Bunkers have long been used to protect people from danger, whether in the form of a natural disaster or other human beings. From cave dwellers looking for shelter from the rain to civilians trying to avoid bombs during World War II, people have always found safety and security in bunkers and underground dwellings.

While the idea of living in an underground bunker has gone out of fashion, more and more people are revisiting the idea due to the amount of security and the advantages that living in bunkers can provide. Some are even using their savings to secure for themselves a more comfortable underground residence.

Not everybody can afford a $25,000 bunker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t invest in one yourself. Here are four advantages of building an underground bunker:

Space

An underground bunker is perfect for maximizing the amount of land you own. If you want to become a self-sufficient prepper, the roof of your underground bunker can be turned into a small garden or even a solar farm. Your bunker can be as large as the plot of land you own. (Related: Considerations you need to know before bugging out to a makeshift bunker.)

Heating and cooling

One main advantage of building an underground bunker is the fact that you are less likely to spend a lot on electric bills. The insulation in your new underground home can be truly wonderful. If you build your bunker at least six feet below the surface, you won’t need to spend a lot on heating even during the cold winter months.

There are also ways to build your bunker that can maximize insulation. If you build your home on the side of a south-facing hill, you can give your home some passive solar heating during the winter months. Even just creating a small, artificial hill on top of your bunker can be a great way to maintain its internal temperature without using electric cooling and heating systems.

Defense

An underground bunker is perfect for protecting yourself. The layers of earth and rock can prevent any stray bullets from making their way in, and your underground home is the perfect place to defend against any intruder since it can only be approached from one direction. If you set up some security systems, such as cameras and sensors to warn you of danger, your underground bunker can basically turn into an impenetrable fortress.

Maintenance

You will be saving a lot of money due to the lack of exterior maintenance you need to do. You won’t have to buy paint for your walls, and you won’t have to repair shattered windows or leaky roofs. Don’t forget that you still have to take into consideration the maintenance needed for your bunker’s interiors.

Before you begin building your bunker, know that it will require a lot of investment. Luckily, you don’t have to pay everything upfront at the same time. However, it will be cheaper than buying a plot of land in a remote part of the country and building an above-ground home there.

You will need enough space in your shelter for food and water supplies, for draining out used up water, for getting rid of waste and, if you desire, for some kind of generator so you can keep yourself off the grid.

There are other factors to consider, but what’s important is that you’re preparing right now. More and more people are investing in underground shelters. It’s time you do the same before a disaster strikes.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

TheSun.co.uk

BusinessInsider.com