6 Tips for Colorado Winter in a Tiny House - How I stay warm in my 34x10 home

[@SometimesMyself]

I find the safest and most energy efficient space heaters to be the oil filled radiators (nothing to clean, either), though a wall-mounted heater panel might be the best option for the bathroom. Beautiful home, by the way!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thanks for the tip!

[@CiscosFable777]

As a previous handyman for a salon and spa company, one task of mine was to clean the air filters for all the minisplits bi-weekly in 10 different buildings with minimum 40 rooms each. Those grid like filters are terrible at stopping dust from being sucked into the unit and would eventually add up into gunk inside the condensation drain line causing it to clog up and water to leak out from the front of the unit instead of out the drain. If you have access to the drain line, all you need is a shop vac to suck all out the end of it.. Love them, but wish they used paper filters.

[@trailheadtiny]

This is so helpful. Thank you!

[@arreid9524]

I’ve seen a bunch of THs with a mini split but no one has ever talked about how to use and maintain it. Great information. All your tips are practical and will surely help others plan their homes. You are so great on camera. I love watching your content. All the best to you.

[@trailheadtiny]

❤️You are so kind! I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@lizzieb6311]

I agree! They rarely discuss this on tiny home forums …and with them (the mini split) being installed in areas that might be difficult to access that gives us something to think about where to place them for easy accessibility for maintenance . This video as very helpful! Thank you Jen! You’re a favorite of mine!

[@trailheadtiny]

I’m so happy this helped! Thank you so much!

[@kittyexotica5635]

I have a park model tiny home with 2 mini splits. I clean my filters monthly. I use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to get off the lint. Then I rinse them in the sink. I spray with an antibacterial cleaner, let it sit for 20 minutes, wipe dry with a cloth then put back in the units. Also be aware your blower wheels will get caked with gunk. I have an AC company clean them professionally once a year.

[@Well_possibly]

@@trailheadtiny Another tiny house dweller explained that mold grows inside mini-splits. He showed what to scrub and how to flush it out with a hose, using a waterproof tarp to protect what's below (and guide the water into a bucket, if I recall correctly). That's why I would never place one right over a bed or couch that is too hard to move out of the way.

[@1cookiefan]

You are really a natural on camera!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much 😊

[@pauladavis7020]

These videos are spectacular. Thank you!

[@trailheadtiny]

You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for watching ❤️

[@lorrilaque7311]

Your home is beautiful

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@rosemoore5364]

Hi. I vacuum my filters first. Sometimes with the nozzle attachment or the brush attachment. The kind you have is the same as my air conditioner. I use the brush for that. I then rinse the remaining dirt. Just like your foot heater, minus the rinsing. Have a nice day.

[@larkhughes9740]

Beautiful home, common sense tips. Thank you .😊

[@Jojoshmoo1]

I use my vacuum for the filter cleaning. Works a treat.

[@trailheadtiny]

Great idea! I just have a mini wand vac so it got clogged pretty fast with the state of the buildup. Def would work great with a more frequent cleaning schedule. ✔️

[@TheAndibk]

Heat rises. I have a special, heated fitted sheet. Keeps me warm bottom and top smile😊

[@trailheadtiny]

I'm going to have to look into that! It sounds like a great alternative!

[@quilts-by-carmel6754]

Absolutely love your Tiny Farmhouse❤❤❤

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@margosnyder5311]

Love your tiny home. You have excellent decorating skills and you are very knowledgeable about caring for your home and maintaining everything in it.

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@smsaurs]

Thank you, I always find your content helpful. I hope all your water woes are over!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you! It's been a journey but I believe I’m on the right track now 😊

[@bethgreen5587]

Two videos in a week😋.How exciting😎. I absolutely love all the drawers in your bathroom. So convenient. Great tips.

[@trailheadtiny]

Thanks for noticing! I am REALLY trying to be more consistent! 😉

[@britzel71]

I remember seeing your home and fell in love. It's so well done. Great video 😊

[@trailheadtiny]

❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much 😊

[@Jeffrey-c2z]

I like this tiny home the best so far that I've seen. The only thing I would change is taking out the French doors, framing in one side and using a conventional door, albeit a very tough door. Other wise this is one great tiny home !

