A Comparative Analysis of Thermal Performance, Annual Energy Use, and Life Cycle Costs of Low-cost Houses Made with Mud Bricks and Earthbag Wall Systems

Given the high demand for low-cost houses by low-income earners, coupled with the tropical climate experienced in sub-Saharan Africa, the built housing stock needs utmost attention to cost, durability, and efficiency. With the walls accounting for a substantial proportion of the total building cost, the choice of a wall system for use in building construction is critical. This choice usually depends on how durable, comfortable, ecological, and economical a given system is, to meet both the quality standards and low-cost aspects of housing.

Although the earthbag building system allows for the construction of strong, affordable, and sustainable housing, it is not widely known. As such, its sustainable characteristics have gone unrecognized throughout the building industry. This paper examines and compares the thermal properties and total Life Cycle Costs (LCC) of earthbag walls with the commonly used burnt brick walls – based on the Degree-Days method and Life Cycle Costing analyses of building walls located in one of the hottest regions in Uganda.

Also Read: Natural Ventilation in Low-Cost Housing: An Evaluation by CFD