Life in a Tiny House called Fy Nyth - Can you live in a tiny house in a cold climate?

Looking for an update? Check out my 5th year here - • Life in a Tiny House c...
Part of the way through my third winter in my tiny house, Fy Nyth, here's a few thoughts on some things to do differently or be prepared for when planning to live in a very cold climate with a tiny house. Especially if you are also going off grid. See this blog post
fynyth.blogspot...
as well if you are looking for more info, links to related posts, and photos of some of what I discuss in the video.
*Also note, when I say humidifier at 8:33, I mean dehumidifier. ;) *
*****************************************************************
If you are new to my channel and Fy Nyth in general, welcome! I'm Ariel. I live off grid (as in no physical connection to public utilities) in a tiny house on wheels in the mountains of western Wyoming. I've been living this lifestyle for the past three years now and love it! What will you find if you follow my channel and watch my videos?
Real life here. I try to show the good and the bad. The ups and the downs. What works, and what doesn't. The parts I love (most of it!), and the things that suck. Not just the showroom version of a tiny house, but everyday life in a tiny house. Not just the romantic idea of "homesteading" or off grid life, but the everyday details of this lifestyle. I split my own wood for heat, carry my water by hand, and attempt to grow as much of my own food as I can between the weather and wildlife here. I hope to help others learn from my mistakes and make life just a little easier for anyone else interested in pursuing a similar lifestyle.
I live in a somewhat harsh and cold climate, but enjoy the stunning sceanery and wildlife that I am surrounded by on a daily basis. You'll also see videos of of the nature and wildlife around my home. If you are interested in my photography or purchasing a photo, I'd love if you follow that over at Facebook.com/ArielCelestePhotography or ArielCelestePhotography.zenfolio.com!
For a bit of my background, as a child, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend much of my free time exploring and playing in the woods. Little has changed now that I'm older I suppose. I moved to a place with a bigger woods and still enjoy spending my time outside gardening, hiking, exploring, and photographing the natural world around me. As the eldest of seven children who grew up in a homeschooling family, I had the opportunity, not always appreciated at the time, to learn to do quite a bit of work. I've enjoyed a wide range of jobs, everything from greenhouses and flower arranging to wilderness therapy with teens, to milking cows. Mostly, I enjoy doing the kinds of things that I think provide a real service or value to others. Some of my other hobbies include backpacking, hosting people, cooking, preserving food, anything to do with nutrition, reading, journalling, and sitting around a fire and talking to my close friends.
Check out a few of the videos below to catch up on what goes on here!
For lived in Tiny House Tour - • Life in a Tiny House c...
For a detailed kitchen (my kitchen is a big part of my house!) tour - • Life in a Tiny House c...
How I bought my tiny house and all the details on price and financing - • Life in a Tiny House c...
A look at my house through the seasons for an idea of the kind of climate I live in - • Life in a Tiny House c...
Many thanks to all of you amazing people! If you really value the info you find on my channel, are very comfortable yourself, and really want to do something to help us in return, our Paypal account address is [e-mail] . Or better yet, go do something nice or helpful for someone else around you and pass it on!

[@Frantic618]

People have been living in tiny houses for a few thousand years, now. It's the big homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.

[@hughjazz1838]

Shilodog Smith a wood stove will heat a larger home too. really no need to live in such a small space.

[@jaimiewasyliw7504]

I like your tiny home

[@anthonyrosa5006]

True. We bought a house to large 15 years ago and expanded the crap to put in it and stuff to maintain it. Keep it simple stupid. I used to move myself in my pickup truck before I got married in 2 trips.

[@rdvaughan70]

exactly!!! u ever see a 3 story igloo??? living tiny isnt so much a pain...most folks who live in big houses only use certain area of the house and hardly ever go into other parts...tiny living also doesnt mean being totaly UNPLUGGED u can get myfi or jet packs to do internet and with a roku or amazon tv cube u got all the tv and much more to watch cheaper than big tech cable, if u are a self reliant type person tiny living is for u.

[@MrPeterHaller]

Ariel you may live in a tiny house, but you have a huge heart of Love to take such good care of it all

[@matt4270]

Lots of good info, especially regarding condensation and moisture. Thanks!

[@skiprope536]

Great, Great Video. And if you take care of this yourself you are one TOUGH cookie!

