Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Fake Wood Stove

This is the cute little electric "stove" that has been doing most of the heating work this year. I've only run the propane heater 3 times - on mornings when the temp was in the 20's. Cold for us! I bought the stove online for under $100. I've since seen them in stores for about the same price. It works well for this little space and the "fire" adds so much atmosphere - I love it! My electric bill has doubled - up to around $10 month with the stove, but it would cost me over $200 to fill the propane tank, so I'm pleased with the savings. I'm only using the propane for cooking and water heating.

Some New Pics!


This is the sleeping loft with a full size mattress. I keep a down comforter tucked on the side, a fire extinguisher, a phone, paper towels (I have cats) and a trash bag upstairs. You can also see the carbon monoxide detector on the ceiling.

My ridiculously large propane tank was begging for some holiday cheer, so I made "Frosty, the Pro-man"!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tiny House Podcast!

A few weeks ago Terry Phelan, an architect very much into green thinking, contacted me to be part of a podcast with Jay Shafer, the architect who designs the Tumbleweed houses. If you would like to hear that podcast, go to the link below, find Terry under "Show Hosts" and then access the podcast list for the "A Tiny House Can Set You Free" cast. It runs about 20 minutes and I am on about 2/3 of the way in. Let me know what you think!

/webtalkradio.net/index.php/show-podcasts/119-living-shelter-design?format=feed&type=rss

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Back to normal!

Last night temperatures here returned to their normal range - thank goodness. I didn't have to leave the taps dripping to keep the pipes from freezing. I just hate wasting water. Of course, normal temps means back to rain as well. It poured nearly all night and it's raining now, but I think we will have some brief periods of dry so I can at least walk Rosebud.

I know just about everyone in the country is experiencing wild weather this week. Makes one appreciate how vulnerable we are to climate change.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Brrrrrrr....!


Well, it got down to 24 degrees last night. It was 28 the night before. Not very cold compared to SOME parts of the country, I know, but very unusual here. Things here are just not made for freezing weather.

My November electric bill came in at $10 - double the normal bill, but I was expecting an increase. Still, it is something I can live with!

A reader asked about the insulation. It is 3 inch solid foam panels in between the studs. Seems very effective.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Home for the Holidays!




Well, it's hard to beat the charm of this tiny house during the holiday season. Even without a fluffy blanket of snow, it looks cozy and cheerful, and, well, CUTE!

I've added some more lights and was able to snap a picture at sunset, so lights and house show up.

The temps are dipping around here, but the house holds heat very well. I'll check on my November electric bill tomorrow and let you know whether my idea of heating only with electric was a good one or not!