Keeping your tiny home warm through Canada’s coldest temperatures

From tiny homes to homes of any size, when the cold winter air starts to set in throughout the country, our conversations shift to making sure our spaces remain safe and warm.  

Thank you to Teacup Tiny Homes for providing these tips!

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

First things first, are tiny homes warm enough?

The key depends on a few things: the systems you have in your home, how skilled the builders are, and knowing the basic principles that make your place warm. It’s not just about how much insulation is in the walls; it’s about making sure everything works together. From placing the wall supports in smart ways to prevent heat loss, to understanding how heating systems work, every little thing matters. Plus, if you make changes without knowing what you’re doing, it could cause problems later on.

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

Let’s talk about some tips and tricks to protect your tiny home and even a regular-sized home from winter’s temperatures. It’s important to remember that many of these issues don’t just apply to living tiny! Frozen water lines and bursting pipes can happen to anyone, especially if they’re left unchecked in a cold snap!  Checking your home daily during dropping temperatures is rule number 1 and something also required by many insurance policies. 

Let’s get into some winter maintenance tips:

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

Ensure the inside of your home stays warm: In places like Canada and Alaska, heating systems usually use propane or natural gas. Here’s the thing though: propane needs to be kept warm. If your propane supply stops working, you might have to use electricity for heating. So make sure your propane stays flowing by using a heat blanket or heat tape.

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

Keep water pipes warm to prevent freezing: In cold weather, open the cabinet doors under your sinks and near pipes so that the heat inside can move around and stop the pipes from freezing along the outside walls. If you’re worried about the water pipes freezing, let a small amount of water run through them.

In the event of a power outage: If the power goes out, switch off the water and open all the faucets to let the system drain. This helps avoid pipes breaking or fixtures getting damaged.

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

Insulate and Skirt Your Tiny Home: Ensure your tiny home is skirted with insulated material. In extreme cold, consider placing an outdoor-rated heater under the skirted area for additional warmth.

Photo: Teacup Tiny Homes

Keep in mind, that your first winter living tiny is a chance to learn. Just like with any type of owning a home, these suggestions are important for safeguarding what you’ve invested in, whether it’s a comfy tiny home or a more typical one.

Thank you to Teacup Tiny Homes for providing these tips!