceiling, wall of windows, and quirky layout. Though many of the inside spaces could do with revamping, the property is move-in ready.

Community Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $420,000

Thanks to the construction methods used to form the building, some of the rooms feature offbeat alcoves, rounded walls and unusual built-ins. Plus, every window enjoys 360-degree views across the surrounding valley.

Community Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $420,000

The rural home also comes equipped with a lovely courtyard, a pretty patio, and well-maintained landscaping. What's more, it recently received a brand-new solar panel set-up and high-end energy system, so the new owner need not worry about much when moving in. If you'd like to snap the pad up, it's currently for sale with BEX Realty for $420,000.

Off-grid estate, New Mexico, USA: $595,000

If you're seeking an off-grid estate in New Mexico, USA, then this place could well be for you. Nestled on two acres in El Prado, Taos County, the unique home provides space, land, and plenty of kooky design details, all for $595,000.

Off-grid estate, New Mexico, USA: $595,000

The interior can be accessed via a beautiful, sunlit greenhouse garden, where various fruits and vegetables thrive year-round. From here, you’ll find an open-plan layout, complete with a living room, kitchen, dining space, two bedrooms, and one bathroom.

Off-grid estate, New Mexico, USA: $595,000

The floorplan is laid out across 1,943 square feet and though the interior design could do with some modernization, there are plenty of things to love. These include the home's exposed ceiling beams, natural timber floors, adobe-plastered walls, bottled accents, flagstone, and brick floors.

Off-grid estate, New Mexico, USA: $595,000

Cozy and inviting, every room benefits from lovely views across the surrounding landscape and some even have access to a private patio. The home’s floor-to-ceiling windows also bring plenty of light inside. Yet this unusual house is harboring a little secret...

Off-grid estate, New Mexico, USA: $595,000

That's right, this pad comes complete with a secret tunnel! The listing is keeping the purpose and location of the passageway under wraps though. Other plus points include the home’s independent utility system, solar panels, rainwater and snowmelt harvesting system, and natural ventilation, so the interior is kept at a consistent temperature all year round and produces all of its own energy.

Model Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $825,000

Another option for house-hunters in New Mexico, this stunning Earthship in Tres Piedras is stylish, sleek and spacious, and it's also a global model that many other Earthships have been based on. It's been featured in magazines like Forbes, and on various TV shows, including Netflix's The World's Most Extraordinary Homes. What's more, it lies inside the Greater World Earthship Community, so you just know you'll be in safe hands. Let's take a closer look...

Model Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $825,000

According to the listing agent, Berkshire Hathaway, the property is the "luxury crown and pinnacle of Mike Reynolds’ 50+ years of Earthship evolution", meaning this pad isn't just cool, it's iconic. The incredible Earthship was custom designed and is environmentally friendly, sustainable and off-grid, yet boasts all the modern amenities and comforts of a luxury new build.

Model Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $825,000

The house measures 2,700 square feet and comes complete with an interior yard, a lovely open-plan living room, dining space and kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. From its rustic ceiling beams to its hand-shaped walls and fireplaces, along with gorgeous wall murals decorated with reclaimed glass, the property offers plenty of unique touches that make it one of a kind.

Model Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $825,000

The awesome off-grid home has 11-foot viga beamed ceilings and eight-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow the interior to seamlessly merge with the surrounding scenery. The landscaped yard has a 10-foot bottle wall, a custom latilla gate and a small labyrinth, offering seclusion and privacy while maximizing uninterrupted views of the beautiful Taos mountains and high Mesa desert. 

Model Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $825,000

Other plus points include the home’s two-car garage, the 1,000-square-foot food-producing yard, which boasts an aquaponic system, the koi pond, a Japanese floating cedar deck and a panoramic barrel sauna. Just imagine taking a seat in here and soaking up the scenery from the sauna's glass wall while your troubles melt away. All this is up for grabs for £680,100 ($825k).

Truchas Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $950,000

If that option doesn't work for you, then how about this one? Located just down the road in the same Earthship community, this pretty property has plenty of space—including a two-acre backyard—and is listed with New Mexico Mountain Properties for $950,000. 

Truchas Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $950,000

Off-grid living at its finest, the Truchas Earthship was constructed from top-quality materials, inside and out, making it eco-friendly, efficient and top-of-the-line. Spanning 2,600 square feet, the interior benefits from a huge atrium yard, which runs the length of the building. Filled with mature plants that are fed by the home's grey water system, this indoor oasis was designed for the green-fingered.

