The Best Tiny House Heater Options for a Brisk Winter

(Featured home by perchandnest.com)

If you want to stay warm and cozy in your tiny home, you’ll have to choose the best tiny house heater. The average person spends at least $3000 on heating and cooling costs per year. Living in a tiny house can drastically cut those costs, but it can still sometimes end up being more expensive than you think!

Even the tiny house movement can be more energy-efficient.

There’s a lot to think about when choosing the best tiny house heater. You also have to install the proper insulation in your tiny home.

After 4.5 years of tiny house living, my boyfriend and I are so grateful for the steps we took during our build to ensure maximum temperature coziness. For example, the spray-foam insulation we used in our walls and ceiling provided exceptional energy-efficiency and tight air-sealing.

As a result, our tiny home easily maintains heat or cool air for an extended period, even after our tiny house heater is turned off.

Read on for information on the best tiny home heaters.

Choosing the Right Tiny House Heater 

So what are tiny house heater options when you don’t have access to a central heating system? Before you settle on any one tiny house heating method, carefully consider the choices and your specific circumstances for the winter. 

If you’re planning to be off-the-grid, you need tiny home heater options with little to no power needs.

Be realistic about your own tastes and habits, as well. For instance, you may like the idea of an idyllic small wood burning stove on a frosty night, but don’t forget about the potential safety concerns.

The upfront and long-term costs of each type of these tiny house heaters vary as well.

Notably, the size of your tiny home and the type of insulation used directly affects how many BTUs your space requires to condition it, with heat or cooling comfortably.

Use an online calculator to determine your BTU needs. You’ll need the following pieces of information on hand: insulation R-values in your walls, floor and ceiling height dimensions, and the temperature difference between a cold day and what you want your interior temperature to be. 

After calculating the appropriate BTU designation, look for a tiny house heater that can meet those requirements. I recommend erring on the side of over-doing it, but if you do, choose an option with a thermostat (built-in or exterior-mounted) to allow you to set a comfortable temperature.

Remember, some of the essential factors to consider when choosing the best tiny home heater include cost, safety, energy efficiency, and convenience.

When choosing the best tiny home heater for you, a great way to narrow your search is to start by prioritizing these things and setting a budget. 

Tiny Home Heater Comparision Chart

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Air Choice Electric Heater	QUIET PORTABLE HEATER ENERGY SAVING RADIATOR HEATER DURABLE AND MAINTENANCE FREE	Check Price
	Mr. Heater Vent-Free Propane Heater	10,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater  Radiant heat burner Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)	Check Price
	Pioneer Mini Split	Ultra-silent and beautifully built Use for both cooling and heating 12000 BTU/hour with 19 SEER and 10 HSPF efficiency Save money all year-round with a highly efficient ductless mini split inverter+ heat pump system	Check Price
	The Dwarf 4K	Top or Rear Flue Exit and Top Cooking Surface Cast Iron Door and Firebox for Durability and Heat Retention Large Window for Monitoring and Enjoying the Fire	Check Price

The Best Tiny House Electric Heaters

One of the obvious perks of having a tiny house is that it doesn’t take much energy to heat it. That’s why you can get away with using an electric space tiny house heater to keep warm!

And it is one of the most popular tiny home heater options for a good reason.

You can choose your electric radiator heater’s size and don’t need to worry about a complicated installation. Just go to the store, pick the one you want, and plug it in. Easy as pie.

This is what we use as our tiny home heater. It easily heats our entire space, though it can be slow to warm up. But once it’s cranking, we almost always turn it down to the lowest setting. Otherwise, we can wake up sweating! Keep in mind that our tiny house is only 130 square feet.

The pros of an electric heater for a tiny house are many, but there are a few downsides. To start, you will be thrilled with how inexpensive they can be to purchase. You’ll find options that range from $35-$150.

This is an option for those planning to stay on the grid during the fall and winter months. But you’ll need a power source to run a radiator heater.