[@itsmarialifestyle4355]

I love how articulate you are and how well you explain things. I loved the video, good luck with the snow shovelling.

[@richardlorych9868]

i think you mean 'articulate' maria.

[@itsmarialifestyle4355]

Richard Lorych Corrected. You grammar nazi! :-p why can't she be articulated? We are all practically built in sections that are hinged or otherwise connected! Have a lovely day 😁

[@richardlorych9868]

you too maria.

[@henryd12341]

Richard Lory

[@jimsteele7108]

lots of work but man, is that snow pretty!

[@lesleyoliver5582]

tree feller good job it's a small home.

[@jimsteele7108]

Lesley Oliver , I don't understand your comment.

[@lesleyoliver5582]

tree feller well she has a lot of digging for paths around her small house so it's a good job it's not a big house.

[@heinzheinzberg3287]

Great women, very nice videos and art of living!

[@kevin3434343434]

Very articulate and intelligent! Awesome stuff.

[@SilverSunPublishing]

Excellent video with lots of great tips. Thank you!

[@Maxschellenberg]

I live in Canada and I'm so happy to see someone doing this in cold climates. I had a lot of concerns making a tinyhouse in Canada where it gets to -25 C often. Putting vents higher or in one place is a good idea! Also, is it worth it to go solar with all the gray skies in the winter?

[@BradVlogz]

You can check your average sunlight to see if it's worth it. www.wholesalesolar.com/solar-information/sun-hours-us-map

[@Lionforaday]

We're in Canada too; we opted for a full-sized woodstove in our cabin (see my longer comment on this decision). I think extra insulation in Canada is also worth the cost and effort, though remember that there are places in the US that are further north than Timmins! In any case, there can be no argument that there's nothing quite as cosy as a toasty woodstove on a really cold night!

[@MindBodySoulOk]

I'm sure it's a pain shoveling all that snow but it's beautiful.

[@wisewisdomtooth]

Good exercise

[@BumbleBeeTF]

I like your videos. you're really good at explaining things.

[@syncrovanCos]

Good tips, thank You ! I like you positive vibe and the location you place the home. Be well !

[@alvisgineika9306]

Very Nice place you have beautiful ,,,,,

[@johnr8476]

You should check out a cheap light weight leaf blower, you can move a lot of snow around with them.

[@Well_possibly]

Congratulations on your 3rd winter in your tiny house! Great, informative video, too.

[@russellrlf]

Great video! that is the one major downside to vent free gas appliances....condensation. I am an HVAC contractor. I have had several customers heat their house with their gas stove before calling me to fix their furnace. Lots of condensation. Water is a product of combustion, even wood combustion. In your case, the wood is vented. This is also a problem of super "tight" houses like yours.

[@cashtripping]

Russell Franke can FyNyth extend her venting up the side of the house 3' feet

[@MrKelso159]

I noticed in one of your video's that the tires under your house were exposed to the weather. You should cover them so they are protected from the elements. They will start to rot after a while with sun, rain, and snow on them. You could store them in a shed would be good. Love your home and videos. Great job.

[@johnhull6363]

everyone always says the wood stove goes out middle of night.... choke the damper back and fill the firebox....me being 45 and male...not a problem since I get up to pee every 3 hours like clockwork...lol

[@kaypotter9097]

Sounds like you should get your prostate checked...

[@cheriettejackson4248]

You bring up some great points! I live in a smallish cabin in northern Maine, where we get into minus temps, and can get 4 feet of snow at a time. What I did was build a sunroom along one long side of the house. I keep firewood, extra propane tanks, and a water cistern out there. It is vented, but tends to be warm - and there's no snow in there!

[@bryanswenson1452]

Too much work. It seems to me you are a slave to that tiny house. Maybe you should consider moving the house to a warmer climate.

[@FyNyth]

You could look at it that way. I just see it as some of the work that comes with being able to live in this wonderful area!

