Heating Small Spaces Off-Grid

Heating Small Spaces Workshop

How much energy does it take to keep a goat shed warm? A tiny home? An off-grid water tank from freezing? In this workshop, we'll explore the physics of heat loss and learn practical methods for estimating heating requirements for small spaces.

What You'll Learn

• The fundamental heat transfer equation (Q = U × A × ΔT) and what it means in practice
• How insulation works: understanding R-values and U-values
• Calculating heat loss through walls, roofs, floors, and air leaks
• Comparing heat sources: wood, propane, electric, and heat pumps
• How to right-size a heating system for your space

Hands-On Activities

We'll build small insulated boxes (about 2' square) and run experiments:

• Install incandescent bulbs as heat sources and temperature sensors inside and out
• Test different insulation materials and thicknesses
• Measure real temperature differences and compare to our calculations
• Explore the effects of air movement with small fans
• Discuss how heat pumps work and consider building a small demonstration model

Practical Applications

The principles we cover apply to many real-world scenarios:

• Keeping livestock water from freezing off-grid
• Heating animal shelters (goat sheds, chicken coops)
• Sizing heaters for tiny homes and cabins
• Understanding when insulation improvements pay off
• Evaluating different heating technologies for off-grid use

Workshop Details

Ideal for homesteaders, tiny home builders, and anyone curious about the physics of staying warm. We'll combine hands-on experiments with practical calculations you can apply to your own projects.