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

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.

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?

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.

Solar system in off-grid REDUKT tiny house. Photo: REDUKT

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.

Water system in off-grid REDUKT tiny house. Photo: REDUKT

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.

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.

Photo: REDUKT

The technical room - the house control centre

All REDUKT off-grid mobile houses, despite their small footprint, have a specially separated functional space that accommodates key devices and systems for operation.

The technical room is the most important space in an off-grid house. It is where the control centre for all devices and systems is located, along with sensors. They ensure that the house is fully functional all year round.

It is accessible from the outside to look after the full efficiency of the house without having to go inside while guests are there, which is very important when using the houses as micro-hotels.

In our house models, the technical room is hidden under the mezzanine floor or next to the bathroom, thus ensuring efficient use of space on the trailer, as well as the expected easy access from the outside through the technical door.

In the same house models but in the on-grid version, the same space serves as a laundry room or utility storage, e.g. for supplies, tools or garden furniture.

REDUKT mobile homes provide their owners with year-round comfort on the plot thanks to an interior layout thought through in every detail.

Tiny bathrooms in mobile houses

We adapt the interiors of REDUKT tiny houses on wheels individually to the needs of our clients, even such tiny spaces as the bathroom. In the standard version, the tiny bathroom in our mobile house is equipped with a full-size shower, a waterless composting toilet and a washbasin with a small cabinet.

Here are some examples of bathroom designs in our REDUKT mobile houses:

> Tiny bathroom in REDUKT Country mobile house.

> A personalized bathroom with a composting toilet in an individually designed house on wheels.

> Customized bathroom in REDUKT PURA mobile home with rimless, wall-hung toilet and custom-made plywood shelves.

> REDUKT PURA - standard version of bathroom equipment

> Bathroom in the REDUKT PURA house with a standard flush toilet

> Bathroom in the REDUKT ONE mobile home

And what about the toilet? What kind of toilet is the best for a mobile tiny house?

In REDUKT houses we offer:

• waterless composting toilet (Trobolo, Separett),

• incineration electric or propane waterless toilet (Cinderella Comfort or Cinderella Freedom)

• standard toilets, for on-grid houses only.

If you are wondering which one to choose for your tiny home, check out our recommendations in the post on our blog:

https://redukt.eu/blog-eng/2024/03/13-toilets-in-tiny-house-how-to-choose-the-best-option

Discover our houses. REDUKT ECHO

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?

REDUKT ECHO tiny house from our basic offer. Photo: REDUKT

Exterior with natural wooden elevation of REDUKT ECHO tiny house. 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 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.

Plywood furniture in REDUKT ECHO mobile house on wheels. Photo: REDUKT

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 :)

REDUKT ECHO mobile home space includes a mezzanine with access by steps. Photo: REDUKT

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."

REDUKT ECHO house is a welcoming space for tiny living. Photo: REDUKT

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.

Wooden elevation of REDUKT houses seamlessly blends with surroundings. Photo: REDUKT

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.

Tiny Houses on wheels - a simple retreat

We all know that spending time in nature is good for our health and well-being. But in a city with few green spaces, it's easy to feel disconnected from nature, both physically and mentally. 

Studies show that being close to nature has a positive effect on memory, cognitive flexibility, and the ability to focus. Just 15 minutes in the green space raises creativity levels, lowers stress levels, and improves mood. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind this, we suggest checking out the article:

https://www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/article/view/449

REDUKT PURA house on a green hill overlooking a mountain range near Vienna. Photo: Emanuel Kaspar

Our customers have found a way to take care of themselves. The mobile homes let them spend more time outside and get closer to nature while still being able to relax at home. They fell in love with the beautiful plots of land where they put up their houses on wheels. By equipping the houses with a partial or complete off-grid package, they could choose almost any place they wanted, even in hard-to-reach areas and plots without utility connections.

REDUKT PURA off-grid house on a slope in the Austrian Alps. Photo: private archive

Ski slope in the Austrian Alps, a green hill overlooking a mountain range near Vienna, or the charming Polish Masuria. These are just a few of the incredible places where our customers have found their perfect retreat. Our mobile homes are a turning point in their lives, helping them to return to a natural rhythm and harmony of body and mind.

REDUKT PURA located in the picturesque Polish Masuria. Photo: private archive

REDUKT tiny houses on wheels  are designed to blend in with nature, fitting quietly into their surroundings.

Where would you like to park your home on wheels?

Photo: private archive

House on the road – a few words about the formalities

The mobility of a house on a trailer is undoubtedly one of the advantages of a micro house, thanks to which people who value freedom of choice and change of plans decide to buy it. Traveling with a house on wheels – how does it actually look? What requirements must a house meet in order to be able to move around with it?

To legally drive a mobile home on roads, we must meet several important conditions.

Traveling with the prototype of a mobile house REDUKT-01. Photo: REDUKT

Requirements, documents, vehicle registration 

Our REDUKT houses are built on trailers that meet the requirements and have European approval up to 3.5 tons. This means that the trailer has its own approval, and the house is formally a load. To be allowed to travel on public roads, a trailer must have appropriate documents. The CoC document, i.e. the certificate of conformity from the registration office, declares that the vehicle is of an approved type. Refers to a specific chassis number and contains all technical features and vehicle data such as weight and dimensions. These data must meet certain standards for approval in the EU: the weight of the load with the trailer cannot exceed 3.5 tons, and the maximum permissible dimensions of the load are 2.55 m in width and 4 m in height (including the trailer). To move on public roads, it is of course necessary to register the trailer. 