[@Albisriede]

Great video! Reminds me of the days just off the Alcan Highway in the middle of a Black Spruce forest. My shack was also small, 10x16 with a 10x10 upstairs bedroom and a walk around 'deck', no electricity and hauling water from town. Although I had an 'all nighter' stove, today I would build a small rocket mass heater, using one part (the mass) as bench, while using only 1/10th of the wood most wood stoves use. Should things get too dry, just put a pot with water on it. Keep up the good spirit ; )

[@Albisriede]

True, true. I did not realize that your house is on a trailer and on wheels. If it's permanently or semi-permanently parked though, it may be worth a try. That brings up another idea (when moving a lot): What about, instead of using cob or such as 'mass', one would use water? You probably know the principle of a sitting bench (mass), through which lengths of pipe from the rocket stove are laid, then run through a wall to the outside. Water may not be as dense as cob, but it certainly packs quite a bit of mass. I realize I'm a bit 'way out there', but if a setup could be made, where a mass bench is like a tank through which the stove pipes run, then one would have the option of light weight while traveling and filling the 'tank'/bench once arrived at the next semi-permanent location. Ah well, just a thought ; )

[@Albisriede]

I'm sure a couple hundred pounds could easily be handled ; )

[@Dan-qk4ns]

The Mass heaters are perfect for cold weather use and like stated above use a fraction of the wood. Mine is brick and weighs about 125-150lbs and is fine. I built my tiny with pop up metal eaves for 3 sides that are about 4 ft long to give useable covered space which helps shedding snow. Couple questions....do you use a compost toilet? and what do you think your avg. operational costs are a yr?

[@rickymack01]

Hey Ariel, love it, its beautiful. 🙂

[@jennhill8708]

I so enjoy your videos. If, God forbid, I'm widowed, at some point, I'm thinking seriously about a tiny house or small cottage, in which to live. I won't be out there, like you are. Poor health & a heart condition ... But, life is wonderful & I wish you every good thing in yr new location.

[@cc-cd1yh]

What a cozy little home, so cute!

[@adventure002006]

Time for a snowblower :-)

[@Peter-pv8xx]

A bobcat or small front end loader is easier than shoveling and will prevent heart attacks, if something happens out there and no one can get to you, game over, I was 37 and had a major coronary artery blockage, never smoked or drank. just bad genes, how do you get internet access.

[@johngiff2978]

I think if you had a much larger overhang on your roof you would not have to shovel so much to get at your equipment. This may affect the amount of light getting in your windows though. Perhaps some clear panels for the roofing in these areas would be a fix. Love how independent, confident, resourceful and self sufficient you are. Young people are slowly figuring out how to get the top 10 percent out of their pockets and good for them.

[@EnglishCoach3Ts]

I love watching these old videos! Thank you!

[@SteBros]

Good for you living in a great place... quality life!

[@HVG67]

Just wondering: how you get Internet access and what kind over there?

[@susanrome6757]

what an absolutely beautiful place to live! However, after seeing all the hard work involved in just getting around I think I'll stay in FL

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

What amazes me is that there are millions of people that would pay a ton of money to rent a place like yours for a week at a time lol. What you describe is to some people chores, but to me they’re fun and worth every minute of the return is living the way you do. Every time I watch one of your videos the word Freedom pops into my head. You are one of the few people that probably understands why I spend 80% of my time outdoors. Camping, fishing, hiking anything and everything outdoors that I can. I’m currently deciding on selling my current home and doing something like you have there or something similar. I spend so much time outdoors that I’m not really using my home that much lol When I am home I’m either in the garage working on a project or I’m in the kitchen because I love to cook, especially for friends and family.

[@HVG67]

Great video, answering a lot of questions I had about tiny living in a cold climate! Thanks for sharing.

[@GrizzlyGlen]

you need a nice snowblower...takes most of the work out of it.

[@dariito72]

that is my dream love it

[@allisonperrigoue2761]

You're great! Thanks for sharing about tiny house living in winter. This has been my number one concern to figuring out how I can pull off living in Wisconsin when it's -30 at night for multiple days. I worry about gray water lines freezing and having the room for a storage tank and propane heater inside. Seeing that you even store your solar batteries inside gives me hope that I could make it work too! Now to figure out our coding/zoning... Can't wait to read your other posts on this topic! -Ally

[@FyNyth]

Best wishes on your future dreams and plans!

[@martiebaby]

You don't need to justify burning trees, they ARE a renewable resource. It's okay to burn them.

