How Do Tiny Houses Get Electricity?

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

How do tiny houses get electricity?

Tiny houses have become a popular housing option for those seeking a minimalist and sustainable lifestyle. However, one question often arises is how these tiny homes get electricity. Despite their small size, several options are available for powering these dwellings.

• Grid connection: Connects to a public electricity source, like traditional homes.
• Generators: Portable units that supply power in remote locations.
• Solar power: Solar panels are used to generate environmentally friendly electricity.
• Wind turbines: Produce electricity in areas with ample wind resources.
• Hybrid systems: Combines multiple methods for consistent electricity supply.

One of the common questions people ask once they are interested in embarking on the tiny house experience is electricity. 

How do tiny houses get electricity? Can we use plugs inside the house? Can we use the same appliances that we use in a fixed house? All these questions are reasonable, and the answers are easy yet varied.

One of the most incredible things about living in tiny houses is that you can cut down on electricity and water usage. You will start using them moderately and considerably. There are several methods to obtain access to essential utilities. 

How to get electricity to your tiny house depends on how much you need. The only way to know is to run a cord illegally and get busted.

Once you start living off-grid, you will realize that electricity can be generated from solar panels (the most expensive ones), standard hook-ups (the most common ones), power generators, or wind.

This article will briefly go through each of these ways to obtain electricity and explain the process. Depending on your budget and needs, you can choose the right one. Your budget will be the most prominent determinant of your choice.

Let’s look at how you can get electricity in your tiny house.

Standard Hook-ups

This is the most commonly used way to get electricity inside a tiny house. It works perfectly for those who don’t move around a lot.

That means they usually move once or twice a year, even if they have a tiny mobile house. You can find these hookups in the nearest backyard of a stranger or simply in an RV park.  

While this is not rocket science, you should keep some things in mind to make your journey more accessible and cost-effective. 

Before starting anything, you need to check the power supply box and cut off the power (just in case the camp Hookups have faulty installations that might burn all our electronics).

As you may know, an RV park requires a different power supply.

Therefore, a converter is essential if the camp does not provide the power you demand. Once you have checked all these, you can plug them in and play them. There you are!

This option may not be the best for pro-green people trying to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Solar Panels

Solar panels are the most popular power supply. They are considered standard off-grid hook-ups used by tiny house owners.

Once you don’t have access to services and utilities, Off-grid hook-ups help. They are primarily used in underdeveloped areas or isolated spots.

While some people use solar panels as an alternative solution to the power stock (in cases of emergencies), others use it as their primary source of power supply. 

The thing is that this electricity alternative is expensive, and not all people can afford it.

Therefore, before even considering purchasing solar panels, the first thing you have to do is estimate the energy needed to power your electronics and other needs. 

This initial procedure is essential to decide how many panels you need and your budget. Unfortunately, those who make wrong estimates end up purchasing larger systems that aren’t required.

So, they either overestimate or underestimate their power demands.

With the correct and exact estimations, you will see how much it is easier to manage the size dimension of your solar system.

Here are some of the advantages of using solar panels to generate power.

First thing, these panels are cost-effective. Nerdwallet claims that owners with solar panels’ power supply save up to 20 per dollar, on average. That’s good money once it adds up. 

Renewable energy companies are ready to make reasonable offers. They will be happy to see their products used and put on the market for good value.

Second, the government encourages and pushes people to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles. Consequently, energy tax laws are reduced and deductible. 

Third and last is the easy installation factor. Many think installing solar panels demands lots of effort, time, and energy, which is not the case.

The whole installation process only takes a couple of days to complete, and the outcome is more than rewarding and satisfying. 

It would help if you comprehended that your tiny house power supply would rely heavily on solar energy. Before installing, you must ensure your panels are well connected to the sun.

That means they must fit perfectly in positions where the sun shines the most, and the placements should be picked carefully.

Windmills

One of the green ways to produce electricity is by using windmills. Few people who live in tiny houses have mounted wind turbines on the roof cover of their homes and enjoy another renewable energy. 

