How much insulation value do you get from earthbags filled with soil?
Soil is generally a very good thermal mass material and very poor at insulating, except that, because earthbag walls are usually quite thick they do provide some insulation from the outside temperature. The problem is that once the bagged material gets warm or cold it likes to stay that way for a long time, which can mean uncomfortable temperatures inside. In climates with extremes of temperature (either hot or cold) it is best to fill the bags with an insulating material. Q: In designing a hybrid passive solar home for myself, your idea of using scoria in earthbags fits my particular needs* perfectly in ONE of the exterior walls (*a material unaffected by moisture yet insulating, thick for aesthetics, inexpensive, natural & easy). My concern though is its R-value. From what I have been able to find, it is only .6 to .8 per inch….which, is less than half of what I’m looking for. However, you have mentioned an efficiency in your earthbag/papercrete home which would indicate something
