off-grid living

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.

The technical room - the house control centre

September 17, 2024

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

August 21, 2024

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 design in REDUKT mobile tiny house on wheels — **> Tiny bathroom in** **REDUKT Country** **mobile house.**

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

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.

Tiny Houses on wheels - a simple retreat

June 12, 2024

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 Tiny House on wheels as a simple retreat — 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.

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 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?

Ideas for storing things in TH

May 08, 2024

A small living space is a challenge for architects, designers, and homebuyers alike. Every square meter counts, especially when it comes to the amount of space to store things. We design our minimalist trailer houses for a simpler life, proving that you don't need much to live comfortably. Check out what kind of special furniture and interior design solutions we applied to the personalized REDUKT PURA model from our basic offer.

The interior of the REDUKT PURA mobile house. Photo: REDUKT

Mobile multifunctional furniture

The heart of this house is the living room, which is shared with the fully equipped kitchen. This is where you can enjoy the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning and the beautiful views outside the wide window. In the afternoons, you can spend time together with your loved ones cooking, sharing food or playing board games at the fold-out table. Mobile multifunctional furniture works perfect in this space.

Living area and kitchen in the house on wheels REDUKT PURA. Photo: REDUKT

The sofa bed is a great piece of furniture that serves not only as additional sleeping space, but also as a capacious pull-out drawer for clothes, shoes, towels, and linens. The steps leading to the mezzanine are also storage compartments: a drawer in the lower step and three boxes opening from the front, in which you can store a suitcase and a hiking backpack.

There's another cabinet hidden above the sofa in an alcove under the mezzanine. It's a great place to store board games, books, electronic devices and even a blanket.

Storage space in the REDUKT PURA mobile house. Photo: REDUKT

In the rest area, on the mezzanine, you will find a full-size mattress, as well as shelves for books, candles and small personal items. Everything you need for a good night's rest is within your reach – even the stars at the night sky, which you can admire through the roof window.

Mezzanine in the REDUKT PURA mobile home. Photo: REDUKT

Customized furnishing and interior designs

We customize the interiors of our mobile homes to meet the needs of our clients.

In the tiny, custom-designed bathroom, we placed shelves for essential toiletries behind a rimless, hanging toilet.

Personalized bathroom with full equipment in the REDUKT PURA trailer house. Photo: REDUKT

A large table is a waste of usable space in the home? For this house model we designed a foldable table that you can adjust to fit your needs. And after dinner... stuck it between the sofa and the kitchen.

Multifunctional mobile furniture in a trailer home REDUKT PURA — Multifunctional mobile furniture is an ideal furniture solution for small interiors. Photo: REDUKT

You will find these and many other unique interior design solutions in our houses on wheels. We provide the luxury of comfortable furniture available in large spaces, also in micro-houses. Designed with attention to every detail to ensure comfort of living, working and resting close to nature.

You ask – we answer!

February 28, 2024

REDUKT Tiny Houses | FAQs

We receive many questions from you about our tiny houses on wheels: the uses and purposes of the houses, their construction, transportation, price and customization of the designs. Here are some answers to the most common inquiries:

REDUKT tiny house on wheels, off-grid mobile year-round use wooden house — Photo: REDUKT

< What purposes can REDUKT houses be adapted for?

The houses are designed for year-round use. They can be used as private weekend or vacation houses, additional living space next to an existing building, micro hotels, or mobile office space. The usage is up to you, and you can always relocate the house to another location.

< Can the REDUKT house be located on a plot without utilities?

Yes, the REDUKT house can be completely autonomous, allowing it to be used on a plot without access to utilities.It is important to determine the extent to which you intend to use utilities and resources, as well as what utilities are available on the plot, so that we can choose the optimal equipment for the house. We offer a full off-grid home package.

< What is an off-grid house and what is it equipped with?

An off-grid house enables you to operate independently of standard utilities such as electricity, water, and sewage. The self-sufficient package comprises a photovoltaic panel system that generates and stores electricity, a dry separation toilet, a water management system consisting of a tank, water pump, and heater, and a heating system that includes a wood-burning stove, gas-powered radiators, and infrared floor films.

< Can I travel with a tiny house on wheels?

Our houses are built on trailers that comply with the traffic laws of EU countries. To move freely on the roads, you must register the trailer, the maximum weight of the house up to 3.5 tons, and its width up to 2.5m. Additionally, a B+E driving license is required.

< How to transport a prefabricated house to the target location?

We offer transportation services for your house to your desired destination. In some cases, the final stretch of the transportation process may require the use of a tractor. However it is important to address any concerns regarding accessibility beforehand, especially in cases where the house is located in a remote or difficult-to-reach area.
Larger and heavier houses can be transported on a special low-deck truck.

< What is the standard process of ordering a house at REDUKT?

At the beginning, we discuss your needs, budget, and inspiration. At this stage, we decide whether to use our ready-made designs or design a house specifically for you as an individual project. The design stage takes an additional two months and incurs an additional fee. For ready-made projects, such as PURA or COUNTRY house, we provide cost estimates based on the selected equipment, production, and payment schedules. Our team, along with external specialists, will build your tiny house over the next few weeks. You are welcome to visit us during the construction process to review the established stages of the work. Once the house is completed, it will undergo all necessary inspections. Then you will make a final acceptance (in a workshop or remotely/on-line) and decide whether you would like to pick it up yourself or have it delivered by a trusted transportation company. Your house will be ready for delivery to your address after a period of 12 weeks.

