Tiny houses are smaller and therefore use less materials to build and less resources to run, making them much better for the environment than a conventional home.
But an eco-friendly tiny house can go even further as Grant Kennedy from Luxe Tiny Homes explains, “it's essentially a tiny house that's built with sustainably sourced materials and is completely off-grid.” Building with eco-friendly and sustainable materials, using composting toilets, rainwater tanks and solar power are some of the elements included.
Sustainable design and green building are also both crucial. Here are some key elements that make a green tiny home.
Tiny homes may be smaller but that doesn’t necessarily make building one easier. Some people want to tackle the project themselves, while other feel more comfortable going to an established tiny house builder.
Not all tiny house builders are the same warns Grant Kennedy. "Do your research and choose a builder that conforms the NCC Australian building code and has a track record of high quality buildings; after all you don't want your tiny house investment deteriorating prematurely."
"Fully built eco tiny homes usually range from $90,000 to $140,000 but can cost more depending on what renewable energy sources are installed and the complexity of the tiny home you choose."
Before choosing a tiny house builder it’s worth asking these questions:
Energy efficient appliances are key for your tiny build. Head online or visit some stores and choose white goods that’ll fit your build, and have a good efficiency rating. Consider whether you want a fridge, dishwasher, clothes washer, or dryer, and whether you can get them in the right size for a tiny home.
When going fully off-grid you will need to consider how much solar power your tiny home will need? Do you have a dishwasher or washing machine, or air conditioning? Do you have access to water on the property or do you need a water tank? When building a tiny house yourself, be cautious about adding too much weight as your tiny home must weigh less than 4.5 tonnes to be roadworthy.
Unless you’re a jack of all trades, you’ll need help to build your tiny eco home. Bringing in a professional is also a bonus if you intend to sell your home at some point, as it will give the new buyers peace of mind.
Melbourne recently hosted its first tiny house expo in March 2022, with demand for the mini dwellings tipped to explode in the next two years.
"We can't build them fast enough", says Grant. "More and more people are looking to live more sustainably and eco-friendly. That doesn't mean you have to give up the little luxuries in life either. There are many options and building techniques that help you achieve both."
The Byron tiny house model featured on Channel 7 and at the Melbourne Tiny House Expo is built using as many sustainability sourced and eco-friendly materials as possible. From the timber frame and wall lining, to the bamboo flooring and paint, even the incinerating toilet - the model was designed with building towards net-zero first in mind says Grant.
Many people are gravitating towards the tiny house movement. Whether you're fascinated by the detailed builds, or are keen to live in one yourself, tiny houses are here to stay.
