Living in a tiny house presents several benefits, as well as challenges. Heating that space is a little of both. For one, because you have less air to warm up, you don’t need a setup that’s as expensive to buy or run. At the same time, you must puzzle through what options won’t be overkill for your home, since traditional furnaces, etc. won’t work.

As you know, the winters in the New York City area are particularly brutal, so you need a heating option that won’t fail in the middle of a cold snap.

Utilities

One of the first items you need to consider is the utility options available where you live. The portability of tiny houses sometimes means people build or move them to areas where not all the usual utilities are accessible.

You also must take a hard look at cost. If electricity is particularly expensive, for example, that might not be the best method to use for heating your house.

Also, weigh the reliability of certain utilities. Some areas might be notorious for the power going out during big storms. That’s when you need your heating the most, so to lose it at that moment presents a serious problem.

Size Matters

You need to select a heating option that’s appropriate for the airspace in your home. Obviously, you’ll need something far smaller than what’s necessary for a larger structure.

One thing to look at is gas stoves or fireplaces. Some are just over one foot tall, yet they put off a considerable amount of heat. What’s more, these produce flames and often have faux logs, so you get the ambiance of a traditional fireplace, but without the drawbacks.

If electricity is available, affordable, and reliable where you live, you’re in luck. The market for space heaters is vast, so you can easily find cost-friendly options loaded with features. Many have designs that help to prevent fire risks. You can even find a healthy array of space heaters at local big box stores, not to mention online. Read over the information for each heater, since you need to select one or more that will work for the size of your house.

Alternatives to Utilities

If you plan on setting up your tiny house where the local utilities aren’t a good resource, you can still heat your home. You just need to think outside of the box a little. Fortunately, today many alternatives exist, so you get to select the one that suits your needs and preferences best.

Wood and pellet stoves provide one method for heating your space. You need to keep these properly stoked, with an ample supply of fuel on hand. Propane heaters are even more convenient. Not everyone likes dealing with propane, which can make some feel uncomfortable about risks.

Modern technology has made solar panels a viable energy source. A growing number of solar air heaters put an abundant natural resource to work. Or, you can install solar panels and a battery system to store electricity, and use space heaters to keep your home nice and cozy.

You need to find the right heating option for your space. If you’re not home and need to keep things cozy, choose something with a thermostat, so it runs only when necessary. Also, you should use online calculations for the number of BTUs you need for your home’s square footage, as well as the local climate.

For a professional and efficient heating setup in your tiny home, contact us today.