[@trailheadtiny]

@@Jeffrey-c2z thank you so much ❤️❤️

[@LaLadybug2011]

Me too! And mostly because I don't want the security risk and second is the inefficiency of 6' of glass. A Dutch door would be cool there.

[@sabrinasmith4179]

Mini split filters are supposed to be cleaned monthly for peak efficiency. We have 2 in our home and love them.

[@ginabrandt6168]

I have a mini-split, and filters are cleaned every three months. I use a paint brush to brush away debris. No need to wash since the build up is minimal. Takes about 15 minutes start to finish.

[@TWROC96]

I always just canister vacuum with a brush head attached to the hose clean the filter of my mini-split. I do this once every two to three months in order to make the most out of the power savings and maintain the unit.

[@trailheadtiny]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@Ann-cx3dd]

Great tips & a great way of explaining things!

[@suethomassen1520]

In New Zealand we have heat pumps that also cools in summer. We are told from instalation, once a month is good practice, to remove filters and dust them off. Or vacuum and wash if need be. Once a year, that's alot of dust getting into the 'works'. Also the outside unit, we just hose it off.

[@cececece4865]

Great tips! Love your tiny house!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@LindyVol1956]

Your heating/warming tips are what I've always done in E TN too. I found I prefer a heated mattress pad instead of the blanket but both work well. Love your home and enjoy your videos.

[@trailheadtiny]

I love this idea! Especially since all of the covers can start to seem kind of heavy. What brand is yours?

[@LindyVol1956]

​@@trailheadtiny Biddeford blankets. Think I got it at Kohl's but Amazon may have them. I always felt like heat was being lost even with a comforter on top. Tried my dau-in-law's mattress pad & I was sold! My first one lasted 8-10 yrs & now on my 2nd one.

[@lizadonabauer477]

This was such a great video!!!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you for always supporting me xoxoxoxo❤️❤️😘😘

[@jeanmcgahey1143]

Beautiful home

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@alisefranklin8490]

Love your tiny home, layout is perfect! It’s beautiful.

[@maryridchuk1292]

Your home is lovely. Great tips! T Y !

[@trailheadtiny]

I appreciate it! 😊

[@jayneofspain3322]

I use my hand held Vaccum on the filter now and again.

[@AnitaAkin-c4b]

Great tips!

[@kathyg1346]

You always have such great tips! Stay warm!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you! We had our first snow yesterday. So far so good 😊

[@Lionforaday]

Great practical tips. Why not leave the bathroom door open overnight? Weve got a cabin and while it has a woodstove, its similar to your mini-split in the sense that the heat is primarily coming from one source. Because of that, we use small fans in the winter to keep the heat moving. As a bonus, you don't wake-up with the feeling that you're standing at the mouth of Hades, shaking hands with the devil, lol. That's the one problem with woodstoves; there's just two settings - not-yet-warm and sweltering!

[@poisonlady1965]

Currently in Aurora…dreaming about the day I do get to purchase one. I have a condo in Kansas that should already done but I have to deal with the HOA apparently as I can’t put it for sale as the stairs aren’t to code at all…their fault and they are responsible for outside maintenance. Once that’s done maybe I can get it sold and get more serious about the purchase.

[@trailheadtiny]

That sounds like a huge inconvenience! I hope it resolves itself soon so you can move on to bigger (or smaller) and better things! ❤️

[@vickieherbert1384]

This is a great video with all those safety tips! I subscribed right after watching it. I can't waiti check out all your content!!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much for subscribing! ❤️✨

[@CeeCee630]

Great tips!

[@trailheadtiny]

I am so glad you found them helpful!

[@debbibowen]

I found for sleeping warm, the key is an electric mattress pad, since heat rises. Add a down comforter to trap the heat and it's a toasty winter.

[@trailheadtiny]

Love this idea! What brand is yours?

