Self-sustaining ‘earthship’ home in Manitoba up for grabs on Kijiji
An out-of-this-world, rural Manitoba home is up for grabs, offering buyers a chance to live in a self-sustaining, off-grid oasis.
Kim Chase has listed her 1,800 square-foot earthship home on Kijiji for $445,000.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom structure is situated on 66 acres of land and was designed by Michael Reynolds, an architect known for developing ‘earthship’ style homes, engineered to be off the grid, with little reliance on utilities and fossil fuels.
Chase purchased the earthship two years ago. The chance to live a greener life is what drew her to the home about 30 minutes north of Winnipeg, she said.
“It was not so much the off grid lifestyle, but just a smaller footprint, and not using the finite resources that we do have,” she said.
Owner Kim Chase said the home's atrium-style design creates some picturesque days inside its glass-paned walls.(Image Source: Kim Chase/Kijiji)
Over two years, Chase added about $15,000 worth of upgrades, from installing a new water heating system to replacing batteries.
The first year in particular brought its challenges.
“It was at the height of lockdown. I had no hot water and trouble with the plumbing, and I couldn't even go to a friend's place to have a shower or do laundry,” she recalled.
“So it was it was kind of an interesting first year, for sure.”
Plumbing issues behind it now, the home gets its heat and electricity primarily from the sun with help from a woodstove. The house is cooled with a cross-ventilation system in the summer. Water is provided by rainwater catchment. A grey water system waters the plants in a picturesque greenhouse before being recycled for toilets.
The setup keeps utility bills very affordable, Chase said, and the atrium-style design creates some picturesque days inside its glass-lined walls.
“Especially when it's 40 below outside and I’m in a T-shirt in my atrium. It's pretty nice. As long as the sun is shining, it's warm in there,” she said.
The 1,800 square-foot earthship home is located about 30 minutes north of Winnipeg on 66 acres of sprawling land. (Image Source: Kim Chase/Kijiji)
Chase is parting with the home to be closer to family in Alberta.
Since listing the home over the weekend, Chase has had several showings with more on the books this week.
“You're always going to get lots of ‘I really want to see this house’ type people who aren't necessarily serious about buying one. But it's pretty beautiful. Once you get inside too, it's really quite amazing,” she said.
She believes eco-conscious homes, like earthships, will start to have a wider appeal as the years go on, owing to supply chain issues and ballooning inflation rates.
“We're looking at shortages of products. Growing your own food never looked so good,” she said.
“The country lifestyle and maybe having a few chickens and some goats - it makes a lot of sense. It's clean and it's fun. It just requires a little bit more thinking.”
Over two years, owner Kim Chase has put about $15,000 worth of upgrades into the home, including new eavestrough and a water heating system. (Image Source: Kim Chase/Kijiji)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.