If you’re considering making the switch to an off-grid lifestyle, congratulations! You’re about to embark on a wonderful journey of self-sufficiency. But one of the first questions you’ll need to answer is how you’re going to keep your home warm during the colder months. Off-grid heating is a highly significant matter that requires the best possible solution.
There are a few different options for heating your off-grid home, and which one you choose will depend on a number of factors, including your climate, budget, and personal preferences. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular methods for heating an off-grid home, so that you can make the best decision for your situation.
What Is the Cheapest Most Efficient Way to Heat?
There are a few different ways that you can heat your home without being connected to the grid, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Here we’ll take a look at three of the most popular off-grid heating options and see which one is the cheapest and most efficient.
Woodstove or Fireplace
This is probably the most classic way of staying warm off the grid. If you have access to wood, whether it’s from your own land or bought/cut from elsewhere, then burning it in a stove or fireplace can be a great way to heat your home. The main downside of this method is that it requires regular attention – you need to keep feeding the fire and make sure it doesn’t go out overnight. But if you’re prepared to put in the work, then a woodstove can be a very effective way of heating your home cheaply and efficiently.
The air intake in this burner is divided, so some of the air goes up and some goes down, making combustion more complete. The speed of the airflow can be adjusted whenever you wish, and due to the burner’s design, you don’t have to worry about the air inlet falling out.
Click here to read more reviews of this incredible woodstove.
Solar Air Heater
A solar air heater uses the sun’s energy to heat up air which is then circulated around your home using fans or ducts. These systems can be quite complex to install, but once they’re up and running they are very cheap to operate since they rely entirely on free solar power. And since they don’t use any fossil fuels, they’re also environmentally friendly. Naturally, solar air heaters only work when there’s sunshine, so during cloudy weather or at night you’ll need another source of heat.
Amazon has a great selection of high-quality, affordable solar air heaters. Click the link to read reviews and compare prices.
Geothermal System
A geothermal system uses underground pipes filled with water to capture natural heat from the earth and circulate it through your home using a pump. These systems are generally more expensive than other off-grid heating options, but they are also much more efficient since they make use of renewable energy sources like ground water or hot springs instead of relying on fossil fuels like propane or wood. And because they don’t produce any emissions, geothermal systems are also very environmentally friendly.
How to Heat Your Off-Grid Home With Passive Heating
Passive heating deserves its own section in this article. One of the great things about passive heating is that it doesn’t require any energy to operate – making it perfect for those who are trying to live off the grid. There are a few different ways to go about passive heating, and which one you choose will depend on your climate and what type of building you’re using.
In colder climates, solar gain can be a great way to heat up your space. This simply means positioning your windows in such a way that they let in maximum sunlight during the day. The sun’s rays will help warm up the air inside, and if you have thermal mass (like bricks or concrete) in your space, it will absorb the heat and release it slowly over time, helping to keep you warm even after the sun goes down.
Another option for passive heating is an earth sheltered home. These homes are built partially or completely underground, with thick walls made from materials like earth, stone, or concrete. They work well in both hot and cold climates by staying at a relatively constant temperature underground – meaning less extreme swings in temperature that need to be compensated for. And because they rely on the ground for stability, they often withstand bad weather better than above-ground homes as well.
Last but not least, there’s good old-fashioned insulation. This is probably the most common method of keeping homes warm passively – by trapping heat inside with thicker walls, ceiling insulation, draft stoppers, etc. You can also use reflective film on your windows to help deflect heat back into your space during colder months. No matter which climate you’re in, insulating your home properly can make a big difference in how comfortable it is year-round.
The following informative video further explores the topic of passive heating:
How to Stay Warm Without Any Appliances
Sometimes we might get surprised by the cold weather. If our new off-grid homestead is not fully equipped yet, here is what we can do to stay warm without using any appliances and devices.
Dress in Layers
This may seem obvious, but it’s really important. Wear a base layer of something light and breathable, like wool or silk. Then add a middle layer of something insulating, like fleece or down. And finally, top it off with a waterproof outer layer to keep out the wind and rain.
Stay Active
Exercise is a great way to generate body heat. So even on days when you don’t feel like going outside, try to do some indoor exercises to stay warm.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Staying hydrated will help your body regulate its temperature better. So make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Hot drinks can also help – just be careful not to overdo it on the caffeine as that can make you more dehydrated.
Eat Warming Foods
Certain foods can actually help improve circulation and raise your body temperature from within (think chili peppers, ginger and garlic). So if you’re feeling chilly, reach for these kinds of foods instead of comfort snacks like ice cream or chocolate cake.