[@jwest649]

Just watched this video and enjoyed it so. I first noticed your ring and immediately thought you must be an Aggie! As a native Texan I notice all the beautiful gold rings on hands I see here in Houston. Then I noticed the diploma on the wall, that confirmed that thought! Love the way you live. Thanks for sharing your story with this Texan, I’ll continue to watch your adventures. 😊

[@trailheadtiny]

Ha! Thanks for watching! Gig em ags! I’m super excited to be going home for Thanksgiving this year! Taking my kids to yell practice for the first time!! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@wondersandwilderness]

So inspoired by you!! Thank you!

[@trailheadtiny]

🙏🏻❤️Thank you!! You're so welcome!

[@dinabertrand9113]

Great info, thanks!!

[@trailheadtiny]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻

[@EileenSpeakman]

I'm UK, living in an older house, which has draughts. Winter here is cold. I have central heating but I don't like to be over-hot. In the winter I wear fleece jog trousers Nd tops as pyjamas. If the house is a little chilly in the mornings I don't notice it (and if it catches fire in the night and I have to evacuate then I look "presentable"!).

[@meloneymorgan609]

Just wondering if you ever have power outages in winter and if so do you have another heat source for when that happens?😊

[@trailheadtiny]

We did have a very brief power outage last winter when the polar vortex hit us. I do have a gas oven that is off grid so if it got super cold, my back up would be to turn the oven on and open the door to heat the space. I also have a jackery power bank for charging small electronics.

[@Well_possibly]

@@trailheadtiny Please don't ever heat with a gas appliance. They give off deadly Carbon Monoxide. Keeping a door or window open is not the same as cooking briefly with a hooded kitchen exhaust vent running. You need to extract the CO!

[@Well_possibly]

@@trailheadtiny Sometimes people sleeping while exposed to Carbon Monoxide (CO) never wake up. In the US, CO kills 400 per year. It has hospitalized 50,000 per year in the US. The CO replaces the oxygen in your blood. People can survive it, but some have permanent brain damage.

[@Well_possibly]

@@trailheadtiny The exception is a gas heater certified for indoor use, meaning a catalytic type, such as Olympian Wave 3. Even then, I would have 2 or more Carbon Monoxide detectors.

[@PaulOnTheGo]

Have fallen in love with your videos we have a home in Texas and then we have one in Breckenridge Colorado. Look at getting a heated mattress pad completely game changer. Love your videos. I’m ready for our tiny house.

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you! The heated mattress pad has been the top recommendation from my viewers today!! Definitely looking into that!

[@PaulOnTheGo]

@ Amazon

[@cyndeelou-i1e]

Very nice home

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@debgamboa3869]

Your tiny house is beautiful. I would love one in theory but we have too much stuff we need (husband has medical conditions requiring lots of machines and supplies). The one thing I would have to make sure of, at least for us, is that if we had a loft, it would have to have an elevated ceiling because we have bad backs and knees and can’t bend much and can’t kneel so trying to make my bed while kneeling on it would not be an option for me. Thanks for sharing your tips.

[@bettina868]

When working at my desk I require lap blanket and thermal booties (such as Banff brand) for comfort! Gotta be toasty!

[@trailheadtiny]

Gotta be toasty ❤️

[@michelem9277]

Try starting with a dry paint brush for the filter. Then finish with a cleaning with soapy water.

[@trailheadtiny]

😮😮😮😮I love this idea! I'll give it a try!

[@JereMurray]

Thanks! Your presentation was very informative, and the presentation was so professional. I particularly liked your lay out, especially your kitchen area. We are avid cooks and I could see two people working in the space. Did you design your own space and who is your builder, that is if you care to share that. Thanks again. Very enjoyable. Jere

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you very much! Yes plenty of room for more than one cook in the kitchen! I did design the space and had an architect fine tune it. My builder was MitchCraft but sadly they went out of business last year. 💔

[@anitakiss4399]

Yay, watching from Hungary ❤️

[@trailheadtiny]

Hello!! Thank you for watching!

[@babewhowalks]

Use one of those scrubby sponges and dawn

[@betsydavis4062]

Every spring, when I switch from heat to A/C, I clean the filters. Dry brush first, then rinse and then brush.

