Going Off-Grid
Going off-grid with a Tiny Home has become a significant choice for many who embrace the Tiny lifestyle. Whether you're planning to go off-grid or just considering it, we’ve compiled detailed information on how we would set up the site, manage utility supplies, and handle ongoing maintenance.
Through years of working with our customers and living off-grid ourselves, we have tested countless methods to determine what works and what doesn’t.
Below, you'll find the various topics we will cover:
Where to place your Tiny Home / Site preparation
Power supply
Water supply
Waste management / Greywater
Rubbish management
Where to Put Your Tiny Home & Site Preparation
Once you’ve secured the land for your Tiny Home, it’s essential to carefully plan the site layout to make the most of sunlight, tree placement, and overall site preparation. Start by observing the sunlight throughout the day to identify the optimal position that maximises exposure. This will help ensure your Tiny Home benefits from natural light for the majority of the day. If you prefer some shade, consider positioning your home near trees, but it's advisable to consult with a horticulturist to assess the health and stability of the surrounding trees.
As we always recommend, preparing your site before the arrival of your Tiny Home is crucial. Once you’ve identified the ideal spot, we strongly suggest pouring a concrete slab or installing footings for the stabiliser legs, ensuring your Tiny Home rests on solid ground. Taking these steps not only provides long-term support but also aligns with insurance requirements, as insurers typically require a stable foundation to minimise risks such as landslides or other ground-related issues. Proper site preparation is vital for both the longevity of your Tiny Home and the peace of mind that comes with secure placement.
2. Power Supply
Choosing to live off-grid in a Tiny Home is a decision that offers unparalleled freedom and sustainability. One of the most crucial elements of an off-grid lifestyle is how you power your home, and for many, a solar system becomes the optimal choice. Although going solar requires a higher upfront investment and meticulous planning, the long-term benefits make it a highly valuable option.
Once you’ve decided that going off-grid with solar is the right choice for your Tiny Home, follow these essential steps to ensure a successful setup:
1. Consult with a Local Solar Expert: Engage with a solar energy expert who understands the specific requirements of off-grid systems. They can help you choose the right type of solar panels, batteries, and inverters that suit your energy needs and geographic location.
2. Design and Planning: Work closely with your consultant to design a system that accommodates your daily energy consumption, seasonal variations in sunlight, and potential future expansions. Consider battery storage solutions that can provide power during cloudy days or at night.
3. System Delivery and Installation: Once your system is designed, arrange for the delivery of the solar panels, batteries, and other components to your Tiny Home site. Professional installation is recommended to ensure everything is set up correctly and efficiently.
4. Ongoing Maintenance: Although solar systems are generally low-maintenance, regular checks and cleaning of panels can help maintain optimal performance. Your solar expert can provide guidance on how to keep your system running smoothly.
5. Backup Power Considerations: While solar power can provide most, if not all, of your energy needs, it’s wise to consider a backup generator or other alternative power source for emergency situations, especially during extended periods of low sunlight.
Going off-grid with solar power for your Tiny Home in Australia is more than just a lifestyle choice; it’s an investment in a sustainable future. By carefully planning your solar setup, you can enjoy the freedom and peace of mind that comes with being self-sufficient.
3. Water Supply
When choosing to live off-grid in a Tiny Home, water management becomes a key consideration. Without access to mains water, you need practical and sustainable solutions to ensure a steady supply of clean water. The two most reliable options are a rainwater harvesting system or a water truck delivery service. Both methods have their unique benefits and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your household.
Water Truck Delivery Service
Water truck deliveries are a popular choice for many off-grid Tiny Home owners, offering a dependable and convenient alternative to mains water. Typically, a delivery of 10,000 litres of premium water costs between $200 and $250. This method provides peace of mind, especially during dry seasons or in areas with low rainfall, ensuring you always have a sufficient supply of clean water.
Rainwater Harvesting System
For those who prefer a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach, installing a rainwater harvesting system is an excellent option. This system collects and stores rainwater from your roof, which can then be filtered and used for drinking, cooking, and other household needs. Australia’s varied climate, with its periods of heavy rainfall, makes rainwater harvesting a viable solution for many off-grid homes. However, it’s essential to factor in seasonal variations and ensure your system is designed to capture and store enough water to meet your needs during drier months.
Determining the Right Tank Size
Selecting the appropriate tank size is crucial for both water truck deliveries and rainwater harvesting systems. For a couple, a 10,000-litre water tank is generally adequate, providing enough water for several weeks to months, depending on usage. For a family of four, a 20,000-litre tank is more suitable, offering greater capacity to meet the higher water demands.
However, these are general guidelines, and the actual tank size required can vary significantly based on factors such as your location, water usage habits, and the availability of rainfall or water deliveries. Consulting with a local water tank specialist is essential. They can help you accurately assess your monthly water usage and advise on the best tank size and system setup for your specific situation. This assessment should consider daily consumption for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and gardening, as well as potential fluctuations in water availability.
