On-grid or off-grid version of the house?

November 06, 2024

Our customers are often in doubt about which version of the house will best suit their needs. The choice of an on-grid or off-grid version of a house or a mixed version depends mainly on access to utilities on the plot, individual preferences and future plans.

Sometimes it is difficult to predict which components and systems will ensure the long-term comfort of the home and its use.

If you are not sure which equipment package for your mobile home to opt for, this article will explain the most important aspects involved in choosing an on- or off-grid version.

REDUKT tiny house on wheels, on-grid house, off-grid package, off-grid living, house equipment — Photo: REDUKT

An on-grid house versus an off-grid house - the differences

An off-grid house, by being equipped with the systems and appliances included in the Off-grid Package, can function autonomously without being permanently connected to utilities. An on-grid house, on the other hand, requires the connection of utilities: electricity, water, and optionally gas and sewerage. Why optional? Because you have the option of partially equipping the house with appliances included in the off-grid package, such as the lightweight separation toilet recommended for trailer houses.

How do we make off-grid houses independent of connection to the power, water or sewerage networks?

REDUKT tiny house on wheels, off-grid package, off-grid living, house equipment — Systems installed in an off-grid mobile house. Photo: REDUKT

Electricity

An off-grid house produces energy through roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and stores it in a battery that powers the house's installations. When planning to equip a house on wheels with an electricity production and storage system, whether off-grid or mixed version, it is important to consider the number of appliances that will consume the energy produced by the photovoltaic panels. Typically, these include a basic set of outdoor and indoor lighting, a refrigerator, indoor sockets, appliances connected to the grid by the user (charger, laptop, etc.) and the antifreeze water system.

Not in all cases will the energy from the solar system be sufficient to provide power to all appliances at the same time - it is therefore necessary to estimate power consumption according to individual demand before deciding to use this source of electricity exclusively. An induction hob, additional household appliances such as an oven or dishwasher, an air conditioner or a water heater alone require too much energy for the capabilities of a standard photovoltaic package.

It is also important to consider the conditions on the chosen plot of land - mainly its sun exposure, the positioning orientation of the house and, consequently, of the photovoltaic panels (south/north, east/west) and whether there are other factors limiting the amount of sunlight, such as shade from trees or climatic factors such as prolonged snowfall. These limit the efficiency of photovoltaic panels.

Water

If it is not possible to connect the house to mains water (ON-GRID) or our own well, which will provide us with good quality water or water that has been adequately treated through an individual water treatment plant, we are left with off-grid solutions.

A water tank is located in the technical room (REDUKT houses are equipped with a 400l tank as standard) and regularly filled with transported water through an external inlet.

Gas

Outdoor propane butane gas storage units provide an additional source of energy in situations where there is no electricity on the plot and the off-grid package will not power all appliances due to its efficiency. Connecting the house installation to the bottle allows the use of a gas cooker and gas water heater.

Heating

For heating REDUKT mobile houses, we recommend the following heat sources, which can be used in both on-grid and off-grid houses respectively:

air-conditioning with heating function for on-grid houses only due to the high electricity consumption,
IR underfloor heating for both types of houses,
wood-burning cooker or pellet cooker for both types of houses, ,
wall-mounted electric heaters for on-grid houses or gas heaters for off-grid versions.

REDUKT tiny house on wheels, off-grid package, off-grid living, heating — Heating options recommended for mobile houses on wheels. Photo: REDUKT

Comparison: on-grid vs. off-grid

The table below shows a comparison of on-grid and off-grid mobile home utilities and appliances. A mixed option is also available as we wrote, which is a selection of individual options depending on the specific utility access on the plot.

How to get started?

During the process of ordering a REDUKT mobile home, we can help you choose the best solutions, sharing our knowledge and years of experience in the production of tiny mobile homes on trailers. The models in our range are designed with the specific requirements of on-grid or off-grid packages in mind.

