Learnings from living in an InForest off grid rental

Confession: I booked a vacation to work at an InForest cabin this summer, I wasn’t looking for an introductory course on sustainable living. I was just looking to get away from the city, but not give up the creature comforts my children and their friends need. I received that, but also so many more.

I love the reenergizing powers of nature and often escape to the mountains or desert when I can. It’s something that’s become increasingly possible for many thanks to advances in solar panels, battery storage, data coverage, and flexible work-from-anywhere policies that have proliferated in the days since COVID-19. It’s possible to work anywhere you like.

I knew going in that my energy demands would push the already-well-equipped solar-powered cabin to its limits. I had all of the gear I needed for remote work while keeping my family entertained. This means I had one ebike, a videoprojector, two Bluetooth speakers and five phones. Two laptops, one tablet, three smartwatches, as well as two Bluetooth speakers. Starlink internet-from-space kit to keep it all connected. That’s on top of the lights and full suite of kitchen appliances and utility devices already inside the cabin. 

This summer, I was able work and play in a forest in Sweden for a week. The experience gave me a taste of what’s currently possible with off-grid tech, and a better understanding of the compromises required when resources are scarce — lessons I’ve since applied to daily life now that energy prices in Europe have gone through the roof.

InForest is the property of Jesper Uvesten, 40, and Petra Uvesten, 41. They had the dream to build a series of off grid cabins for those who want to be closer to nature. In 2020, the couple opened Ebbe, their first self-sufficient and eco-friendly cabin. Soon, the Vilgot- and Esther-cabins followed. Each one is named after one the three children.

Jesper is also employed full-time by the EU to work on rural development. Petra, however, is a triathlete. They run InForest on their own, but they have part-time help occasionally so they can go on holidays. Their goal is to grow from three to ten houses. 

The small cabins can be found in a thick forest with quiet lakes and hunting blinds. It is located about two hours east or three hours west Stockholm. Each cabin is handmade by TreesignA local builder of tiny houses. Each house was hauled by a truck on several miles of dirt roads.

I booked Esther, named after Jesper and Petra’s daughter and oldest child who (rightly) insisted that the biggest of the three houses carry her name. 

The Esther house is powered from a large solar array mounted on the roof. Six 320W panels help to charge a pair of lithium-ion 2.4kWh batteries. Each house is fitted with an inverter to provide 220V AC to wall outlets located everywhere you’d hope to find one. 

Power generation benefits immensely from Sweden’s long summer days. Jesper told me that the solar system in Sweden can provide 1.5kW per hour of charge, which is sufficient to fully recharge half-empty batteries within two hours. The outlets are then used to divert any excess energy. The batteries are what provide electricity for the house when the sun sets.

Sweden’s short winter days present a real challenge for the cabins as the low, weak sun can’t keep the batteries charged. InForest cabins are only available from March through October. Jesper plans to extend the season by purchasing an electric vehicle with bi-directional charging capability.

He would love to purchase a house in the ideal scenario. Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck but it’s not scheduled to come to Sweden any time soon, so maybe the new Volvo EX90 SUVIt will arrive in 2024. Whatever he purchases, he can charge his large 100kWh-plus battery at the house before going to each cabin to charge their smaller batteries. Jesper or Petra will have to visit each cabin once a week to clean and refill the water tanks. 

Fresh water is available from a 250-liter water tank (66 galon). A 10-liter (2.6-gallon) water heater is installed in the house. This provides hot water for approximately five to seven minutes.

The cabin’s LED lights, a kitchen fan, a DC refrigerator / freezer, heating fan, and water pump all require electric power. Jesper estimates that each house draws about 100W an hour when in use. This allows the batteries for the house to be powered for around two days with no charging. 

However, the houses need more than electricity. They’re also equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) system for the combined air and water heater and also for the stove and oven. There’s also a waterless composting toilet from Separett that InForest takes care of after guests check out.

InForest homes are meant to be serviceable. This is why all technology is located in a utility closet which can be accessed from outside. External connectors allow water to be refilled, and the batteries to eventually be charged, as soon as Jesper or Petra find an appropriate EV.

I’ve never been so aware of my water usage, thanks to a gauge mounted on the wall inside the bathroom. InForest estimates that the 250-liter tanks are enough to provide water for two adults on an average daily usage of three days. Jesper said that guests usually use approximately 41.6 Liters (11 Gallons) of water per person/day when they stay in their cabins. This is in contrast to 140 Liters (27.5 Gallons) in a typical Swedish household. I was traveling with five people, including three teenagers obsessed with images. I accepted the challenge!

It was easier than any amount scolding to see how much water had been left on the gauge. In our seven days in the house, we only had to have the water refilled once, I’m proud to say. It was a drastic (but easy) change to our behavior. We had to shut off the water while we used the shower and brush our teeth. It’s something I did not do before. It meant developing a dishwashing system that would save as much energy and as little water as possible. 

It would be nice if the cabin had a power meter. I’m not sure how close it came to emptying its batteries or how much excess power those panels generated during the day. As I’ve learned when reviewing solar generators, it’s easier to modify energy consumption habitsWhen you see them mapped over time. However, knowing that the power might shut off at any time was an incentive for everyone to make sure their social media accounts were charged during the day when the sun was active powering the ports.

Even though the urine-diverting bathroom did not have a meter on it, we could see paper beginning to sprout from its poop chute after our last day. This was a sign that it was becoming full. Fortunately, it’s ventilated so it was odorless. The toilet collects solid waste in a biodegradable bag that is tossed onto an off-site compost heap after guests depart.

Purists who quote Thoreau often tell me that I’m doing it wrong when I share my off-grid experiences. I’m supposed to totally disconnect and leave my gadgets at home. I prefer to find a balance between bending nature’s will to my needs and then allowing it to take its wildness. The grass can’t be greener on the other side if I’m straddling the fence. 

Upon my return, the lessons I learned at InForest have become new habits. When I brush my teeth or use the shower, the tap is still turned off. I’ve unplugged a dozen rarely used gadgets that had been slowly leeching power. I’m also investigating having my home fitted with solar panels and battery backup. Although I have access to what seems like a never-ending supply of electricity and hot water here in Amsterdam, high energy prices make resources I’ve previously taken for granted suddenly feel scarce.

Of course, I’ve known I should do these things for years. However, stress is something I have been able to attach emotional memories (stress!) It has been easier for me to change my behavior because I have a lot of emotional memories (stress!) attached to it. And let’s be honest, saving money is a strong motivator as well.

The biggest lesson I took away is that technology has advanced so much that off grid living is more feasible than I thought. This is without making too many compromises. But it’s a good idea to try it for yourself before fully committing.

InForest isn’t alone in providing off-grid getaways. Google searches will likely bring up multiple local providers close to you. Otherwise, Airbnb’s May redesign makes it easier to find experiences like off-the-grid living for those who want to go to the woods to try living a bit more deliberately.