Whilst most of us are content to build a log cabin in the garden, those with a more pioneering spirit choose an off grid log cabin.
Rising energy costs and a desire to build sustainably make off grid log cabin building a cost-effective and environmentally sound lifestyle choice.
Of course, no one would claim that avoiding all of life’s inevitable bills would be easy, but with small steps you can go a long way towards complete independence.
If you are fortunate enough to locate a plot of land with a stream or underground water source, then with a bucket, hand pump or well you can say goodbye to mains water. You will obviously need to build your cabin within easy reach of your water source to avoid additional ground works.
In remote locations connecting your log cabin to the mains grid is a relatively uneconomic proposition. Consider an off grid power solution combining a traditional diesel generator for backup, solar panels and a wind turbine. Solar panels are great for summer whereas wind power is more reliable in the winter months. You’ll also need an inverter and battery packs; there are many specialist companies that can supply an off the shelf solution as well as individual components.
Naturally, the simplest way to reduce your power consumption is to use less of it, but you should also consider sustainable alternatives. A wood burning stove will provide very efficient log cabin heating. If you have sufficient woodland to coppice on a seven year cycle, you can say farewell to heating bills altogether. Don’t forget to insulate well; straw bales are cheap and very efficient insulators.
In cold weather you may not wish to trek outside with the shovel and loo roll. Why not install a log cabin style compost toilet?
A compost toilet avoids the need for expensive drainage and sewerage systems, plus you finally get to recycle all that left over sawdust, spare logs and cladding you have from the cabin build. If you need more timber avoid the builder’s merchant or diy shed, just ask for off cuts from your nearest sawmill.