Additional Considerations
Water Quality and Filtration: If you’re using rainwater, it’s crucial to invest in a high-quality filtration system to ensure the water is safe for drinking and household use. Regular maintenance of your gutters, downpipes, and tanks is also important to prevent contamination.
Water Conservation Practices: Living off-grid often means being more conscious of your water usage. Simple practices like installing low-flow showerheads, fixing leaks promptly, and using water-efficient appliances can significantly reduce your overall consumption, helping to make your water supply last longer.
Backup Water Supply: Even with a well-designed system, it’s wise to have a backup water supply plan in place. This could involve having a smaller additional tank, keeping bottled water on hand, or scheduling regular water deliveries during the dry season.
Water management is a critical aspect of off-grid living, and having the right system in place ensures you can enjoy the comforts of your Tiny Home without compromising on sustainability. Whether you opt for water truck deliveries or a rainwater harvesting system, careful planning and consultation with experts will help you make the best choice for your off-grid lifestyle. With the right setup, you can achieve a reliable, self-sufficient water supply that supports your needs year-round.
4. Waste Management / Greywater
Effective waste management is a critical aspect of living off-grid in a Tiny Home, and fortunately, there are several viable options to consider. Whether you’re managing human waste or greywater from sinks and showers, it’s essential to choose a system that aligns with your sustainability goals.
Waste Management:
1. Composting Toilets: Composting toilets have become increasingly popular among Tiny Home owners due to their sustainability and eco-friendliness. These toilets convert waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be safely used in gardens, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. They are also relatively low-maintenance and, when properly managed, are odourless. Composting toilets are an excellent option for those looking to minimise their environmental impact and live more sustainably off-grid.
2. Incinerating Toilets: In situations where your Tiny Home is located near a water source, such as a creek, river, or dam, an incinerating toilet might be the only permissible option. These toilets use gas or electricity to burn waste into sterile ash, which can then be easily disposed of. While incinerating toilets require an energy source and regular maintenance, they offer a clean and hygienic solution, especially in areas with strict environmental regulations.
3. Flush Toilets with Septic Systems: For those who prefer a more traditional setup, a flush toilet connected to a septic tank is another option. This system requires a properly installed septic tank, which treats and disposes of wastewater on-site. While this option mimics the convenience of a conventional home, it requires careful planning and adherence to local health and environmental standards.
Greywater Management:
Greywater from showers, sinks, and washing machines, also requires proper management in an off-grid set up. Reusing greywater for irrigation is a common practice, but it’s important to ensure the water is treated and filtered to avoid harming plants or contaminating the environment.
1. Greywater Systems: Installing a greywater treatment system allows you to recycle water for use in your garden, reducing the demand on your primary water supply. These systems filter out impurities, making the water safe for irrigation. However, it’s crucial to use eco-friendly soaps and detergents to prevent harmful chemicals from entering the greywater system.
2. Soakage Trenches and Reed Beds: For those looking for a more natural approach, soakage trenches or reed beds can be used to filter and disperse greywater into the ground. These systems mimic natural processes, using soil and plants to cleanse the water before it returns to the environment. This method is particularly suited to larger properties where there is space to allow for natural filtration.
When planning waste and greywater management for your off-grid Tiny Home, it’s essential to consult with local experts to ensure your system complies with regional regulations and environmental guidelines. Proper installation and regular maintenance are key to ensuring your system operates efficiently and sustainably.
Choosing the right waste management and greywater solutions for your off-grid Tiny Home not only supports a sustainable lifestyle but also protects the surrounding environment. By carefully considering your options and planning ahead, you can create a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly system that complements your off-grid living experience.
5. Rubbish Management
Managing household rubbish effectively is an essential aspect of off-grid living in a Tiny Home. Depending on your location, you have several viable options to ensure that waste disposal is both practical and environmentally responsible.
For those living in more accessible areas, you may be able to arrange regular rubbish collection through your local council or a private waste management company. These services typically offer weekly or fortnightly kerbside collections, where you can utilise household bins provided for general waste, recycling, and sometimes even green waste.
If you’re situated in a more remote area where kerbside collection isn’t available, you will need to manage rubbish disposal yourself. This involves collecting and sorting your household waste, ensuring that recyclables, compostables, and general waste are separated. Once sorted, you can transport the rubbish to your nearest rubbish depot or waste transfer station. It’s also worth considering composting organic waste on-site to reduce the amount of rubbish that needs to be disposed of and to create a useful by-product for your garden.
For off-grid Tiny Home living, minimising waste is also an important consideration. By adopting practices like reducing packaging waste, reusing materials, and recycling as much as possible, you can significantly reduce the amount of rubbish you need to manage. Composting food scraps and green waste is another excellent way to reduce waste volume and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.