What You Need to Convert Shipping Containers into Sustainable Off-Grid Cabins in Houston

1. April 20, 2018 What You Need to Convert Shipping Containers into Sustainable Off-Grid Cabins in Houston After a busy work week, there’s just something so appealing about going off the grid for the weekend. In fact, many people are now preferring to live far away from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Houston. For those who want a taste of that lifestyle, the good news is that you don’t need access to a private lakeside lodge or a sprawling summer house. With modified Page | 1

2. shipping containers, building a sustainable cabin has never been more convenient and affordable. Here’s what you need to get started on your little home away from home. Renewable Energy Even if you’re planning to live far from civilization, there are just some amenities you can’t do without. One of those is electricity. If you can’t hook up your cabin to local power lines, you need to look into alternative sources like a diesel powered generator. But if you wish to minimize your carbon footprint, eco-friendly and renewable options like solar power, wind generation, hydroelectric power and geothermal are available. Solar panels are the easiest to install when you have the container modified and they can readily be connected to wiring. Efficient Plumbing You will also need an efficient plumbing system to safely dispose of waste. Getting a toilet fitted into the container is easy enough, but you have to figure out how to get rid of waste water and sewerage without stinking up the place. Right now, there are two common options used by outdoor enthusiasts: self-contained composting toilets and septic tanks. Composting toilets are designed to turn waste material into compost that can be used in gardens while septic tanks collect wastewater to break down waste material before releasing it. Whichever one you prefer, you’re going to need professional help to get them installed properly. Heating and Cooling It can get really warm inside a metal box, so there’s not much need for heating. You can add a fireplace that will come in handy on the occasional rainy days and chilly nights, but air conditioning is more important. One or two units should suffice and keep you comfortably cool inside, especially if you had the container properly insulated. Good insulation will help you regulate temperature and prevent large fluctuations. Make sure all walls and the floor are insulated and that the seams where the cold air may escape are sealed, too. Page | 2

3. Container Transportation By far, getting the shipping container to your remote location will be the biggest challenge in building your sustainable cabin. For this reason, it’s best to source your container from a supplier that serves the Houston area. This way, you keep the shipping cost low and make simple arrangements for the modified container to be moved. You can then spend what you save on the necessary modifications to make off-grid living more manageable. About Equipment Management Services Equipment Management Services is a leading supplier of quality new and used shipping containers. We operate off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Texas. Our team also provides transportation, modification, rental and depot services. Contact us today so we can address all your concerns. Sources: Building A Shipping Container House An Adventure In Off-Grid Living, BuildShippingContainerHouse.com A Canadian man built this off-grid shipping container home for just $20,000, InHabitat.com Page | 3