Electric Tiny House Heater Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Quality Electric Tiny Home Heaters

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Air Choice Oil Filled Radiator Heater	QUIET PORTABLE HEATER Oil-filled radiator heater was made to be energy-saving Durable and capable of handling harsh environments	Check Price
	TaoTronics Space Heater	Efficient Heating Energy saving Wide-angle Oscillation	Check Price
	Air Choice Wall Mount Heater	Safety and Reliable. Gentle and Quiet Heating. No Fan Design.	Check Price
	Electric Wood Stove	Flame Control Safe to Touch Easy to Use	Check Price

Tiny House Propane Heaters

A propane tiny house heater is quite a bit less expensive at the start in comparison with a tiny house wood burning stove. Hitting anywhere from around $75-$1,500, you can choose one that works for your wallet.

Perhaps the best off-grid option, to cover all your bases, is to use a propane heater in conjunction with a wood stove.

Propane Tiny Home Heater Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Quality Propane Tiny House Heaters

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Mr. Heater Vent-Free Propane Heater	10,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater Radiant heat burner Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)	Check Price
	ProCom Magnum Propane Convection Heater	ASSEMBLED IN USA 80, 000 BTU Operates off Liquid Propane Gas Two (2) heat settings	Check Price
	Martin Direct Vent Propane Wall Heater	WARM, ADJUSTABLE HEAT Built-in thermostat  STYLISH & CLEAN ENERGY	Check Price

Using a Mini Split Heater for a Tiny House

Every tiny house dweller loves multifunctional design. That’s what makes mini-split tiny house heaters so handy. They’re an excellent heating and air conditioning solution for year-round weather changes.

A mini-split tiny home heater is highly energy efficient in controlling the temperature and comfort level of your tiny home.

A mini-split tiny house heater requires straightforward installation and no ductwork at all.

There are two components: a small, low-profile air handling unit mounted on the wall, which is connected to an exterior-mounted compressor (installed typically on the trailer tongue).

While they can be a more costly investment, mini-splits provide efficient cooling and heating for a tiny house without the need for propane. Though if you live in a freezing climate, with negative temperatures, these heaters can struggle.

Additionally, it is possible to run this type of tiny house heater off a solar power system. Though to run a mini-split without interruption, it will require extra solar panels and battery storage capacity. So plan for even more expensive upfront costs.

A mini-split heater is a great tiny house heating option.

Mini Split Tiny House Heater Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Quality Mini Split Tiny Home Heaters

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Pioneer Mini Split	Highly efficient ductless mini split inverter+ heat pump system Ultra-silent and beautifully built Use for both cooling and heating 12000 BTU/hour with 19 SEER and 10 HSPF efficiency	Check Price
	Senville Mini Split Heat Pump	4-in-1 Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump Can Be Installed in Virtually Any Home, Condo or Space Whisper Quiet Operation (25dB)	Check Price

Tiny House Wood Burning Stoves

If you’re a tiny house homeowner, odds are you already consider yourself a bit of an idealist. Something about being able to live on little and pick up and leave whenever you please is thrilling. And, most importantly, the feeling of self-sufficiency.

In this case, you might be most happy with a tiny house wood burning stove to warm your little space. 

A tiny fireplace looks aesthetically-pleasing, and while the upfront cost is on the pricey end, fueling them is less costly. You’re looking at spending somewhere between $800-$4,000 for a proper wood stove installation.

Additionally, you may want to consider a back-up tiny home heater for cold early mornings or if your woodpile runs low.

Tiny House Wood Stove Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Quality Small Wood Stoves for Tiny House

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Grizzly Cubic Mini	Easy to install and easy to operate! Measures only 13″ x 15″  x 12″ ( 33.02 cm x 38.1 cm x 30.48 cm ) Eco-friendly.	Check Price
	The Dwarf 4k	Cast Iron Door and Firebox for Durability and Heat Retention Large Window for Monitoring and Enjoying the Fire Top or Rear Flue Exit and Top Cooking Surface	Check Price
	England’s Stove Works Black Bear	Weighs only 63 lbs 2.7 cu. Ft. Firebox Temp Control for 348 sq. in. cooking area	Check Price

Tiny House Heater Air Quality Concerns

The first part of using a tiny house heater comes during the build when you put in the right insulation.