[@LaLadybug2011]

Once a year?! Two different guys here in the comments that work on maintaining mini splits said they are supposed to be cleaned every two weeks. Just sharing info in case you don't read all the comments.

[@K3Bear11]

Just some advice....the filters on your mini-split should be cleaned at least every 2 weeks. The mini-split also requires that the grill underneath the filters be cleaned when it gets dirty....that involves a lot of water...so it is in a place that may be difficult to do. I would imagine that your grill needs to be cleaned. PS Your mini-split probably uses no more watts than those space heaters...just sayin'...they are really efficient. Absolutly love your home!!!!

[@trailheadtiny]

Great tips thank you! I can tell you right now that those filters are not getting cleaned every two weeks. HaHaHa! But maybe I can shoot for monthly! I don’t even know where this grill is that you speak of so I’m already scared of what I might find. And yes, I agree that the minisplit is really efficient! I just get hot fast 😆 so I try to localize the heat source. Thank you again!

[@jjsmakeupobsession323]

Heated mattress pads work better than heated blankets.

[@trailheadtiny]

That is by and large the most commented thing on this post 😀😀😀

[@jmar8507]

Maybe use some kind of broomstick to change the fan directions so you don't have to climb so much. Your house is one of my favorite so far.

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you so much!😊

[@MarlenevT]

I live in a 500 sq ft home in Southern Colorado that was poorly built 40 years ago. I rent it. I have propane stove for heat, but it doesn't do very well. I use electric heat too and a electric throw blanket. The downstairs is like a cave. Dark and cold. I hate living here but am sort of stuck here for now.

[@master11pizza63]

Flannel sheets in winter paired with goose-down blanket will keep you warm in bed no need for electric blanket

[@susanshaffer1467]

Omg! I see you’re an Aggie. I’m not (a Longhorn), but am married to one. I love your videos! You’ve taught us all so much! Thank you! #hookem

[@trailheadtiny]

I moved straight to Austin after I graduated from A&M so I have many special longhorns in my life now! I’m especially excited to be heading home for Thanksgiving next week and taking my kids to their first Aggie yell practice. I’m so happy our teams are both in the SEC and playing each other again. Without longhorns, none of our Aggie songs make sense 😆😆 #gigem

[@magma9138]

Thank you.

[@lesleyharris525]

One last tip is slippers, warm feet will help so much.

[@trailheadtiny]

Great tip ❤️

[@reginamay2767]

I would for sure get claustophobic in the bed area, might be able to get used to it but not sure. I cannot stand to be in small places or spaces.

[@gracerules2423]

What about using the hose on your vacuum cleaner to remove the heavy buildup on the mini-split filter?

[@sarahniemeyer9954]

seems most imortant would be to make sure pipes are insolated under house, closed off underneath to prevent pests and maybe a heater, and a snow roof

[@trailheadtiny]

The only pipes under my house are for drainage, and gravity moving the water down prevents freezing from ever being an issue there, thankfully! I don’t know what a snow roof is but my metal roof is at a decent angle so once the sun comes out, the snow melts off pretty fast. However, I do think some type of skirting (assuming this is what you mean by closing it off) would keep my floors and home warmer. I appreciate your feedback 😁

[@tonilynncassidy5804]

Vacuum the filter. Then wash.

[@gingernotturno5365]

great tips but you forgot the most importand one...and that is 3 inch insulation skirting around your tiny ...you would not believe how much you save on that and keep your pipes warm ...it keeps the heat from getting under the home and it keeps the cold out in winter...you will notice a big big difference if you have that...oh and what brand is your mini split ?

[@trailheadtiny]

Yes! That actually falls into the category of true winterization for me. I am still considering adding it this season but am limited to weekends when I have enough daylight and time to figure it out. Most examples I’ve seen are on dirt and able to dig a little to help the panels stay in place. This is all different on an asphalt driveway. 🙂

[@gingernotturno5365]

@@trailheadtiny check with a mobile home park the homes are also on asphalt ...maybe someone can steer you in the right direction

[@LaLadybug2011]

@@trailheadtinyThen you could build frames out of 2"x2" wood and mount the insulated panels to the frames. Then, use rare earth magnets (tiny and super strong) to hold the frames to the Tiny House. You can just use E6000 to glue the magnets to the wooden frame.