Of course, we are not talking about those enormous windmills you see on a road trip across the country; those we are talking about are pretty much the smaller versions.

This electricity alternative is ideal for those who intend to live off-grid, especially in windy areas.

Using windmills comes with some benefits. First, it is very affordable and cost-friendly. It almost costs around half the price of using solar panel power supply at both investment and installation levels. Second, It is environment-friendly.

They are far from having a harmful or destructive effect on the environment as they don’t necessitate a power grid.

However, there are a couple of essential things to keep in mind. First, windmills rely heavily on the existence of winds; otherwise, they won’t be able to generate enough power to supply all your necessities.

Therefore, you must be careful with this choice and research and study before purchasing and installing one.

Second, they are vulnerable to damage in a lightning storm, and third, they can be quite noisy.

For your benefit, it is recommended that you use windmills hands-in-hand with solar panels as they both rely on certain climatic circumstances.

Power Generator

Another great option for off-grid hookups is a gas generator. You don’t have to worry about your power supply as long as you have one and can reload it anytime.

It will meet and satisfy your electricity needs. Different generators provide different supply capabilities.

For example, if you were to choose an electric generator, you would end up with a tiny storage volume that cannot fulfill all of your needs. Besides that, you will have to charge it more often. 

However, with a gas generator or other ones, you have to bring along some fuel, and you can live in peace. Therefore, you have to ensure you get yourself the right one. 

The Diesel fuel generator is the most prevalent one. It is cost-friendly and cost-effective. More importantly, it comes with the highest rate of electricity.

Some of the benefits of using a power generator include:

• Freedom of Movement

The greatest thing about living off-grid in a tiny house is to move freely and whenever you want.

While some people enjoy staying at one location for an extended period, others prefer to change locations quite often. That’s the joy of living in a tiny house, after all. Using a power generator makes this lifestyle more manageable and more convenient.

• Cost-effective

This is the deal for people who are reductive regarding daily power supplies. They often use their surroundings, especially outdoor spaces, to adapt to things around them.

• Environment-friendly Generator Alternative

While the idea might be challenging to absorb as it is difficult to diminish the carbon footprint, using a power generator is possible. Nowadays, people favor using propane tanks. The latter doesn’t require as much power as an average house would.

How Many Watts Do I Need for a Tiny House?

Understanding how many watts are needed to power a tiny house is crucial. On average, a tiny house consumes 3-4kW of power per day.

To ensure a consistent and reliable power supply, it is necessary to have a solar generator that can provide at least 3-4kW or more power.

The best approach to determine the total wattage required for a tiny house is to calculate the power requirement of each device and then add them up.

This way, you can accurately assess the energy needs of your tiny house and make informed decisions about the solar generator that best suits your requirements.

Wrapping Up

There are several ways for tiny houses to get electricity. One option is to connect the house to the public electricity grid, just like traditional homes.

This allows the tiny house access to a reliable and consistent power source. Another option is to use generators, portable units that can supply power in remote locations.

This is particularly useful for tiny houses that are located in areas where there is no access to the grid.

Additionally, solar power is a popular choice for tiny houses. The tiny house can generate electricity from the sun’s rays by installing solar panels on the roof or nearby.

This method is environmentally friendly and allows the tiny house to be self-sufficient and independent from the grid.

Wind turbines can produce electricity for tiny houses in areas with ample wind resources. These turbines harness the power of the wind and convert it into usable energy.

While this method may require a more significant initial investment, it provides a renewable and sustainable source of electricity for the tiny house.

Lastly, hybrid systems are another option for tiny houses to ensure a consistent electricity supply. These systems combine multiple methods, such as grid connection, generators, solar power, and wind turbines, to provide a reliable power source.

By combining these methods, tiny houses can tailor their electricity supply to their specific needs and location.

In conclusion, several options are available for tiny houses to obtain electricity.

Whether through a grid connection, generators, solar power, wind turbines, or a combination of methods, tiny house owners can choose the most suitable and sustainable option for their specific circumstances.

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