Heating

There are a variety of heating options for small spaces. Below we review the most compelling options by fuel type.

Electric ductless mini-split heaters (also a/c) are a highly efficient form of electric heating (as a heat pump, these are far more efficient per watt than standalone heaters), and includes the benefit of air conditioning. See the section on cooling for more details. (On display at the Showcase: Studio Shed)

Electric ceramic heater wall panels: among all standalone electric heaters, these appear to be the lowest profile and among the safest, quietest (no fan), easily wall mountable, paintable, and inexpensive. Two of these have been tested at the Showcase, and have worked well for several years. Note that at 400 watts apiece, two of them are still half the wattage of your typical bulky space heater (1600+ watts), so it is important to have a well insulated space. Also note all electric heaters can be wired to temperature control switches, and/or Wi-Fi switches for remote operation. $80 or so on Amazon. (On display at the Showcase: Minim House)

Gas– Dickinson propane fireplaces have been standard in many tiny homes for years. These work well, have a romantic flame, allow off-grid operation, and have a 12V fan that pulls air through the combustion chamber to quickly heat a small space. Note that these must be manually fired up, which takes a minute, and the heaters can use up a fair amount of propane per hour of operation (1lb of propane every 5.5-7 hours, depending on the model). Safety-wise, crucially, these heaters have a double-walled venting pipe, which means they take in outside air through the outer pipe, then vent combustion gases through the inner. This ensures that the heater is not pulling draft air from the inside of very small quarters (boat, micro house, etc). Note after extensive testing, the 12,000 Btu unit is recommended over the 9,000 Btu unit to more quickly heat up small spaces in winter. $1200-1400 from Dickinson propane fireplaces. (On display at the Showcase: Minim House)

A more practical (but perhaps less sexy) gas option for small spaces is a direct vent wall furnace, such as this 11,000 Btu unit from Rinnai. Most usefully, unlike the Dickinson, it has a thermostat (so if the occupant leaves, the pipes won’t freeze or the space won’t overheat). One user reports that unlike the Dickinson, the flame doesn’t blow out at times when opening the house door (though this has never been an issue in the Minim House). Note that this unit may not be practical for off-grid uses, as it requires electricity (it specs a 47 watt electrical load).

Ethanol: ethanol fireplaces are a relatively new innovation, requiring no venting/chimney. Brian has used sophisticated air quality monitoring equipment to test the combustion efficiency and air quality of these fireplaces, and have been impressed- no dangerous fumes when it burns. However, like all open fires, they do take up indoor air to combust, so you’ll need to crack a window when they are lit. These come in a variety of sizes, but all have a small stainless steel firebox which holds the liquid ethanol as it burns. These are decidedly not appropriate for regular heating needs, but do generate a nice (open!) flame, are very clean (no ash), easy to use, use a renewable energy source (ethanol), and can be easily stowed out of the way at the end of winter. (on display at the Showcase: Studio Shed)

Wood: there are a few very small wood stoves that have been used in small structures, they typically are rated to generate more heat than is needed and require outside combustion air to operate safely. A notable caveat of wood stoves within small spaces is that it is imperative that adequate combustion air be provided. The Sardine stove (typically used on boats) produces a respectable amount of heat within a small footprint. It is available in custom porcelain enamel colors and features a small cook surface on top of the stove.

Diesel/kerosene: Popular in Japan and the EU, the Toyostove Laser 300 is slightly oversized for micro homes (at 5-15,000 BTU it heats up to 700ft2), but can be run at the low range of heat. It accepts K-1 Kerosene, No. 1 Low Sulfur Fuel Oil, or Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil /Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, and has an electronic thermostat that you can set and forget. Brian used one of these for a week in Montana with 10 degree weather and it worked very well. Note that it requires a 120VAC, and uses 240watts to ‘preheat’ the unit- may not be ideal for off-grid electrical use.

9 Comments

Leave your reply.

Sharon Saunders
· Reply

June 21, 2015 at 7:24 AM

Have you checked into vented natural gas/propane fireplaces? I have lived in a 500 sq. ft cabin of the Piedmont, NC for the past 10 years. While I have a heat pump that I set at 55 when I am out or sleeping, when home I heat with my propane fireplace. It tends to overheat the place when outside temperatures are 40 degrees F and up so that I don’t keep it on consistently. But when the temperatures drop well below freezing it keeps the cabin quite warm as well as providing heat if the power goes out. I have two 50lb. tanks that I switch between, but I have never used more than one in a 12 month period. (I also cook with gas). When I retire in a few years, I plan to build a 300 sq. ft. tiny house on piers, that I will again heat with a gas fireplace and probably the ceramic wall heaters instead of a heat pump.
- Brian
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  June 22, 2015 at 9:00 AM
  
  Thanks- we list the Dickinson propane fireplaces, as well as the Rinnai. If there are others appropriate for micro living, let us know!
Philip D.
· Reply

July 28, 2015 at 8:58 AM

Looks like you’ve got a lot of the common heaters here so maybe it’s time for me to make a decision. Since most lists have the same models I’ll probably go with one of those once a sale hits. Thanks for the help, great article!
Ashley Weaver
· Reply

September 1, 2015 at 1:22 PM

Have you looked into or hear of anyone using radiant heat in their tiny homes? It’s quite common for traditional homes here in Colorado. Considering it as an option but would love to know if other tiny dwellers have had experience with this option for heat – either good or bad. Thank you!
- Brian
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  September 4, 2015 at 11:30 AM
  
  I have not, perhaps due to the relative complexity of installing/operating them in mobile micro units compared to wall heaters/mini splits. If you hear of any successfully functioning systems, let us know!
Jody Brady
· Reply

September 14, 2015 at 3:58 PM

We are about to install our Kimberly wood stove from Unforgettable Fire. From what we hear from other tiny housers, it’s a great tiny-house heating solution. Fingers crossed. Will check back with a review when we get it fired up.
- Dee D.
  · Reply
  
  November 12, 2015 at 4:02 PM
  
  Jody, how is it? please provide an update when available! I am in the process of looking at options and this sounds good. I have a small Jotul in my 200 sq ft office space and it WAY overheats, so I am a bit wary of wood!
Peter A. Tower
· Reply

March 18, 2016 at 12:55 PM

I just consulted on a passive solar house that steps down a mountain side at an altitude of 7500ft. Located above Mussourie, India among pine trees, it occasionally gets snow there but mostly around 0 C and above all winter.
We installed electric radiant heating mats below the tile floors. Made by Danfoss of Europe. It draws 130W per square meter and operates off a thermostat.
You leave it on for 3 hours and then it just keeps warming all night. Bullet proof product, easy to install and operate. Plus you don’t install it below beds or sofas, etc., only in open areas, so it cuts down on costs.
I have heated houses with Vermont Castings Defiant stoves, electric/ceramic beehive heaters, radiators and baseboard heating. I found this heating to be clean, simple, marvelously even and comparatively cheap for a do it yourselfer. There are now many competitors in the market with similar products.
Yes, I know that it is not an off-grid solution, but for those of us who are transitioning (albeit slowly), it is one solution.
Peter in India
Joshua Woodsman
· Reply

November 29, 2016 at 10:54 AM

Some of these look like very nice options. Figuring out heating in tiny house or small cabin is quite a challenge, but luckily on can find so many information online. I (tiny house desginer and supporter) wrote a little article about what ways of heating a small place are there, so if anyone is interested, I always appreciate a feedback http://www.pinuphouses.com/tiny-houses-heating/