Save Energy and Enjoy the Tiny House Lifestyle

By: David Smith

There’s a whole “tiny house” movement in the U.S. that’s appealing for a number of reasons. Tiny homes offer a minimal lifestyle that is often more environmentally friendly than average homes. They also give homeowners greater financial and physical flexibility, allowing them to live the life they choose. Learn more below about tiny home benefits and their energy-saving potential.

Energy Savings

One of the most compelling advantages of a tiny home is that it significantly lowers your carbon footprint. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, homes contribute to 6% of America's greenhouse gas emissions through fuel consumption and electricity. Since most tiny houses are only 400 square feet at their largest — as opposed to the average American’s house of about 2,300 square feet — they obviously have less space to heat and cool. 

The American Institute of Architects found that tiny homes use only 7% of the fuel and electricity average-sized houses utilize. 

A Stepping Stone to Financial Freedom

While conserving energy is top of mind these days as a way to protect our natural environment and stop global warming, there are other very real benefits to downsizing. According to a 2021 report, 20% of American homeowners' annual spending goes toward housing payments, property taxes, and other home expenses. Another recent report revealed that 125 million Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

The tiny house movement says that you don’t need to live your life saddled with a mortgage payment. Instead, you can use that money to travel or enjoy other adventures. 

Taking Your Home Cross-Country

Speaking of traveling, that’s another benefit of a tiny house — you can literally put it on wheels and take it with you. With all your belongings in one building that can easily hitch to a truck, you can change your lifestyle to finally make your sightseeing dreams come true. Whether you want to spend summer on the Great Lakes and winter in sunny L.A. or want the option to take a tour of your favorite national parks, a tiny home lets you travel more often.

Choosing Experiences Over Stuff

A cornerstone of the tiny house movement is the idea that when you clear the clutter from your life, you can focus on what makes you happy. Financial freedom means you have more time to do what you want, and when in a tiny house, it goes without saying that you’ll spend a whole lot less time doing chores. You'll have to decide which items are worth storing in your limited space, but it can be freeing to declutter and minimize your home.

Higher Quality of Life 

Many of the changes that come with a tiny home contribute to feelings of freedom, like donating unused items, buying less and living a more travel-friendly life. Flexibility is one of the most significant tiny home benefits. Many people feel like a tiny home lets them live the life they want. To learn more, check out this video where tiny house owners talk about what living in a tiny house means to them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gj0UZsY1iA

How to Make Your Tiny Home Energy-Efficient 

One of the greatest benefits of a tiny home is its energy savings. The ability to consume less power and produce less waste makes these homes popular. Many owners of tiny houses choose solar panels, composting toilets and other options for sustainable living. Reducing energy costs is a significant part of creating a greener lifestyle. Here are a few more energy-saving tips for tiny homes:

• Install a programmable thermostat: Electric heating and cooling are popular for tiny houses. You can reduce wasted energy and save money by programming your thermostat to adjust automatically at certain times.

• Insulate sufficiently: Poor insulation can cost a homeowner $200 to $400 a year. Cracks in windows, drafts and outdated heating and cooling systems create an uncomfortable home and a larger energy bill. Insulating can save a significant amount of money over time.

• Use LED bulbs: Compared to incandescent lights, LED bulbs have a longer life span and use around 75% less energy. You can save money by switching to more efficient LED bulbs.

• Upgrade to Energy Star appliances: Energy Star appliances are an investment in your tiny home's long-term energy efficiency. In 2019 alone, Americans saved $39 billion in energy costs by using Energy Star products.

• Apply window film: Sun streaming into your windows can increase energy costs by heating your home's interior and causing your AC to work harder. Purchasing window film for tiny homes is a simple solution, as it can reflect and absorb up to 86% of the sun's heat. 

Purchase Madico^®, Inc. Window Film for Tiny Homes

When looking into tiny home energy savings, consider Madico window film to reduce glare and decrease your energy costs. Our window film can block up to 99% of UV light from sun rays entering your windows. In a tiny house, a small change like applying window film can add up to big savings.

If you are interested in increasing your home's comfort using window film, contact us today or find a window film dealer who will help you find the right film for your tiny home.