Green design keeps this tiny mobile home warm in Canada’s below-freezing winters

When winter temperatures dip below freezing, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/tiny-house/" target="_blank">tiny home</a> is probably one of the last places you’d want to seek comfort. You may change your mind, however, once you see <a href="http://tinyhousing.ca" target="_blank">Leaf House Small Space Design &amp; Build’s</a> recently completed micro house, the version.3. Created as a case study for tiny house construction in cold climates reaching -50 degree Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit), the energy-efficient and lightweight version.3 packs an impressive array of green and high-performance insulation features in a very small footprint.

Located in Pelly Crossing, a small community north of Whitehouse, Yukon, the 97-square-foot version.3 tiny house currently serves as the home for the instructor/coordinator of the Yukon College Campus.

To keep the inhabitant warm in frigid temperatures, Leaf House installed vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) with an impressive claimed R value of R30 per half-inch.

The energy-efficient, 800-watt electric radiant heaters keep the tiny house toasty at just under 15 amps.

To make version.3 lightweight, the designers swapped heavier, more conventional siding for metal mesh open joint siding.

Crafted with FSC woods and reclaimed materials, the micro-home is decked out in LED lights and touch dimmers to save energy.

The house also comes with a shower and composting toilet, compact Energy Star-certified fridge/freezer, kitchen space, and is finished in safe coat paints.