Couple Living Off-Grid in Their DREAM Yurt Home in the Forest – How They Built It + Pros & Cons

Summary

Jill and Charles share their inspiring journey of building an off-grid, self-sufficient yurt home in the Vermont woods. After moving from the city, they designed and built their 700-square-foot yurt with solar power, rainwater collection, and eco-friendly systems. The couple faced challenges like harsh winters, summer heat, and isolation but embraced the freedom of off-grid living. Their story highlights their commitment to sustainability, community, and independence, providing a real-world example of how to live simply and sustainably in the modern world. Follow their journey on YouTube for more insights into their homesteading adventure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jill and Charles live off-grid in a 700 sq. ft. Yurt on a hillside in Vermont, with no incoming utilities, relying on solar power and a rainwater collection system.
• 😀 Charles has always wanted to live in the country, seeking peace, independence, and proximity to nature, including wildlife like bears, bobcats, and coyotes.
• 😀 The couple's home is built with modern materials, featuring a heavy-duty PVC vinyl roof, bubble wrap insulation, and a SIP panel floor to withstand Vermont's harsh conditions.
• 😀 The Yurt's structure was built from a kit, with Charles overseeing most of the construction, including installing a wind and snow kit to ensure its stability.
• 😀 A major design feature of the Yurt is its open concept, with a fully enclosed bathroom to manage moisture from showers, and a mini-split heat pump for climate control.
• 😀 The couple uses a rocket mass heater for heating, which distributes warmth through the floor, and also has a propane on-demand water heater with a glycol-based floor system to prevent freezing.
• 😀 The bathroom has a unique skylight, allowing natural light to flood the space during the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
• 😀 A rainwater collection system, consisting of gutters and underground storage tanks, provides enough water for up to four months, helping the couple avoid reliance on a well.
• 😀 Despite living in a small Yurt, Charles and Jill have made efficient use of space, with custom-built furniture and a utility closet for plumbing and electrical systems.
• 😀 They are debt-free, with minimal ongoing expenses, such as groceries, propane, and insurance, which has allowed them more freedom to work on their homestead and pursue seasonal or part-time work.
• 😀 The couple documents their off-grid journey on YouTube, sharing the process of building their home, as well as the challenges of rural living, such as building a local support network and managing the heat in the summer due to the Yurt's dome.

Q & A

Why did Charles and Jill decide to move to Vermont and build an off-grid homestead?

Charles and Jill moved to Vermont to be closer to nature and away from the city. Charles wanted to live independently without relying on external services, while Jill sought to escape city noises and live among wildlife, like bears, bobcats, and coyotes.

What motivated Charles to build an off-grid homestead?

Charles grew up in the country and always wanted to return to a more peaceful, independent lifestyle. Living in a city was just a means to an end, and he longed for the tranquility of rural life, free from dependence on external power sources.

How did Charles and Jill initially handle their off-grid living situation before building their home?

Before building their home, Charles and Jill stayed in an RV. They set up basic systems like solar power and a rainwater collection system, which allowed them to meet their water and power needs while living off-grid.

How did Charles set up the solar power system on their property?

Charles set up a 6kW solar array with 20 panels on the side of a hill. He built a solar shed to house the batteries and inverter, allowing the homestead to be fully powered by solar energy. The property has never relied on external power sources.

What challenges did they face when constructing the yurt?

The construction of the yurt was physically demanding, especially when raising the 30-foot yurt shell. The roof material alone weighed about 400 pounds, requiring the help of several people and scaffolding to lift it into place.

What are the primary sources of heat in their yurt?

The primary heat sources in the yurt are a mini-split heat pump and a rocket mass heater. The rocket mass heater is designed to heat the floor and distribute warmth evenly throughout the space. Additionally, they have a propane on-demand water heater that contributes to heating the floor through a glycol-based fluid system.

Why did they choose a rainwater collection system instead of a well?

Charles and Jill chose a rainwater collection system over drilling a well due to the area's climate and water availability. Neighbors experienced drought-related well issues, so they opted for a system that collects rainwater, which has been reliable and more sustainable for them.

How did they ensure that the rainwater collection system wouldn't freeze in winter?

To prevent freezing, the rainwater collection system components, including the tanks (SSTS) and plumbing, were buried underground. Charles also installed heated cables around the plumbing to keep everything from freezing during colder months.

What is the estimated cost of building their off-grid yurt home?

The estimated cost of the completed yurt, including the interior, off-grid systems, and all necessary infrastructure, is around $100,000. This includes the cost of the yurt kit, solar power setup, plumbing, and other systems like the septic system.

What are the main challenges they face living in a rural location?

One of the biggest challenges they faced was building a support network in the community, as they didn’t know anyone when they moved. Another surprising challenge was keeping the yurt livable in the summer due to the greenhouse effect caused by the skylight dome, which led them to install a mini-split air conditioning unit.