Harnessing the Earth’s Energy: A Natural Solution for Comfortable Homes in Gilgit-Baltistan

By Syed Shamsuddin

ACROSS the world, people are rethinking how homes should be built in the face of climate stress. Unfortunately, in our part of the world—especially in Gilgit-Baltistan—we have turned our houses into concrete fortresses. These structures, far from providing comfort, often feel like furnaces in the summer and icehouses in the winter.

The challenge is not simply architectural—it is rooted in geography and demography. Gilgit-Baltistan is a highly mountainous region where summers can be scorching in the valleys and winters bitterly cold. Traditional timber-and-stone houses once offered some natural insulation, but rapid population growth and scarcity of land have forced people to abandon those methods. In crowded valleys, families are compelled to build upward, creating compact, concrete dwellings. While land-efficient, these “cement-and-iron boxes” intensify climatic extremes, making life inside intolerable for much of the year.

A Proposal Worth Considering

In this context, a recent idea shared by Yasir Arfat Lashari deserves serious consideration. He highlights a simple yet powerful solution already tested in many parts of the developed world: the geothermal or earth-air heat exchange system.

The principle is straightforward. At a depth of one to three meters below the ground, soil maintains a steady temperature—usually between 15°C and 25°C. By laying underground pipes at this depth, with one end connected to the outside air and the other linked to a home’s interior, air can be drawn through the soil. As it passes, the air’s temperature adjusts to that of the earth:

• In summer, the blazing hot air cools into a pleasant breeze.

• In winter, icy outdoor air warms up before entering the home.

With a small fan to circulate the airflow—and ideally in combination with heat-exchange ventilation—this system can reduce energy wastage by more than 80%.

Scientific Viability

The science behind this system is both proven and practical:

1. Stable Subsurface Temperatures – Even in regions with extreme seasonal shifts, soil temperature a few meters below ground remains relatively constant. In Gilgit-Baltistan, where surface air can exceed 35°C in summer and plunge below –15°C in winter, subsurface temperatures stabilize around the mean annual temperature of the valley—often within the 15–20°C range.

2. Natural Heat Exchange – Air moving through underground pipes exchanges heat with the soil. In summer, overheated air loses its excess warmth; in winter, frigid air gains heat from the earth.

3. Proven Technology – Countries like Germany, France, Canada, and the U.S. have used earth-air systems for homes, offices, and greenhouses for decades, often cutting heating and cooling costs by 60–80%.

4. Suitability for G-B – Compact, land-scarce dwellings in G-B are particularly well-suited for centralized ventilation systems. By designing homes with geothermal airflow in mind, households can achieve thermal comfort without over-reliance on wood stoves, diesel heaters, or electric air conditioners.

5. Long-Term Savings – Although excavation and pipe installation carry an initial cost, the system’s running expense is minimal—mostly the electricity for a small fan. Over time, households save on electricity bills, reduce forest depletion, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Why It Matters for Gilgit-Baltistan

For the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, this system could be transformative. Concretized dwellings are no longer a choice—they are a compulsion born of land scarcity. Yet these very structures amplify the extremes of the region’s harsh climate. If geothermal ventilation is adapted as a viable engineering solution, it could soften the brutal contrast of summer and winter and make compact homes truly livable.

The benefits are clear:

• Reduced dependence on electricity-hungry air conditioners and fuel-burning stoves.

• Lower household energy costs over time.

• Conservation of forests otherwise cut for firewood.

• A smaller carbon footprint, contributing to climate resilience.

Practical Challenges

The system does demand initial investment in excavation and pipe installation, which may seem costly at first. But in the long term, the savings in electricity, wood, and heating fuel more than repay this expense. Countries like Germany, Canada, and the United States have demonstrated its practicality for decades. There is no reason why it cannot be localized and adapted here, using cost-effective materials and indigenous engineering expertise.

The Way Forward

It is time for our engineers, architects, and policymakers to think beyond conventional housing models. Instead of building suffocating concrete cells, we must design homes that harmonize with natural forces.

In the unique setting of Gilgit-Baltistan—where land is scarce, populations are growing, and climatic extremes make life harder every year—this approach could provide not just comfort but also sustainability.

In short: The earth itself is ready to be our natural air-conditioner and heater. If we insist that our builders and planners adopt this nature-aligned technology, our homes can become sanctuaries rather than prisons.