< Is it possible to design the house on individual request?

Yes. Our house designs can be customized to meet the specific needs and preferences of our clients. Additionally, we offer custom houses upon request. Please contact us for further details.

< Is it possible to use the house without a trailer?

Yes. Our houses are designed to be detachable from the trailer and can be set on prepared supports. However, it is not recommended to place the house directly on the ground due to technical reasons.

< What does the price of REDUKT house depend on?

The cost of the house is determined by several factors, including the selected model and design personalization, the materials and equipment used, and transportation and delivery expenses. Each case is evaluated individually.

< How long after the decision can I move into my own house on wheels?

Typically, it takes around three months to construct a REDUKT tiny house. Designing a house from scratch to the client's individual preferences adds an additional ca. two months. Once construction is complete, the house arrives on your plot fully equipped and ready to move in.

< Are REDUKT houses suitable for use all year round?

Yes. REDUKT houses are equipped with a heat source selected based on the availability of utilities on the plot, such as a wood-burning stove, wall-mounted gas or electric radiators, or air conditioning. Additionally, the water system is equipped with anti-freeze heating cables.

Drewniany dom REDUKT tiny house on wheels, mobilny dom całoroczny off-gridowy — Photo: REDUKT

Discover our houses. REDUKT PURA part 3

February 21, 2024

Imagine a tiny house gracefully standing among whispering trees or on the shore of a lake with water reflections dancing on the facade or on a snow-covered slope in the mountains…

Enabling the residents to experience immersion in nature was the inspiration for the new house model, which was created in our workshop in the last winter months.

Mobile house REDUKT PURA_1Level. Tiny house on wheels, wooden cabin in the forest, house on a trailer — Photo: REDUKT

REDUKT PURA – the ground floor version

The house REDUKT PURA_1Level is the third model in the REDUKT PURA family and, unlike the two previous models (REDUKT PURA with ladder, REDUKT PURA with stairs), it is a ground floor house – it does not have a mezzanine. Its shape refers to the classic shape of a house with a gable roof, easily blending into the surrounding landscape. The functional, ground floor layout with a huge window next to the bed is a response to the idea of completely opening the home space to experiencing nature.

Interior of mobile house REDUKT PURA_1Level. tiny house on wheels, wooden cabin in the forest, winter landscape outside the huge window — Photo: REDUKT

Simplicity and minimalism

The interior of the REDUKT PURA_1Level house is characterized by simplicity, functionality, and clean lines of minimalist design. Sunlight streams in through the double panes of the flush opening doors, providing ample natural light. The large asymmetrical window, which replicates the shape of the roof, is the most distinctive feature of this model.

Lying on a comfortable double bed placed just below the window, we can freely gaze at the landscape outside. After outdoor activities, we prioritize high-quality sleep and lazy mornings with breakfast in bed, in accordance with our biological clock. This is our time to rest and recharge.

Interior of mobile house REDUKT PURA_1Level. tiny house on wheels, wooden cabin in the forest, winter landscape outside, huge window next to the wide bed — Photo: REDUKT

How relaxing it would be… waking up on a crisp Sunday morning with a view of a wild meadow surrounded by forest and catching a glimpse of a curious deer peeking out from behind a tree outside your window? The house is equipped for comfortable year-round use and serves as a refuge for all four seasons.

Mobile house REDUKT PURA_1Level. Tiny house on wheels, wooden cabin in the forest, house on a trailer, interior of small house with big window, winter view outside the window — Photo: REDUKT, pexels.com

Rest zone

At the head of the bed, there is a practical shelf with a storage compartment. Above it hang twin wall lamps that create a cozy atmosphere during quiet evenings with a book. The rest zone extends deep into the house in the form of an L-shaped sofa adjacent to the bed. As a result, the house's small footprint offers a functionally designed space for typical activities: relaxing, cooking, eating, and sleeping.

On the other side of the living space, the kitchen invites you to take a moment to make coffee or prepare a meal. It is equipped with standard built-ins, including a kitchen top with an induction hob, a sink, a refrigerator, and storage bins. Capacious cabinets with shelves and drawers provide ample storage space.

The interior of small house on wheels, fully equipped kitchen with furniture made from a natural plywood, lightning in the kitchen space — Photo: REDUKT

Practical equipment

Opposite the kitchen is a small wardrobe that offers additional storage space. The closet is a vertical cabinet combined with a practical hanger for outerwear and shelves for shoes.

A light sliding door made of plywood, the same material as the walls, separates the kitchen from the entrance to the house. The bathroom behind the door features a full-size shower with a rain shower head, a sink with a cabinet and a toilet. Behind it is the engineering room, the technical heart of the house, also available in a full off-grid package.

The interior of tiny house on wheels, living space in a cabin, wardrobe next to front door, bathroom equipment, shower in the tiny bathroom — Photo: REDUKT

In harmony with nature

The natural plywood furniture creates a luminous and spacious interior, while the addition of black details and trim adds a versatile and modern touch. The dark facade boards covering the exterior walls accentuate the color scheme of the house's interior. The impregnating glaze for spruce boards is available in various shades, allowing you to customize the facade and the area around your house to your liking.