There is a housing trend in the country that relies on people building or buying tiny houses. This tiny living trend is a social movement where people are downsizing to focus on smaller spaces and simplified living. Tiny homes come in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and a typical tiny or tiny home is about 100-400 square feet.

Reasons to go small

People join the tiny house movement for many reasons, such as environmental concerns, financial concerns, and seeking more time and freedom. Some of the reasons why people decide to downsize include:

Mobility – Some of these tiny homes have been converted into Mobile Park Model RVs. This allows owners to bypass the stricter building codes required for permanent residential buildings. It also means that these homes are small enough to be towed behind a truck or lifted onto a flatbed or large trailer and moved at will.

Reduced carbon footprint – A smaller home means less lumber and other building materials, fewer and fewer appliances, and less space to heat and cool.^1:. The use of renewable energy, such as solar and/or wind power, is a key factor in reducing the carbon footprint.

Lower taxes – The more you pay, the more you are taxed. Therefore, a smaller home equals a smaller tax bill.

Little or no debt – 78% of tiny house owners own a home (ie have paid off their mortgage or bank loan), compared to 65% of traditional house owners.^2:. Furthermore, 89% of tiny house dwellers have less credit card debt than the average American, and 65% have zero credit card debt.^3:.

Self-sufficiency – Many tiny houses are built off the grid. Adding an off-grid solar power system from Unbound Solar allows tiny homeowners to become their own electric company. In addition to energy, many tiny house owners also need to secure their plumbing and water systems. This trend is clearly for DIY enthusiasts.

Low average price to build – The average cost to build a tiny home is $23,000 if owner built. Compare that to the $272,000 average price for a standard-size home, which would balloon to more than $481,000 when you factor in interest on a 30-year loan.^4:.

States with the largest number of tiny houses.

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Texas
• Wisconsin

Taking a tiny home off the grid

Another benefit of living in a tiny house is the ease and ability to go off the grid. There is a direct connection between tiny houses and living off the grid. Living with fewer things and more experiences is a key driver of the tiny house movement, and living off the grid allows tiny house dwellers to take that simplicity even further.

“The beauty of the tiny house movement is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for those who want to go tiny. With the right resources, anyone can join the network if they want to. Conversely, the smaller the home, the less energy is required to operate efficiently, so off-grid systems are an easy match.” — Laura LaVoie, Tiny House Owner, North Carolina

Solar systems for small homes

The downsizing trend should continue when it comes to tiny house feeding. Tiny house dwellers who plan to switch electrical appliances to solar power should consider purchasing energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.

They should insulate their home to a high standard and look for opportunities to let in more light, which reduces reliance on electric lighting. These conservation steps will help reduce the size of the installation needed and help maximize the solar energy produced.

Solar systems can be designed to meet any electricity requirement, no matter how big or small. However, it depends on the available space and budget.

Unbound Solar’s off-grid experts can design custom solar systems that will provide the perfect amount of energy so little living enthusiasts can enjoy all the amenities they choose. After all, just because tiny home owners are downsizing doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy all the modern luxuries they want to make their tiny house feel like home.

The tiny house movement is gaining interest not only for its novelty, but also for its appeal of cost reduction, reduced environmental impact, and the desire for a simpler lifestyle. The reduced square footage and environmental footprint provide a practical, efficient solution for the adventurous homeowner.

At Unbound Solar, we don’t just sell solar, we live it. If you’re wondering what size solar system is right for your tiny home project, call one of our solar design experts at 1-800-472-1142.

Sources:
1. https://custommade.com/blog/tiny-house-movement/
2. https://www.census.gov
3. https://www.nerdwallet.com
4. https://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/