Need more proven methods to stay warm? I made a thorough list of 30 ways to stay warm without power. Click the link to learn more about heating yourself and your house, when no working electric devices are available.
Off-Grid Heating: Top Ready-Made Solutions
In addition to the previously suggested off-grid heating methods, Amazon has several items that work well with an off-grid setup. They don’t consume too much power and are perfectly safe. Let’s have a look at them.
Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy
It can heat a space of 225 sq. ft and can run for 5.4 hours on low heat settings and 2.4 hours on high heat settings. It’s perfect for heating tents, decks, patios, porches, construction trailers, sheds, barns, and more. You can use it at home or take it with you on picnics, because it’s portable, easy to carry using the attached handle, and weighs only 9 pounds.
You don’t have to worry too much about safety since this heater comes with a couple of important safety systems: it’s safe to use indoors as well as outdoors and features an Apex 50-degree Tip-Switch and a Thermal Shut Down System.
If the heater happens to tip over, it automatically shuts off, keeping everyone and everything safe. The same occurs in cases where there’s detection of low levels of oxygen and if pilot light goes out.
One thing to remember is that the propane cylinder is not included and should be purchased separately.
Click here to read more reviews and compare prices.
Campy Gear Hunky
The Campy Gear Hunky has a maximum output of 18,000 BTU and radiates heat in 360 degrees, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether in a closed space or outside, it does the job perfectly to heat 5-6 people, not to mention the ability to heat some food or drinks on it at the same time, acting as a stove if and when needed.
As for its safety features, this heater/stove is surrounded by a double fence to protect against the heat and it will shut off in case it tips over or if oxygen levels are low.
Only 17.35 pounds, this portable heater/stove is ideal for heating the space you’re in and enjoying some hot food and drinks at the same time. No wonder it has hundreds of positive reviews and high-rating at Amazon.
Click here to read more reviews and compare prices.
Vornado TAVH10 Electric Space Heater
Using the elegant LCD screen, set the desired temperature you want to enjoy from in the room, thanks to the heater’s climate control. You can choose between 2 heat settings as well as a Fan-Only option. Power consumption is 750W for low and 1500W for high. The heater comes with a remote as well for a more convenient way to control the room’s temperature.
With that said, the Vornado has another interesting feature which is the Vortex Action. What does it do you ask? Well, this is a special airflow that flows fast, warm, but also gentle, and this way it is able to heat all the air in the room.
This heater is also a smart one, as it can sense the needed heat and circulation for the room in order to get to the desired temperature, and so it adjusts its activity to keep the temperature you’ve selected.
You don’t have to worry about the heater working while you go to take a nap or sleep, since it comes with advanced safety features and a timer that can be set to 1-12 hours, so you can sleep quietly and set when you want the heater to turn off.
As for safety features, the Vornado TAVH10 shuts itself off when it senses excess heat and if the heater is tipped off.
The device is of course portable and easy to carry using the handle and weighing only 6.91 pounds, so all you need is to plug it and turn it on.
Click here to read more reviews and compare prices.
GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater
The thermostat control in the heater can sense the room’s temperature, so it will shut off when the desired temperature is reached and will turn back on when needed, that is when temperature in the room drops. You can adjust the preferred temperature from 0℉ to 158℉.
The heater works quietly (lower than 45 decibels) so you can enjoy it while sleeping and in seconds, it is able to heat up a space of 200 square feet.
When it comes to safety features, the GiveBest Portable Space Heater is made of materials that are flame retardant, and it will shut off automatically if it will tip over or overheat. Once you put it back on the right position, it will start working once again.
It’s compact, comes with a built-in carry handle for easy transportation and weighs only 3 pounds, making it ideal for both home and outdoor use like picnic or camping.
Click here to read more reviews and compare prices.
Final Words
So there you have it, the complete knowledge of how to keep yourself warm while living off the grid. Off-grid heating is an important yet achievable goal, as you could see from this article.
Off-grid living has additional areas of interest that require practical approach. I did my best to write complete guides on everything related to the off-grid living. For instance, I strongly recommend reading my post dedicated to off-grid farming, which explains what you can grow and how you can enjoy fresh and clean food around the year.
Communication and being online are also a must these days. You can’t live entirely isolated from the rest of the world. My posts about off-grid communication and off-grid Internet will explain how to stay connected even if you live off the grid in a remote area.
And finally, if the above article don’t cover the topics you’re interested in, you can find the rest of them in my complete how-to guide to off-grid living. It has everything you need to know: preparation, costs and expenses, finding the best places to live, generating off-grid power, establishing off-grid water systems, and more!
Best of luck in your off-grid journey!