[@janee9533]

I also have a mini split which heats and cools my whole apartment. The filter gets changed every 3 months, I’ve never seen it get that much gunk. Perhaps a broom outdoors would help, get debris off of the screens.

[@trailheadtiny]

That is a great idea!

[@lindalbishop7329]

I love your home. How far are you from Colorado springs?

[@trailheadtiny]

Thank you! I’m about an hour and a half away.

[@Ray-gf4vf]

so what ski resort are u going to that u can't seam to find

[@peggybachler5952]

Vacuum first then rinse off. I’d check every 90 days.

[@trailheadtiny]

That seems appropriate. When I originally searched for info on cleaning these screens the results suggested to have the minisplit professionally cleaned annually. That’s definitely not often enough. But every two weeks seems like overkill. I’m with you on the every 90 days (seasonally) 👊🏻

[@jenniferclarke3622]

The mini split should be professionally cleaned once a year. This will prolong the life of the appliance and is usually required for warranty.

[@7Jennifer]

Did you figure out how to manage the exterior water hose, so it doesn't freeze this year? Your TH is still my favorite!

[@trailheadtiny]

I think so, but time will tell! I stopped wrapping heat tape around the section that attaches to the house. You can’t adjust the setting and it got so hot that it melted the hose. So when I got hooked up again I wrapped another one of those water proof pet pads around it. It’s warm, but not so warm that it will melt it. It got me through the end of last winter and I haven’t touched it!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@LaLadybug2011]

@@trailheadtinywhat is a water proof pet pad? The disposable puppy pads they pee on-cotton on one side and plastic on the back?

[@nebraskagirl4130]

Do you have problems with mold

[@trailheadtiny]

Thankfully I have not. It stays pretty dry here.

[@babewhowalks]

Get yourself some hunting socks! I wear them to bed, i sleep so, much better with warm feet

[@trailheadtiny]

🤣 love it!

[@abfab2517]

electric blanket !

[@adriennehalanick22]

Who made your tiny home?

[@trailheadtiny]

MitchCraft. Sadly they went out of business last year.

[@MarySelvidge]

Use paint brush to clean

[@maryalbert6138]

Hi, do you own the land your home is on?

[@trailheadtiny]

No I rent a space on someone else’s property.

[@leaveittolefty]

must be tricky to change your sheets

[@trailheadtiny]

It’s not my fave 😆

[@juliegere9415]

Get a new fan!

[@katerinam1671]

Mini split 🤓🧐??? We call it airconditioning -heating unit in south Europe !!! We can not live without it anymore, too hot in summer , normal cold in winter...too expensive to use central heating!!!!!!!

[@emmas1082]

You should not let it get that bad…regarding the filters.

[@trailheadtiny]

No doubt! I shared this information to prevent others from experienced what I experienced. No one told me what I needed to do to maintain this.

[@kzhemh]

This is one of theview tiny homes i have seen with a real living room. I hate the ones that just fit a sofa and end table.

[@trailheadtiny]

Yeah I was in constant communication with my builder while I was shopping for my sofa so I could give him the exact dimensions to make it fit! I had it shipped straight to him just to make sure. It was important to have space for family movie night! But also I love doing on-demand workouts at home so I had to have that space.

[@Ray-gf4vf]

i'd rather live in my 2800 sq ft house here in south carolina no snow ever

[@nightskylights4501]

Not a good idea to use electric blankets or heating pads. They generate electromagnetic field, which can cause serious health diseases like cancer. If I need heating pad, I just put some dry rice in a cotton suck and put it in the microwave for a min, then cover it with a plush towel or blanket. That top plush fabric, will keep it warm for a long time, especially if it's close to your body. When gets cool, put it back in the microwave.

[@trailheadtiny]

I've never heard of that before, thanks for sharing. I'm going to be mindful of that!

[@michellewinkler3985]

Vacuum your filters

[@utilityassistance]

Congratulations on really boring crap.

[@gare9485]

Beautiful home