Four ways to heat your tiny home

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Wood burning stoves

Wood stoves look great and give that cabin feel to tiny homes. If you live somewhere that gathering firewood isn't a problem, a little fireplace might be a great choice for you. They don't require any electricity and put off great heat. I know that a wood stove is on the top of my list! Some people actually have both a wood stove and a secondary heating method (particularly those who are moving around a lot) for times when getting firewood isn't an option. A Norweigan company called Jotul is a popular choice for tiny house enthusiasts because of their excellent craftsmanship and affordable pricing. You can take a look at their products on their Canadian site here. Wood stoves vary in price, but expect to spend anywhere from $500-$5000+.

 

Pellet stoves

Pellet stoves are a great option for people who want a wood stove but don't have access to firewood. Pellets are made of recycled compressed materials and create less ash and creosote than wood burning fireplaces (meaning less of a fire hazard due to build up). They are extremely efficient and produce very little smoke. The downside to pellet stoves? They require electricity to run and they are pretty darn pricey, running well over $1000. Check out Northwest Stoves for a Canadian source of pellet stoves.

 

Gas/propane heaters

Gas or propane heaters seem to be the most popular heating choice for tiny homes. They are efficient, small, and still have a nice flame to look at. They are also mounted on the wall, clearing up valuable floor space. They are fairly costly (over $1000) but reliable and safe. Dickinson Marine is the place to look for marine heaters, also available at many marine stores. Did I mention how tiny they are???

 

Electric

If access to electricity isn't an issue for you than this is definitely the cheapest method. Any stores like Rona, Walmart, etc have a wide variety of electric heaters, ranging from $50 oil heaters to $400 infra-red heaters.

So there you have it! The most common heating methods for tiny homes. Which one is your favourite?

5 Unexpected Benefits of Having Less Stuff

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"During 2015, I have been on a mission to rid myself of clutter.

I always considered myself a minimalist who had far less stuff than others, but my overflowing bookcases and closets said otherwise.

The truth is, I had a lot of junk. Tons of it, in fact, although I didn’t call it junk.

When it came to my precious books for example, I said they were an investment of sorts. I said that one day, my children were going to read those books and I convinced myself that they gave my home a certain amount of class and character. The reality was, though, that all they were doing was taking up valuable space. The vast majority of the ones I parted with were ones I had for years that I had never even attempted to read and probably never would."


Read the full article here.