Tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, for very good reason. The smaller structure requires fewer materials to construct, run and maintain, leading to some serious potential savings in the long and short term. They can even have an impact on the resident, promoting minimalism and an overall positive change in behaviours and lifestyle habits. And, due to their size and ability to be relocated, they’re also perfect for off-grid living. In this post, we’ll explain what you need to know before you build your off-grid tiny house, and how it can hugely improve your sustainability.
What off-grid equipment you’ll need
For an entirely off-grid tiny home there is some extra equipment you’ll need to invest in. Some are obvious, like solar systems, generators, off-grid toilets and water tanks. You’ll also need a greywater system, grease trap and filtration system. And, like most houses, you’ll need to install gutters to divert rainwater away from the home. So, let’s get into what these entail.
How to power an off-grid tiny house
Easily the most common way to effectively power an off-grid tiny house is with solar panels. They’re a clean, green, sustainable source of renewable energy and will usually provide more than enough power for a tiny house, although this will depend on the number of people living in the house and the type of appliances being used.
These days, there are even solar systems that are designed specifically for tiny houses, including ours! Naturally, it’s important to be aware of where your tiny house is parked to get maximum sun exposure.
For those who are keen to park in the shade, however, we do offer a solar system mounted on a trailer. This offers the option to park the solar trailer in the most efficient location and connect it to the tiny house with a power lead.
What are your toilet options
While many people are hesitant about the toilet situation in off-grid tiny houses, they’re really not as daunting as they seem. There are two main off-grid toilet options available: composting and incinerating.
Composting toilets can vary depending on the brand but generally involve a fixed toilet with one or two compartments where biological waste is decomposed on site without needing chemicals, water, a sewerage system or a septic tank.
All composting toilets will require manual emptying when they’re full.
There are many design options, some even designed specifically for tiny houses, of which our favourite is the Clivus Multrum Low Profile from Ecoflow, as it’s compact, easy to install and maintain. For more information, check out our blog How Does a Composting Toilet Work in a Tiny House.
Incineration toilets, on the other hand, burn your biological waste at high temperatures to leave only a small amount of ash that’s stored in a compartment at the base. They’re an odorless option that require very little maintenance, but are more expensive than composting options. There are options specifically designed for tiny houses, but the best that’s available in the Australian market is the Cinderella from Scandinavian Eco Solutions.
Rainwater collection system
A rainwater collection system is a vital component of off-grid tiny living, but it can be confusing choosing the system that’s right for you. The first step is to work out how much water you consume. If you’re still living on the grid, you can find this out by checking your water bill. Then, it’s time to crunch some numbers and figure out exactly how much water your tiny home will be capable of harvesting.
Roughly speaking, 1 millimetre of rain on a roof that’s 1 square metre will result in 1 litre of water. To work it out for your specific home, use the following formula:
Annual rainfall (in millimetres) x roof surface area (in square metres) = roof catchment capacity
This figure is incredibly important to understand so that you can design a rainwater harvesting system and choose a tank size that will suit your home’s capacity. On top of this, a water filtration system is also necessary to avoid clogged pipes and ensure the water is suitable for consumption.
If you want pressure in your lines or your home can’t rely on gravity to get the water flowing, you’ll also need to install a water pump.
Grey water systems
Greywater is the wastewater from the shower, bathroom, kitchen sink and washing machine.
To avoid polluting our waterways, greywater should never be released into lakes, creeks or oceans so, with a greywater treatment system, it can be collected, treated and reused in the garden instead.
With a greywater system, all grey water passes through a filter and grease trap as it leaves the house. It then runs through a gravel pit outside before, finally, seeping into the garden.
You may need local council approval to install a greywater system and, to ensure your plants don’t get over or under watered, it’s best to consult a plumber.
Must-haves in your off-grid tiny house
Energy-efficient appliances
A significant portion of your home’s overall energy consumption is from your appliances, so choosing energy efficient options can significantly reduce the burden on your solar system. As technology improves, many newer appliances are much more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. If your budget allows it, newer, eco-friendly appliances are your best option for the long term.
Eco-friendly insulation
Sufficient insulation will also help reduce energy usage. In fact, good insulation can reduce your heating a cooling requirements by about 20%. And it is, of course, much better to choose an eco-friendly option such as Earthwool, that’s made from recycled materials.
LED lighting
Easily the most energy efficient lighting out there, LED lights use up to 80% less energy than regular incandescent lighting. They also have a much longer lifespan than traditional bulbs.
Natural lighting
Maximising the natural lighting in your tiny home will help reduce your home’s reliance on electricity. When you’re designing your tiny home, prioritise the placement of windows and skylights to allow plenty of natural light into all areas of your home.
Sustainability and environmentalism are more important than they ever have been and, while living tiny can help minimise your carbon footprint, off-grid solutions take it a step further.
With the options that are available today, you don’t need to sacrifice your lifestyle and comfort in the process. So, if you think tiny living is for you, get in touch with one of our consultants to learn how we can help you build an off-grid tiny house, that’ll help you and the environment.
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