SIGNIFICANCE |
Sustainable Development
In order to truly live sustainably, one must meet their own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Most people in today's society do not live in this way. However, for many, the Tiny House Movement is a step in the right direction. Tiny houses use less materials, energy, and water during the building process and daily living, helping to reduce the over exploitation of world's natural resources. Tiny houses also help combat social issues, such as poverty, by providing a more than sufficient, low cost housing option for those struggling financially. At the heart of the Tiny House Movement is a conscious effort to reduce consumption that is in line with the principles of sustainable development.
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EnvironmentA tiny home requires less heating, cooling, water, and lighting, in turn reducing consumption and pollution. Also, because tiny homes are customizable, the materials used can be chosen by the owner.
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CostThe average American spends between 30% and 50% of their income on their home. Tiny houses cost roughly $23k, less than one tenth of what a typical home would cost. 68% of tiny home owners are mortgage free.
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SimplicityNot only does the tiny life combat materialism, it also reduces maintenance. When your house is only 200 square feet, there is much less cleaning to do and fewer repairs to make.
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Statistics on Environmental Impact:80% of a home's carbon emissions over a 70 year lifespan come from electricity and fuel consumption. A tiny home can significantly reduce these emissions. Many tiny houses can also be fitted with solar panels, so that all of their power comes from a renewable source. Living in a tiny home also has another environmental impact that cannot be quantified by a number: increased time outdoors. When inside home space is limited, people spend more time outside, learning more about nature and our Earth's natural systems. While there is no concrete evidence that being outside more decreases environmental impact, it does promote an increased understanding of nature that could be beneficial in effort to be more environmentally friendly.
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Statistics on Cost:
The average cost for a tiny home is 91.54% less than the average cost of a regular home. Based on the environmental statistics above, it can also be concluded that tiny home owners spend about 90% less on electricity bills. Due to the small nature of the home, they also do not spend as much on home repairs and maintenance. These last two components, along with the small initial cost of the home, lead the cost over 30 years of a tiny home to be relatively small, especially compared to the mind-boggling $1,073,000 of the average home.