3 Years Living Fully Off-The-Grid in a Tiny House

Why This Couple Sold Their Tiny House After 3 Years Living Off Grid.

Pat & Mel built this off-grid tiny house as a way to stop paying rent, and to start living a simple, minimalist lifestyle. They lived in it for 3 years while it was parked on a friend's land, but they recently decided to sell the tiny home and buy a house because it was cheaper than buying vacant land.

Sound weird? Here's why: the down payment on a piece of land in Ontario is often 35%, while the cost of a down payment on a home is often as low as 5%. So even though they might be buying a home that's more expensive than just land, it's easier to buy the home.

They built their tiny house themselves and designed it to be fully off-grid with a wood stove for heat, solar panels for electricity, propane for hot water and cooking, and they collected rainwater for all of their water needs. They used a composting toilet (Nature's Head) since they didn't have access to a septic system.

This is the first tiny house we've seen that used 100% rainwater collection and this is how they did it:

They added a gutter to the side of their tiny house and collected rainwater in 4 barrels that had screens to catch any leaves and other gunk that might wash down the spout.

Once the barrels were full, they used a sump pump to transfer the water from the outdoor barrels into a large holding tank inside a trailer beside the house. They had the water tank inside a trailer so that they could heat it in the winter to prevent the water from freezing during the winter.

To transfer the water from the trailer into the house, they used an RV water pump and pumped the water through an insulated and heated pipe.

To ensure the water was extra clean, they'd add a couple of tablespoons (approx.) of bleach to each barrel of rainwater before transferring it into the main tank.

Living in a tiny house allowed Pat & Mel to save money, and to live with the bare essentials, which they found very pleasant. They felt that they didn't spend as much time and money shopping for things they didn't need.

They did have some challenges, including a week without water during their first winter when the pipe between the trailer and house froze. And they also sometimes found it difficult to entertain large groups of people, or to host a dinner party in such a small space.

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives

Tiny House Build Photos by Pat & Mel

[ExploringAlternatives]

Are you thinking of building/buying a tiny house? Do you want to be on or off the grid?

[LuvliiJonesy]

I can literally watch these all day!! Love everything about tiny houses and how each one is uniquely designed.

[jenanjuice]

I wish I could find someone to share life with like this couple. You guys are lucky

[gregory]

Very nice, put hay bales around the perimeter of the house in winter, it will cut down on cold creep into your flooring and lower your heating needs (wood or propane).

[bobbybaldeagle]

Your blessed to have friends that were willing to help you out.... Not everyone is blessed to have friends like that....

[lancedaniels]

Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed this thoughtful couple's comments.

[ritabroils]

Beautiful home, very cozy!!!! I think I would have used some panels and straw bails around the house and partly around trailer to.blick the wind/cold.

[deyvidbovi]

I appreciate the detailed information you provide for each video. Thank you!

[johncnorris]

Concept: Build a Tiny Submarine. Live in the Great Lakes. Submerge when you've had a rough week. Threaten the shipping channels when people really piss you off!

[diannehalliday]

Well done both of you, go well in your lives together

[rosemarywilliams]

Thank you for being honest about the land. I'm having the same issues and for me it's hard to trust someone who's ok with the house now but may not be down the road..so i have a lot to think about in a short timeline.

[lamoinette]

it's really cute. one of the nicest I've seen so far.

[fiendeng]

Your productions are always so beautifully edited and the story so intimately depicted. Great home !

[cathylynnpietranton]

Enjoy the video such a cute little house thanks for sharing

[mrbadx]

getting started is always hard. i bought my home 28 years ago, 20% down, paid it off in 2 years, it was a foreclosure, had to replace every square inch of carpeting and padding, dog piss everywhere. still here, still home, one bedroom condo.

[yushikuang]

Finally real people talking about the real tiny house living. I can’t imagine how is to live 3 years in a tiny house in Canada. Apparently, they like it. I live in Montreal and we spend so much time inside in winter. When we are not home, i’m in family/friends home, shop, café or in the office. It was -22C yesterday with a bright sun ☀️...yes you can take a walk but you can’t extend your living outside for like 4-5 months per year.

[pamgalloway]

You guys are did such an extremely amazing job.
Pammie from Chicago

[helened]

I would add over hangs for a cover patio around as much of the house as possible. It would afford more comfortable living space when it's nice out and keep the snow more away from the house. Very nice though. Great job.

[JanessaforIsrael]

I live in 463 SF tiny home I love it...I wanted a washer and dryer, Septic and have a well with grid electric on 2 acres, love it...

[Lilmiket]

I could understand why it feels like a step back. but depending on your own personal situations it may not be. The biggest issue people have is with leaving home with not much of anything and getting stuck trying to stay on top of the bills without actually saving enough. Now that you guys were able to save in the tiny house you can go on to bigger and better things with more of a secure foundations. And in the event that you ever had to be without the house again you would know how to live from your past experience! Congratulations on the new home!