Lessons learned after living in an off-grid rental

 

Confession: When I booked a working vacation at an InForest cabin this summer, my goal wasn't to embark on a crash course in sustainable living. I simply wanted to escape the city without compromising the creature comforts demanded by my three teenagers. I achieved that, but the experience offered much more.

Being invigorated by nature, I frequently seek refuge in the mountains, beach, or desert. Advances in solar panels, battery storage, data coverage, and flexible remote work policies have made it easier for many to work from almost any location that brings joy.

InForest cabins, entirely off the grid, utilize solar power and Starlink internet, ensuring modern luxuries. My energy demands, including remote work and family entertainment, pushed the solar-powered cabin to its limits. I had an e-bike, video projector, Bluetooth speakers, phones, laptops, tablet, smartwatches, and a Starlink RV internet kit. Despite being disconnected from the grid, I spent a week working and playing in the middle of a forest in Sweden, gaining insights into off-grid tech possibilities and compromises in resource-scarce environments. These lessons proved valuable amid surging energy prices in Europe.

InForest, founded by Jesper (40) and Petra Uvesten (41), envisions creating off-grid cabins for nature enthusiasts. Operating the business alone, they aim to expand from three to ten houses. The cabins, named after their children, are situated in a dense forest in southern Sweden, handmade by Treesign, a local tiny home builder.

I booked Esther, powered by a rooftop solar array with lithium-ion batteries. Sweden's long summer days favor power generation, but the cabins' challenge lies in short winter days. They can be booked from March to mid-October, and Jesper plans to extend the season by using an EV with bi-directional charging capabilities, potentially a Ford F-150 Lightning or Volvo EX90 SUV.

Water, provided by a 250-liter tank, powers the cabin's utilities, and a waterless composting toilet enhances sustainability. The cabins are designed for service, with technology housed in an external utility closet to avoid guest interruptions. An external connector facilitates water and battery recharge.

Awareness of water usage, monitored by a gauge, prompted mindful consumption. In our seven-day stay, the tank required refilling once, encouraging behavioral changes and a more sustainable lifestyle. Despite the lack of a power meter, uncertainty about potential outages motivated efficient energy use. The composting toilet, lacking a meter, signaled fullness through paper accumulation.

The InForest experience not only provided a serene escape but also instilled a deeper appreciation for sustainable living and resource-conscious choices.