[@melaniesuter7936]

I think she was just explaining that's the wood she choses to use Ariel is definitely the last person to destroy nature I'd hope all would see her kind nature 😄

[@mircat28]

Renewable trees...do you have any clue how many years it takes before a tree becomes usable for anything even for shade?

[@ellieimmortal3554]

@@mircat28 Not to mention if everyone starts burning wood to heat their homes, that's a form of carbon emission. In small cases such as these, it isn't too big of a deal. I would go for fallen trees first.

[@alexisbrown7341]

Just started watching the video and I'm already overwhelmed. Good thing she's young.

[@wisewisdomtooth]

Right, I was trying to imagine elderly people doing all that shovelling, just can't happen

[@waynebeck7801]

I would definitely have a snow blower!

[@MrSvenovitch]

I live tiny, but in an apartment (about 440 sq ft). I love looki,g down at the snow outside my window, not having to shovel anything. I love being able to be lazy.

[@MrSvenovitch]

I have the same foldable Ikea table as you though :-D

[@straubdavid9]

Why are you talking ........ get shoveling already !! Jest kiddin ....... cool house! Nine months of winter, followed by three months of poor sledding ...... gotta love it ~8^) Take care.

[@TheKentuckyPatriot]

Great channel! I just subscribed :-)

[@benperea8483]

Amazing!!...dumb but serious question though...is cabin fever ever a problem?

[@FyNyth]

No, for me it's not. I love solo time and rarely get enough of it. I very much enjoy time at home to read, photograph, cook, chat with friends, work on videos, snowshoe, reply to comments, play with my puppy, etc.

[@benperea8483]

@@FyNyth lol well that answers that lol

[@brendamatthews9456]

I am amazed how you shoveled all that snow. We get a few snow flurries and some winters it doesn't even snow!

[@MeBeingAble]

Note to self, next time feed vents out through the eaves... or build on 6ft pilings

[@Ken-dv9uf]

The biggest question is.......WHY?

[@mauricebrown9094]

Where are you situated ? I am sure there a lot of ways you could prevent or at the very least minimize your shovling in the future. ie: like that wood pile. How do you keep it front staking up in the front porch ? I think if I was going to be there permanatly I would put a deck around it with a lean to type roof.. Thank you for all the good information ..

[@mauricebrown9094]

Thank you for your reply Ariel. I really do appreciate it ..I'm not really a reader so gong back over everything you have including your blog is a bit daunting for me. Since you cannot pull your tiny house with your wheels then maybe clip on decks , or decks that sit on blocks might be a thought. I have a friend back home who built a lean to type deck and cover who made It so everything ties into each other with only the minimum amount of lag bolts. He always joked that if he ever left this place ( he didn't own it ) he would take it with him ...

[@GOTTshua]

Beautiful space. Inside and out. Thanks for the tour.

[@eileenfb1948]

I like your house. Small is cosy!

[@tayleanruatha]

Really appreciate the first hand knowledge, straight talk and high level of detail you go into. Big thumbs up from way up here in the backwoods of Northern B.C.! Cheers eh! ;)

[@LionOfNobility]

I was born and raised in Lebanon County, PA. I do love the state but am currently living in Colorado Springs. Planning on building a tiny house for my wife and I this summer. Really enjoy your videos! Very informative!

[@ffjsb]

Sure ya can, they live in igloos don't they?? (Yeah, I know they're temporary)

[@wandafrench776]

i am so impressed ...great job

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

I've heard that tiny houses are best suited for single people, and not couples or families, unless of course it's just a weekend getaway house. What's your opinion on this?

[@zapfanzapfan]

Amazingly pretty place with all that snow. Do you have a snowplow attachment on the truck or does the neighbor keep the road open?

[@FyNyth]

All the details on snow clearing here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2rVZGxmYrWUrcU

[@Die-sel13136]

And watching u more , I totaly like to hear u talking. Ur so articulate and smart. Talk with me later!

[@T9rocksspeak]

So does anyone else think the Closed Captioning by computer is hilarious? There's one on archeology I watched a few weeks ago, not one word right! The CC on these videos is almost as good as the videos. just saying Sorry but seriously this is good information. We would like to see more information about what to different, better, mistake@#$%... Here...get a snow blower, build an extreme porch all the way around... would be good. hee

[@st.lukesbibliotecaolivos5177]

Excellent excellent video! So much useful info. Thank you very much.

