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.

Discover our houses. REDUKT ONE

October 02, 2024

Our adventure with REDUKT mobile houses began in 2017 with a prototype trailer house with the iconic gabled roof and large window. The first house model named REDUKT-01, went through several stages of optimisation and modification. To this day, it remains in our offer as the REDUKT ONE model because of its unique character. What makes it so special?

REDUKT ONE tiny house on wheels, interior design, off-grid living — Mobile tiny house REDUKT ONE. Photo: REDUKT

The REDUKT ONE house refers to the traditional form of a house with a gable roof, which makes it cosy. The greatest feature of this house is the large amount of glazing, allowing you to experience nature. Huge double windows adjacent to double doors provide the best views and plenty of light throughout the interior. Here, on the sofa placed under these windows, you can sit with a cup of aromatic coffee in your hand to relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding nature.

The functional, ground-floor layout with a mezzanine has been arranged to emphasise the openness of the living space. Specially designed modular, multifunctional furniture is mobile to make the best out of the available space. Walls and furniture made of natural plywood make the interior bright and luminous.

This house model is smaller than the others - it is 6 m long, 2.55 m wide and 3.95 m high. Despite its small size, it can accommodate up to four people. There is a full-size mattress on the mezzanine floor and an additional two sleeping places are gained by folding out the sofa bed. On level 0 there is also a fully equipped kitchenette and a bathroom with a shower.

The arrangement of the space is facilitated by multifunctional furniture - a staircase, integrated with a desk and bookcase, and a wardrobe with rod and shelves - in the form of two mobile modules, tucked under the mezzanine.

The house can be equipped with a full off-grid package, allowing it to function autonomously on the plot without access to utilities:

an internal water tank with pump,
photovoltaic installation with integrated battery and inverter,
a gas installation (water heating, cooking, heating),
and a wood burning stove with chimney installation and additional wall insulation.

With just a few square meters of space, you can live in complete comfort: without unnecessary distractions, in your own way, close to nature.

Wherever you want.

Discover our houses. REDUKT ECHO

June 26, 2024

We're excited to introduce another mobile home from our basic offer: REDUKT ECHO tiny house. This house has a simple, modern shape with a gable roof and it's designed to stay in constant interaction with the residents and the environment. We've created several zones in it, so everyone can find their own space and privacy. What makes this model unique?

Exterior of REDUKT ECHO tiny house on wheels — REDUKT ECHO tiny house from our basic offer. Photo: REDUKT

The interior of the REDUKT ECHO house

One of the cool things about the REDUKT ECHO house is that it's divided into four "rooms" inside:

the luminous and spacious living room and kitchenette,
a second separate room under the mezzanine,
a bathroom with a shower, cabinet and sink, as well as a toilet,
a mezzanine with a desk - a great quiet place to work or relax.

Interior of REDUKT ECHO tiny house on wheels — Interior of REDUKT ECHO mobile home. Photo: REDUKT

REDUKT ECHO house has two rooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and mezzanine, all of which add up to 14 sqm.

The living room is the biggest space in the house. It's merged with a kitchenette opposite the front door. The kitchen is fully furnished with a fridge, a sink and a cooktop. The living space is designed for comfort and convenience: with a big sofa, storage and a bookcase. Behind the bookcase is another room for those who need their separate space exclusively.

This space can be arranged according to your needs, for an additional bedroom, work area or relaxation space. It has two bookcases with shelves and a closet in an alcove.

Once you've made it up the stairs, you'll find yourself on a mezzanine. If you place a full-size mattress there, you regain a few square meters of usable space at ground zero without sacrificing full sleeping comfort. And if you need your own corner with a work desk, it's there too :)

Tech side of the house

The house is heated with infrared floor foils and a wood-burning stove for a cozy interior climate and all-year use. You can also equip the house with an air conditioning with a heating function. The wooden structure of the house is responsible for proper thermal insulation. It has a mineral wool filling and a highly vapor-permeable membrane, which makes the walls of the house "breathe."

This house is 6.60 m long, 2.55 m wide, and 3.95 m high (including the trailer). You can make the REDUKT ECHO house function autonomously by installing the off-grid package that includes a water tank of up to 100 l with a pump and a solar system with a battery and an inverter.

The interior design of the REDUKT ECHO is a great example of how to make the most of every square meter of the space in a mobile home with a small footprint.

Office on wheels in the middle of the forest

April 10, 2024

Leisure and work are becoming increasingly intertwined. Our customers have the freedom to work remotely from their tiny houses on wheels, wherever they choose. The living space in our houses on wheels invites you to live, relax, and work with ease. You can focus on tasks away from the hustle and bustle of the city, be inspired by nature, and gain a new perspective. And in the meantime, enjoy the proximity of the forest or learn to do nothing :)

Work space in REDUKT Country tiny house on wheels — Work space in REDUKT Country house. Photo: REDUKT

Workcation - to work from anywhere

Mobile houses for rent are an increasingly popular option for workcations in the middle of the forest. Workcation is a new trend in Europe that allows remote work from anywhere, combining travel, sightseeing, or being in nature with work. Enjoy active days without taking a vacation. Performing work duties in a tiny house located in the woods, by a lake, or right by the beach is becoming increasingly popular for those seeking to regain their balance.

Office with a sea view

Feeling like a week-long vacation in the middle of the year is out of reach? Imagine being on the beach or exploring forest trails by bicycle just minutes after finishing work.

Houses on wheels function as a mobile office for both rental and personal use, allowing you to choose and change your workspace. And when you tire of the view outside your window, you can easily swap it for a new one :)

REDUKT PURA house as mobile office - to work anywhere you want. Photos: REDUKT, pexels.com

Work space at REDUKT tiny houses

The tiny houses’ interiors are divided into three zones: a living area, a lounge area, and a creative work area.

The REDUKT COUNTRY house model includes a mobile long table that can be arranged in various configurations, allowing for flexibility in the workspace. The family of REDUKT PURA houses features a folding table and a folding work desk located below the window. The standard version of the REDUKT ONE model includes a mobile furniture module with a desk that can be stored under the mezzanine when not in use.

Work space at REDUKT tiny houses — Work spaces in REDUKT tiny houses. Photos: REDUKT

Additionally, REDUKT has completed projects that involve custom furniture solutions tailored to the specific needs of clients, such as a wall-folding top or a desk combined with a small closet. This custom furniture adds a unique character to the interiors of REDUKT houses, providing mobile spaces that allow for focus on what is important.

REDUKT PURA located in a picturesque place in Austria. Photo: Emanuel Caspar

With REDUKT mobile tiny houses on wheels, you can live, work, and relax wherever you want. Where would you like to start your working day?