Experience has shown that the maintenance and energy use of tiny homes on wheels is much more cost-effective when compared to traditional homes.

However, there can be air quality and mold issues, especially for those relying on a propane tiny house heater.

This is not typically an issue for conventional homes because they are ventilated differently than tiny houses. Things can go horribly wrong if ventilation and air quality are not given proper consideration during the build.

On the positive, many professional tiny house builders are aware of these issues.

Smaller tiny house electrical heaters or a tiny house wood stove may be the best bet to avoid excess moisture and carbon monoxide.

However, if you go with some kind of furnace or propane heating for your tiny home, a smart wireless thermostat may be a worthwhile monitoring solution.

It can help you regulate your home temperature and air quality levels. Thanks to technology, you can even do this right from your phone. How cool!

This way, your tiny home can maintain its coziness and cleaner air levels wherever you are. Just make sure that your battery charger is constantly full and ensure your home is adequately insulated so that more heat is retained.

Also, look into self-ventilating skylights when using a tiny house heater. They can monitor tiny house heating temperature, air quality, and they have rain sensors—electric and solar-powered options are available.

Additionally, a de-humidifier like this one works wonders for reducing moisture in the air. We use one at night; an added benefit is white noise, and helping us fall asleep. In the morning, we’re often surprised by how much water is collected.

Mind the gap for effective tiny house heating

Some of the best ways to ensure you stay warm include building your tiny home right from the start. Proper insulation is key to keeping heat and cold air inside. How good is your insulation? Are there any gaps or cracks where the warm air in your house could be escaping?

If your windows aren’t sealed properly or if your doors don’t have weather stripping along the bottom, you could be letting all of the warm air out of your house. That causes your system to work overtime, trying to keep it at the temperature you want.

Try Spray Foam

If you’re good with the insulation you have but still want to make it more efficient, spray foam might be the answer to your problems. Spray form insulation can reduce your heating and cooling bills by as much as 50%.

For the DIY types, you can buy your own spray foam kits online and take care of upgrading your insulation on your own time (and dime). Just make sure that you take the proper safety precautions before you start spraying!

The closed-cell spray foam we used in our tiny home is worth its weight in gold. It allows our tiny house to maintain a steady temperature during extreme weather, keeping it moderately cool or warm even without a heating or cooling source.

Also, it acts as an additional structural component (bonus strength, or like the glue that holds it all together). It also provides some soundproofing. Our tiny house is remarkably quiet, even in loud areas, when all our windows are closed.

Because our tiny house is so tightly sealed, we keep an upstairs window cracked in the winter, and again, we use a dehumidifier to minimize moisture in the home. It worked like a charm for us.

Use a Programmable Thermostat to track your tiny home heater

Depending on how your house was built, you might be able to use a programmable thermostat in conjunction with a tiny house heater to heat and cool your tiny home.

Not only does this allow you to set the specific temperature you want your tiny house to be, but you can also set it to raise or lower the temperature depending on the time of day.

When you leave for work in the winter, it can lower the temperature, saving you money. Before you come back, it can begin warming up your house again.

It’s energy-efficient and excellent for Type-A folks who want to set the temperature at precisely 72.5 degrees.

Here’s our favorite programmable thermostat – click the photo for details.

Use Solar Design for Tiny House Heating and Cooling

Did you know that some solar designs can heat your home in the winter and help to keep it cool in the summer? This way, you can use 100% renewable energy to heat and cool your house!

If you’re building your tiny house from the ground up, consider using new solar design techniques from the start. Though, you can implement it in a finished tiny home too.

Heating with radiant floors is increasingly popular; it can be powered by solar-heated water. Not only will your feet always be toasty warm, but it can also heat your entire space. Though depending on size, a supplemental heating source could be needed.

Tiny House Heating for a Cozy Winter

While tiny house heating needs are minimal compared to more traditional-sized homes, the need for comfort still remains.

Never skimp on safety in exchange for a cheap option.

Regardless of which method you decide, it is worth your time and effort, review all these options first. Doing your due diligence will ensure you’re not caught off guard as the first frost in many states begins to sweeps in.

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