A rustic backwoods cabin getaway may sound like a dream come true to many people… a place to unwind, relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. If you’re thinking of building a remote cabin in the woods, there are several obstacles you may face, specifically a lack of utilities.
For those lacking electricity, a generator is a common option. Other choices for alternate power might include solar panels or a small wind turbine that could be mounted on the cabin’s roof. With these choices, you will also need a battery system to store excess power for later use (like when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing).
The other primary challenge for remote cabins is a lack of running water. If you live in an area with underground water, digging a well may be a good option. There are also rainwater collection and distilling systems that can be installed, as well.
Once you’ve figured out your source for clean water, you’ll also have to determine what to do with waste water. For many, a septic system is the preferred choice. However, installing a new septic system can be prohibitively expensive, often times costing upwards of $20,000. One septic system alternative that is growing in popularity are composting toilet systems. Contrary to what you might think, composting toilets are clean and odorless. They handle all waste without producting any output besides a sanitary and dry compost that can be applied to your garden. The cost for a composting toilet system can range from $1,000 for a simple self contained unit to $3,500 for a very large, central system with multiple toilet fixtures. While this is still relatively expensive, from a comparative standpoint it is far less than a septic system installation.
For more information about composting toilets, please visit the Composting Toilet Store.
