Observations of energy consumption and IEQ in a 'tiny house'

The 'Tiny House' is a class of residential construction with floor areas less than 400 ft2 (37.16 m2). The components of the Tiny House (TH) pose certain unique challenges in terms of maintaining appropriate indoor environmental quality and resultant energy consumption that have not been previously researched. Hence, the objectives of this research were to measure the impact of physical characteristics, such as building envelope and volume of a TH on the resultant indoor environmental quality and energy consumption. The intent is to identify the parameters responsible to ensure comfortable and healthy conditions in the TH. This paper presents an analysis of some of the first reported measurements of indoor environmental conditions and energy use in the TH in a cold climate. To accomplish this task, two THs built in Bozeman Montana were instrumented and monitored. Occupant logs were conducted to collect data for occupant related activities. The results obtained from this research contributed to the development of strategies for the construction and operation of building systems that are tailored to the unique configuration of the TH. In doing so, the study reassessed specifications that are currently available in building codes that may not be applicable to THs.