Family in Sweden Turn Their Home Into Giant Greenhouse to Keep Heating Bills Down

Here’s an alternative way to deal with those ever-increasing winter heating costs: turn your home into a giant greenhouse!

Have you ever wondered how to save money on heating bills in cold climates? Well, one family in Sweden has found a creative solution: they transformed their home into one big greenhouse!

The family’s house was constructed from wood, making it quite cold and uncomfortable during the cold winter months, especially given the extremely low temperatures experienced during January nights in Sweden.

Marie Granmar and Charles Sacilotto didn’t want to move out of their home until summer returned, so they devised a clever plan: they decided to encase their house in a large glass shelter, harnessing the sunlight to maintain a warm interior throughout the year.

The greenhouse is made of sturdy security glass to make the structure highly resistant to breakage and effectively shield the interior of the house from wind and rain. And, of course, it also traps the heat from the sun and creates a warm and cozy environment inside. The family also grows their own fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse, which reduces their grocery expenses and their environmental impact.

The idea came from architect Bengt Warne, who designed the first “Naturhus” (Nature House) in the 1970s. He wanted to create a living space that was in harmony with nature and used renewable energy sources. The family was inspired by his vision and decided to build their own Naturhus with the help of another architect, Anders Solvarm.

The greenhouse extension is not the sole remarkable feature of the house; it is also entirely self-sufficient when it comes to handling sewage independently from the city. Crafted by Charles, a self-taught engineer, the sewage system commences with a toilet that separates urine, and it employs centrifuges, cisterns, grow beds, and garden ponds for water filtration and composting of waste materials.

As he explains, ‘it’s not just to use the nature, the sun, and the water, but… it’s all a philosophy of life, to live in another world, in fact.’

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The project cost about $84,000 and took six months to complete. The family says they are very happy with the result and enjoy living in their greenhouse home. They report they feel closer to nature and have a healthier lifestyle. They also save about 50% on their heating bills compared to a conventional house.

So while other families remain indoors, patiently waiting for the weather to become warm enough to venture outside and relish nature, Marie and Charles have the luxury of sitting on their porch, experiencing the sensation of being outdoors without needing to endure the elements.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5