[@randomthoughts1001]

Holy cow 😮. I've never experienced snow this deep. I would have chili on the stove and a sack full of books . Pray they don't plow the roads.

[@cheakychic1]

I have been checking into tiny houses love some of your storage ideas....I live in the far northeast corner of british columbia and very accustom to the weather and snow fall you live with winter temps go from a balmy minus 20 to minus 40 during the winter in Celsius ...I am going to be building a tiny house this summer my daughter is moving onto out property so i am looking for all the best options for a tiny house for her....It will be a huge help for me living remote is getting a little tough during the winter when your husband usually is in a camp more remote and gone for months...Love your tiny house and you live in a very beautiful spot i'm going to watch your other video's hope you have some summer video's

[@oldgamerconsolepcplayerdud4389]

I am sure you do this, but be sure and keep a check on your propane pressure regulator, and you might think of puting a thermal blacket around your tanks. During extreme cold weather it can reduce the pressure. Always want to keep moisture and water out of the regulators to keep them from freezing up. Some dealers in colder climates put methyl alcohol in with the propane to keep water build up inside the tank to a minimum. Love your vids and love your home.

[@MrBzdziu]

lot of shoveling ;) but peace and quiet is probably compensate all of that work

[@sanstx3987]

To mutch windows cool your house down.

[@melaniesuter7936]

She sleeps with 2 windows open year round also blocked her room entrance with a curtain to keep it cool heat isn't an issue for her

[@mmmcquoid]

I wondered if maybe that was the problem that you were limited by the door dimensions.Rule of thumb the peace regardless of peaces or one whole peace has the same energy amount just if its one large peace it releases it slower.So do you live all by yourself there if so i hope the neighbors are close. with bears and mountain lions. I live i Canada on a large farm i love very much my house is big, hell my wood shed is larger than your place.lol But i feel i could live in a much smaller house like you! I admire your dedication to your small house and footprint you leave behind.Small like our ancestors used.

[@kirkray6344]

I am an old dude but i would fine an old Ariens small snow blower which are cheap to buy and cheap to own and i know it uses gas but it will eliminate your problems. People survived in the old days. Kirk

[@BenShimon5731]

Wow, that is beautiful! I would love to leave there, but I would be afraid of getting stranded in a huge storm.

[@Horse237]

My first thought was a snow blower.

[@JenShea]

Love Love Love everything about your Tiny 'Home'. The home inside is perfect, to me. So cozy, all the comforts you could need. What a beautiful property! I live up north, in Ottawa Canada and at our cottage (like a tiny home) we get at least that amount of snow... and a wood stove is wonderful... and your back up is fantastic! I'd love to know about your under the stairs wood source. Can you give more info or direct me to where you might have already posted that info. Great information you have shared!!! New Subscriber 😊

[@richardmiseljr2413]

I live in a 1978 marshfeild trailer in northern minnesota. I can deal with that tiny house.

[@bartman898]

Well I've spent 3 winters in a minivan so I don't think I'll have a problem with a tiny house.

[@fred8565]

You are lovely and brave. do you have a boy friend? To keep warm at night. Like your videos very good thank you

[@MrBlair19727]

Hi there, I am in the process of building a community in the east coast of Canada - Nova Scotia. I have people all of the time ask me if the cold is going to bother it or what. Well its the same as any other home. Prepare for it.

[@HomesteadTessie]

great video~~

[@cmajor9994]

น่าอยู่จังประเทศผมไม่มีหิมะแบบนี้มีแต่แดดๆๆ 👍

[@sufuhashim2092]

Thank you very informative. what part of US are you

[@charlescarrico8560]

I too live in a small.log cabin it's 320sq feet it's nice for me as I live alone not too much. snow but I wish there was kelso tn is kinda in the middle of snow territory but good vid very good to see WHAT you have done and good information stay safe and warm

[@globe255]

The questions is, could you live in a tiny house, in a cold climate? Yes easily and I would enjoy it. I have dealt with a lot snow and cold in my life. It is a nice little house you have, it even has a kind of romatic touch to it, in my opinion. The beautiful nature outside the door is a BIG plus.

[@benjaminlee1117]

living off the grid is a pain in the ????%*\&$#@😗😙😋

[@Lotuslaful]

Excellent job:)!