The final choice depends on many factors: an analysis of the access to utilities on the plots, the planned budget, the location of the house, its function, the needs and preferences of its inhabitants. We are happy to guide our clients through the decision-making process, selecting the optimal house model and solutions.

We invite you to contact us.

Kitchen - the heart of a tiny house

May 15, 2024

The living space in our REDUKT mobile houses is made up of two main areas: the living area and the kitchen.

This layout makes it easy for residents to enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. Wake up to the smell of your favorite freshly brewed coffee, cook dinner in the kitchen, and dine with a view of nature. Simple and unhurried.

Functional kitchen designs

With thoughtful kitchen designs, all the essentials are always within easy reach. We also customize interior designs and equipment to individual customer preferences to make sure you're completely comfortable.

Kitchen equipment

We build the small houses on wheels in our workshop and deliver them to customers in a state ready for living with full equipment.

The kitchen elements in REDUKT houses are:

an induction hob or a gas stove (you can choose between them depending on the version of the house: on-grid or off-grid),
single compartment built-in refrigerator,
a big sink with a tap,
a laminate countertop and an anti-splash protective panel,
LED line countertop lighting under the upper cabinets,
a drawer under the sink for segregation bins,
shelves and drawers in the lower and upper cabinets.

Our kitchens are ventilated, and in on-grid houses, we also install mechanical kitchen exhausts.

Here are some examples of kitchens in our tiny houses on trailers:

Kitchen in REDUKT PURA tiny house — Kitchen in REDUKT PURA house with stairs

Kitchen in REDUKT Country tiny house — Kitchen space in REDUKT Country mobile house

Kitchen in REDUKT ECHO tiny house — Kitchen and living space in REDUKT ECHO house

Custom-made furniture in REDUKT houses

March 20, 2024

Before beginning the interior design process for a mobile home, we discuss our clients' furniture and furnishing preferences and storage needs. We create custom designs and offer unique interior solutions that include multifunctional mobile furniture and multi-purpose use of space depending on the time of day.

Each REDUKT tiny house has a unique feature that sets it apart from the rest. In our houses, customers can find a variety of special furniture options, including a closet, a mobile table, a folding table on the wall, a coat rack combined with a work surface, a closet hidden under a mezzanine, and a folding table on wheels, among others.

Storage furniture

Living in a small space presents the challenge of limiting possessions, but clever management can maximize storage. Our homes utilize solutions such as drawers hidden under steps, a closet located under the mezzanine, or a capacious closet with shelves next to the front door.

Plywood furniture in REDUKT mobile houses — Storage furniture in REDUKT mobile houses. Photo: REDUKT

Work desks

In certain models of the PURA collection, the workspace is a foldable top with an easy-to-use wall-mounting system. With just two movements, you can create a peaceful corner to work in front of a window with a stunning view. As a repeatable solution, another PURA house showcased a small desk located next to the front door, combined with a dressing table – an all-in-one piece: on one side, a special shoe compartment and a practical coat rack, and on the other, a countertop with a shelf for work.

Custom-made furniture in REDUKT houses — Work zone in REDUKT tiny houses. Photo: REDUKT

Tables, coffee tables, countertops

In tiny houses, a common element of the living and kitchen area is often a table. By utilizing the option to vertically fold the table against the wall, valuable space can be saved without sacrificing the ability to comfortably seat four people for breakfast with hot coffee.

Mobile furniture on wheels

For added comfort and convenience in daily use, we also provide mobile furniture options, such as tables or cabinets on wheels. These solutions are particularly effective when dealing with larger pieces of furniture, as adding casters or wheels makes them much easier to move.

Mobile desk on wheels in REDUKT Country house. Photo: REDUKT

Foldable furniture

When hosting guests overnight or entertaining a larger group, it's important to have clever interior solutions such as additional tables or sleeping arrangements. Folding sofas and split-top tables are great options for occasional use and can help maximize space in smaller living areas.

Foldable table and corner sofa in REDUKT PURA house. Photo: REDUKT

If you want unique furnishings for your REDUKT tiny house, please feel free to contact us to discuss your dreams and needs.