“Cargo package”

REDUKT houses can be detached from the trailer. We call this functionality the "cargo package" and it consists of steel reinforcements in the floor enabling the house to be lifted, an approved connection of the cargo (house) to the trailer during transport, and special elements securing the house to the trailer when parked.

REDUKT houses are built on approved trailers. Photo: REDUKT

Traveling on public roads

Traveling with a house on wheels also requires specific permissions, skills and security measures. The driver must have a driving license B+E category, skills enabling him to drive a combination of vehicles (car and trailer with load) with a GVW exceeding 3.5 tons, and appropriate liability insurance. The car must also be able to tow a trailer weighing 3.5 tons (which is indicated in the registration certificate). In practice, this possibility is available to selected off-road vehicles, pick-ups and delivery vans.

Traveling with a mobile home in practice

Before setting off on a trip, it is necessary to secure moving elements inside the house that could cause damage to furniture and equipment, e.g. shower doors or pull-out drawers and cabinet fronts.

If you plan to travel with your home, it is necessary to design and equip it appropriately. The safety of the structure during movement is influenced by, among others: window surface protection and optimal balance. It is worth considering installing elements of an off-grid package in a house intended for location changes. Using a separating toilet or water tank will significantly facilitate the functioning of your home when you want to change your place of living. 

More about off-grid REDUKT PURA house on wheels here. Photo: REDUKT

With a properly prepared mobile home, you can make your dreams come true and enjoy an unprecedented sense of freedom :)

Toilets in tiny house – how to choose the best option?

Toilets in tiny houses can be selected from several available options, from classic toilets with utility connection to off-grid models.

Composting toilet Separett Villa 9000 in Redukt-01 tiny house

We offer in our houses:

• waterless composting toilet (Trobolo, Separett) – eco and user friendly separating toilet with integrated separating system: urine is drained into an external tank and solid waste goes to a biodegradable tank that can be composted. Light, highly recommended for its functionality and the selection of compact size models designed for tiny houses,

Waterless composting toilets in REDUKT houses

Separating toilet TROBOLO TinyBlœm in REDUKT Country house

• incineration electric waterless toilet (Cinderella Comfort) – leaving only a minimal amount of sterile ash from the waste. It does not require additional installations (water, sewage) except for the electrical one. It is easy to use, however is quite heavy, expensive and consumes large amounts of electricity,

• incineration propane waterless toilet (Cinderella Freedom) – a propane-powered, water free incineration toilet that incinerates all toilet waste at high temperatures. It is specially adapted for areas with limited or no access to the electricity,

Cinderella Freedom – propane-powered incineration toilet with LCD display

• standard toilet – for houses connected to the water from the mains and sewage installation.

Standard toilets in REDUKT houses with utility and sewage connections

Before choosing a toilet for your tiny house, think about what your needs are, what will be comfortable for you, your attitude towards the environment and what are your financial possibilities. We will help you to make the best decision.

100% off-grid customized PURA house

Keeping in mind the unique needs and preferences of our customers, we offer a wide range of options to customize our house designs beyond the basic offer. We collaborate with them not only to make simple modifications to finishes, furniture, or appliance details, but also to make functional changes that may affect the structure of the house.

Photo: REDUKT

2 mezzanines in a tiny house? Why not! 

To meet the needs of a family from Austria, we personalized the design of a mobile house based on the REDUKT PURA model with stairs from our basic offer. We changed part of the standard interior layout to provide an additional sleeping space for a child without reducing the living space. By lowering the height of the bathroom, we were able to add a mezzanine with ladder access. We also installed a skylight above the mezzanine to increase natural light and create a more spacious feel.

Photo: private archive

Thus, this mobile house is equipped with a double mattress on the first mezzanine and a single mattress on the second mezzanine, as well as a sofa bed that can accommodate 2 people, typical of the PURA house. This provides comfortable overnight accommodations for up to 5 people!

Photo: REDUKT

Customized functional layout

The REDUKT PURA house with stairs and two mezzanines, was transported on a low-floor truck to its destination in 12 weeks after the order. Its key advantages include:

• two mezzanines with large skylight windows for sky-watching enthusiasts,

• a wide sofa with storage space inside and storage inside the steps,

• fully equipped kitchen that invites to cook together,

• a bathroom with a incinerating toilet and a spacious shower,

• access to the technical room from outside.

Photo: REDUKT

100% off-grid 

The REDUKT PURA house was designed for a mountainous area in the Austrian highlands with no access to utilities. It is equipped with a full off-grid package, including:

• a solar installation with four photovoltaic panels and a battery that produces and stores electricity using Victron Energy inventory. 

• the water system consists of a 400-liter water tank, mechanical water filters, an electric water heater, and an antifreeze system.

• the incinerating toilet (Cinderella Freedom), powered by propane, that produces only a minimal amount of sterile ash from sanitary waste, requires no additional installations for water or sewage and is easy to operate,

• additionally a wood stove that heats the interior of the cottage and provides a cozy atmosphere.

Photo: REDUKT

With the complete off-grid package, the family can enjoy quality time together in nature throughout the year, anywhere they choose!

Photo: private archive