[@pennygiller2377]

4 wheeler with a small snow plow on it would be a great idea...if affordable...

[@borealcottontail6093]

You amaze me. I LOVE your lifestyle. I wish I had known this was an option before settling down and having a kid etc. I live in Northern Alberta Canada and it gets very cold but I feel like with such a small space it could work.

[@tyo9384]

Well thats the best kind-of snow to shovel..dry and fluffy!

[@williamblakeley3744]

its Beautfull .but why not get a snowblower not staying young forever..Thinking back Pain 😜 .its a wonderfull life you have sound very happy ..stay safe ..Bill from Pittsburgh ps..wow you sleep 8 hours 😂😂 I haven't slept 6 hours in years ..LOVE THE VID..your a grate woman ✌

[@FyNyth]

Ahh but I enjoy snow shoveling. And peace and quiet. And not buying gas and oil for my shovel. :) Plus I shovel for six other homes and several roofs as well.

[@csabahorvath4770]

Grats, you live a fairy tale! Enjoy it, thumb up!

[@shartne]

Maybe you could move the tiny house a little further south so there wouldnt be so much darn snow to shovel. How do you get around town with all that snow? Looks too cold outside for me. Is your back feeling strong now?

[@FyNyth]

It's a lot of work sometimes, but I love snow! :)

[@rstevewarmorycom]

you mean you'll need a DEhumidifer, you said humidifier.

[@ugsisr]

I worry about keeping my swamp cooler working...Cold climate just isn't for me, big house or small house... Arizona suits my needs

[@FyNyth]

It is great there are different climates so we can all find one we like!

[@danielsheehan6195]

ITS ALL TOO MUCH MACHINE MAN... GOT TO SIMPLIFY... IT IS ALL GOING TO COME DOWN TO GARDENS AND FOOD.

[@trusty1rusty]

You're from Pennsyltucky?! I knew there was something I liked about you (I was raised north of Pittsburgh).

[@ramona14220]

Westmoreland county here!

[@mmmcquoid]

Also your in tune with nature in such a small house .a hurricane could go buy in this house and i would not know.lol

[@LostCaper]

Merry Xmas. I do small scale logging in the winter which can be seen on my channel. Man I want the ground to freeze and turn cold. This warm weather in the winter sucks. This year I have been delayed in my log cabin build and my logging. My on call job at a large corporation turned into more than I hoped for. Next year I hope to have a cabin by our beach and well on my way to become self sufficient.

[@FyNyth]

Frozen solid sure simplifies a lot of stuff!

[@demofactory]

Thanks for all the great information. I appreciate when someone articulate and insightful shares with us. If you wrote a Tiny House Living book, I'd buy it. After shoveling all that snow, hauling firewood, etc., going to a gym seems unnecessary LOL. Take care and stay well friend!!!!

[@FyNyth]

You are welcome. And thank you!

[@fredmoller1675]

Your climate is very similar to mine, but I live in a relatively flat terrain about two hundred miles south of James Bay (which connects to Hudson Bay, then to the Arctic Ocean)......anyways your KZbin page is about the best that I can find in regards to tiny homes and natural living, and I real enjoy/learn new things from you, thanks Arial, it's really appreciated.

[@FyNyth]

Thanks for being part of the channel!

[@peterredfern551]

Hardcore, got room for a little one please? :) x

[@lanahallock1118]

No way am I ever going to live where I have to shovel snow!!!!!!!

[@methedr]

that's a winter wonderland First thing I would get is a snow blower. your living my dream what a beautiful setup.

[@bobn1378]

Gas powered snow blower!

[@valerieshepherd6823]

Ariel I got a tip years ago while visiting my in-laws in Norway. Sleep with a blanket next to you then your duvet/quilt. Now when I say blanket I don't mean the scratchiest army blanket you can find lol I mean a waffle weave cotton or a wool one if it's a after wool like alpaca or something. The waffle weave traps little pockets of air that keeps you warm... having said that I did watch your bedding set up n your good xxx

[@FyNyth]

:)

[@stephenaustin6551]

You're a tough women. In a good way.

[@DarrenCharron]

Awesome channel I am just in the works building a tiny house up here in Central Canada I look forward to watching your videos and thank you for posting.