Truchas Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $950,000

The self-sufficient spread would be the ideal place to see out a zombie invasion, thanks to its remote setting and inviting interior. Across the home's single floor, you'll find an open-plan living zone with a lounge, dining space and kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

Truchas Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $950,000

Akin to a modern cave house, many of the property's rooms feel like they're located below the ground, yet it's perfectly light and bright. From its high ceilings, rustic beams and quirky built-in cabinetry, there's much to love about this characterful little pad. However, some of the spaces could do with modernizing, such as the kitchen.

Truchas Earthship, New Mexico, USA: $950,000

Yet one of our favorite spaces has to be the beautiful bathroom. This amazing room is a showcase of reclaimed and recycled materials, but it's entirely inviting, with bags of wow-factor. The handmade shower boasts gorgeous glass embellishments, while the indoor yard is truly on-trend. Plus, you can enjoy incredible views while you soak. We'll wait here while you put in an offer...

State-of-the-art Earthship, Colorado, USA: $1.2 million

This awesome home was built in 2015 from eco building materials and, like all true Earthships, produces its own electricity and heating, thanks to its solar set-up. It also offers rainwater harvesting and a sewage system, as well as ample yard space for growing your own food. Located in Loveland, Colorado, the pad is up for grabs via Compass for a little under $1.2 million, but for your money, you'll gain plenty of space, style and privacy.

State-of-the-art Earthship, Colorado, USA: $1.2 million

The incredible home is located on a private, 24-acre mountaintop plot and boasts a near 3,000-square-foot interior. As well as being eco-friendly and sustainable, this property is also highly stylish. Head inside and you'll be greeted by light-filled rooms with high ceilings, large picture windows and striking architectural elements. Described by Compass as "beautiful and yet functional," it benefits from top-quality finishes and high-end materials throughout. 

State-of-the-art Earthship, Colorado, USA: $1.2 million

Modern, bright and rustic, the décor includes natural timber elements, hand-finished mud walls and corrugated metal finishes. Plus, we love the home's soaring and vaulted ceilings. Across the property, there's a living room, dining area, a beautiful kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an art studio, which could easily be turned into a home office or a guest suite.

State-of-the-art Earthship, Colorado, USA: $1.2 million

It isn't hard to see that the remote off-grid house was designed and engineered by a highly-skilled team. Every space has been crafted to make the most of the exterior scenery. The home is also highly efficient and runs to Passive House standards, meaning you'll likely never have to pay a utility bill ever again. 

State-of-the-art Earthship, Colorado, USA: $1.2 million

The home's secluded and sprawling backyard comes equipped with a solar-heated hot tub, an exterior deck and plenty of room for growing your own food. There are no neighbors for miles around or streetlights in the area, meaning you'll be able to stargaze whenever you like.

Luxurious off-grid estate, Colorado, USA: $3 million

If you've got a bulging bank account and want to snap up a home that combines space, seclusion and business opportunities, then your search is well and truly over. Located on the edge of Jumping Tree Trail in rural Montrose, Colorado, this incredible property really does have it all.

Luxurious off-grid estate, Colorado, USA: $3 million

For sale via Sotheby's International Realty for a little less than $3 million, the lavish estate spans more than 54 acres and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Known as Jumping Tree Ranch, the off-grid spread comes equipped with not one, but two very unique homes, including a gorgeous Earthship with walls of glass that frame the surrounding scenery.

Luxurious off-grid estate, Colorado, USA: $3 million

In total, the new owner will gain 4,016 square feet of inside space. The Earthship was designed in 2020 by Michael Reynolds himself, making it a truly modern version of the architect's age-old vision. Inside, there's a spacious entrance hall, an indoor vegetable garden, a lounge, a large kitchen, a dining zone, an office, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Luxurious off-grid estate, Colorado, USA: $3 million

We adore the home's rustic ceiling beams, oversized windows, sleek walls and floors, handmade kiva fireplaces and unusual tiled details. Almost every window benefits from jaw-dropping views of the Grand Mesa to the north, sweeping across the Cimarron Ridge all the way to the Sneffels Range in the south. Just picture pulling up a chair at the dining table and enjoying your morning eggs with this specular landscape right outside.

Luxurious off-grid estate, Colorado, USA: $3 million

There’s also a modern guest house with two additional bedrooms, a spacious living area and a garage, making it perfect for visitors. It could even be turned into a cool vacation home. Plus, the two cutting-edge properties are solar-powered and come with a catch basin for water filtration, meaning the new owner could live entirely off the grid. Oh, and did we mention there are two outdoor hot tubs with mountain views? If this is eco living, then we'd happily make the switch!

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