The Beginner’s Guide to Tiny Home Off-Grid Living

Thinking about getting off the grid and embracing minimalistic, tiny home living? Read on, here is what you need to know...

As housing costs continue to rise in many areas across Australia, an increasing percentage of the population find themselves looking for alternative living arrangements, and many people are being drawn to the idea of tiny home off-grid living.

For the uninitiated, living "off the grid" essentially means disconnecting oneself from the electrical grid and becoming more self-sufficient and independent, while "tiny homes" are small, self-contained dwellings that are seeing a big surge in popularity around Australia and other nations.
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It can seem quite daunting to cut oneself off from the standard power systems and pursue a new way of life, but it can also be quite exciting too, and many people are drawn to the idea of living a more eco-friendly and natural life. So how do you go about it? This guide will aim to answer all of the big questions.

What Is Off-Grid Living All About?

​​As stated above, the most basic definition of off-grid living is when a person cuts themselves off from the electrical grid and makes their own energy in other ways, but the concept has a much deeper meaning than that to many of the people who practice it.
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A lot of people see off-grid living as a way to get back to nature and be kinder to the planet too. Many people go much further than removing themselves from the electrical grid; they also start growing their own food, raising their own animals, collecting rainwater to reuse, and so on.
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​What are the benefits?

here are many potential benefits to take into account if you're considering making the switch to a tiny home off-grid lifestyle:

• Costs - Yes, you'll need to pay some initial costs for your tiny home and the necessary systems and supplies to get started, but over the long term, you can save a huge amount as you won't be paying the usual utility bills.
• Independence - Many people love the sense of freedom and independence they can enjoy from off-grid living in a little home.
• Eco-Friendly - It's also clear to see that if you want to "go green", then switching to a tiny home and getting off-grid is a terrific way to start. This kind of lifestyle allows you to be much closer to nature.

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​Is Off-Grid Living Really Feasible?

Yes, it's perfectly feasible and there are already many people and entire communities all across Australia that have gone off-grid. So even though it might seem challenging and will surely take some adjustment, there are many proven cases of people already living this kind of lifestyle.

Is it Illegal to Live Off-Grid in a Tiny Home?

Not at all. In fact, you might even be eligible for incentives from the government if you switch to off-grid life. However, you will need to check out the rules and regulations in your area when planning your off-grid switch. Counties and towns can have their own rules on the matter.

What Should I Consider Before Switching to an Off-Grid Life?

If you're planning to live off-grid in a tiny home, there are a few key factors to take into account:
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• Location - If you're heading off-grid, you'll most likely need to relocate to a rural environment. Off-grid living isn't really possible in the middle of big cities and urban areas.
• Tiny Home - You'll need a tiny home to live in too, and there are various tiny home companies operating in Australia offering homes of various sizes and styles.
• Power - Without the grid to support you, you'll still need some sort of power for things like heating water and preserving food.
• Waste - You also won't be connected to sewer lines when you go off-grid, so you'll need to think about the toilet situation for your new home.

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What Are Some Options and Essentials for Off-Grid Living?

• Solar Power - You might want to consider a solar power system to make use of the sun's rays to power up your tiny home.
• Wind Power - Another renewable source of energy comes in the form of wind, and this can be a good backup for those cloudy days.
• Heat Pumps - Heat pumps use a small fraction of the energy of traditional water heaters and can help to provide your tiny home with hot water.
• Solar Batteries - Solar batteries are able to store up excess electrical energy generated from the sun for use in the evenings or on darker days.
• Composting Toilet - A composting toilet can be a good way to deal with waste without the need for sewer lines.

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How can Tiny Blox help you with going Off-Grid?

iny Blox provides a comprehensive compliance and planning package when you purchase any of our tiny homes. We also provide extensive guidance and advice about the entire building process from start to finish and aim to take all of the stress and hassle away from you as much as possible.

If you are planning on buying a Tiny Blox and erecting it in a remote Off-Grid area, you can act as an owner-builder or engage a local licensed builder to help you.

Tiny Blox will provide you a custom design and accurate quote based on your unique requirements and your chosen site location.
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If you would like to know more about how Tiny Blox can get you Off-Grid and enjoying a simplified, low-impact lifestyle, contact us today.