As featured on the YouTube channel Living Big In A Tiny House, a couple built a tiny DIY off-grid home that runs on solar energy.
Maddison and Kyle, who've spent nearly two years traveling Australia in a Sprinter van, built a tiny house using a secondhand trailer and materials such as copper, aluminum, and recycled timber. "It's been a labor of love," Maddison said in the video.
"This tiny house looks like a Pinterest board brought to life," said channel host Bryce Langston.
Maddison and Kyle's tiny DIY house gained attention online not only for its cozy, rustic look but also for the fact that it's off the grid. Solar energy powers it, and the shed stores energy through rooftop panels.
The home's lighting is free of harsh blue light and adjusts throughout the day to support better sleep and circadian rhythms.
Maddison and Kyle rely on a rainwater tank for their water supply, though dry spells can make it difficult.
This off-grid home highlights the benefits of tiny living, including reduced energy costs. Solar panels help reduce electricity bills. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average annual amount of electricity purchased by a U.S. residential electric-utility customer was 10,791 kilowatt hours in 2022.
Installing solar panels is the ultimate home energy hack because it can cut energy costs to nearly $0. EnergySage offers a free service to compare quotes from vetted installers, saving up to $10,000 on solar installations.
While solar panels may be costly due to the upfront investment, homeowners who want to avoid high or fluctuating energy prices while helping the planet can also opt to lease solar panels. Palmetto's LightReach installs panels without a down payment and locks in low energy rates.
In addition to lowering monthly bills, downsizing can help cool the planet and address rising global temperatures. More modest living options make it easier to adopt energy-efficient solutions to reduce reliance on pollution-causing sources such as gas and coal.
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Absolutely 🦠 YouTube users were delighted to see the tiny home, with many commenting on its beautiful, rustic design.
"This is the best tiny house I've ever seen," one user commented.
"I love their tiny home. It looks absolutely welcoming and comfortable," another wrote.
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