My winter survival suggestions – van versus farmhouse. The primary yr in my van was a winter spent in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. Now in my fifth yr being a nomad, I discover myself dwelling in our household farmhouse in Northern Alberta. Each are dwelling, each are significant, and each demand a totally completely different type of care—particularly when winter settles in deep.
Right here’s a have a look at what it’s actually prefer to journey, keep, and reside in these two worlds in Canada.
Vanlife Winter Survival: Compact Dwelling, Fixed Consideration
Dwelling in a van in the course of winter sounds easy—small area, fewer issues, and the flexibility to maneuver each time that you must. In 2022 I used to be living stealth in my van in Vancouver, British Columbia After weeks of grey skies, rain after which the snow arrived with temperatures dropping beneath –10°C, simplicity was a cautious balancing act.
Day by day Realities of Winter Vanlife
In a van, every little thing is shut collectively, together with the issues.
Warmth, moisture, and energy turn out to be your three important lifelines.
• Condensation Management
Frozen doorways, frost on the within of home windows, dampness, and wiping moisture turns into a every day chore. My largest problem got here when I discovered mould underneath my mattress. I didn’t even assume to test and after I did it was too late. My mattress and the plywood mattress body had black spots.
I gave it clear with bleach and water however wanted a long run resolution. I purchased an air stream membrane to place between the mattress and the wooden. It labored!
For those who don’t keep on prime of condensation, issues might begin smelling musty and mould can set in actually shortly.
• Heater Vigilance
In winter a heater turns into the guts of your house. Having an properly insulated van will help as properly. Nevertheless, one hiccup and all the area can freeze inside hours.
I exploit a propane heater that stored me heat and helped to maintain the damp down. The principle problem with heating my van was that it could warmth up shortly however was difficult to maintain it a fair temperature particularly when it was beneath freezing.
• Conserving Batteries Alive
My AGM batteries labored properly though they will decelerate or cease at excessive chilly. Insulating or warming them turns into a part of your routine. The most important problem in a Western Canadian winter is maintaining them charged as a result of lack of solar.
I depend on my photo voltaic panels to cost my batteries and the weeks of wet days made this an enormous problem. I realized to preserve my power use by turning the invertor off at night time. Fortunately I additionally had household I might go to after I wanted to prime up my batteries.
• Beginning and Driving Repeatedly
Chilly drains batteries and thickens fluids. The van wants motion as a lot as you do. I used to be stealth tenting so I moved at the least twice each day. I had a day spot after which within the night moved to an evening spot.
Storm or Weekly Duties for Winter Survival
Winter storms make van upkeep a cycle of “test, heat, clear, repeat.”
• Clear snow off the roof and photo voltaic panels
• Hold vents and followers from freezing shut
• Lubricate frozen door locks and rubber seals
• Refill propane and water extra regularly, as a result of every little thing burns or freezes quicker
Seasonal Musts
• Winter tires
• Block heater (if the climate goes to be beneath – 20 C)
• Gas components (diesel particularly)
• Discovering secure, wind-sheltered parking for chilly nights
Vanlife upkeep motto:
The whole lot is tiny, however nothing might be ignored—as a result of the chilly doesn’t forgive.
Farmhouse Winter Dwelling: Large Areas, Large Programs, Large Accountability
Switching from the small, self-contained world of the van to a full farmhouse is like leaping from a canoe right into a freighter. Abruptly every little thing is greater—hotter, steadier, however way more demanding.
A farmhouse in Northern Alberta isn’t only a constructing. It’s a machine with dozens of transferring elements, and winter checks each single one among them.
Day by day or Frequent Duties for Winter Survival
• Furnace Checks
Monitoring sounds, airflow, temperature consistency, and filters. A furnace hiccup right here is pressing—not elective. One factor I realized was filters should be modified often.
• Draft Patrol
Older farmhouses have appeal, however appeal usually comes with chilly spots and sneaky drafts. Rolled up blankets preserve the drafts from the underside of the doorways.
• Clearing Snow
Walkways, steps, driveways—all of it wants fixed consideration for security and entry. We’ve had a BIG snowfall this December so I’m out on a regular basis maintaining the deck and a path to the storage cleared. Fortunately we now have a governement grader that I can should clear the driveway.
Weekly or Storm-Associated Duties
• Checking the Roof for Buildup
Heavy snow can stress shingles and trigger leaks. Fortunately we had a brand new roof placed on the farmhouse final yr so all is sweet with that.
• Inspecting Pipes
Basement pipes, crawl area traces, and exterior partitions want common checks or warmth tape. I do a stroll about in the home and storage often to verify there are not any leaks or visiable issues.
• Monitoring Water Stream
Freeze-thaw cycles can shock you with pumps or drains. We depend on a pond for water for our bathroom, bathe and washing. Usually we now have a pump for air stream to assist preserve the pond clear. We’re presently having issues with this – one thing we have to have a look at.
Seasonal Necessities
• Chimney and vent inspections
• Window and door sealing
• Winterizing outbuildings
• Managing warmth payments and gasoline sources
• Checking sump pumps throughout gentle spells
Farmhouse upkeep motto:
The whole lot is bigger, slower, and dearer—however completely important.
Van vs. Farmhouse: The Winter Survival Comparability
Right here’s what stands out most when dwelling between each worlds:
1. Measurement and Complexity
• Van:
Small methods, easy routines, every little thing inside arm’s attain.
• Farmhouse:
A number of methods unfold throughout a big construction—plumbing, heating, roofing, electrical energy, yard entry, and climate considerations.
2. Accountability
• Van:
Simply you. If issues go mistaken, you take care of it by yourself timeline.
• Farmhouse:
You’re liable for different individuals’s consolation, security, and entry—24/7.
3. Warmth and Power
• Van:
Fast to warmth, fast to chill.
A small failure is a giant drawback.
• Farmhouse:
Gradual to warmth, gradual to chill.
However the furnace mustn’t ever fail.
4. Value and Effort
• Van:
Gas, propane, occasional freeze-related fixes.
• Farmhouse:
Heating payments, repairs, snow tools, and upgrades. Our water scenario will likely be a giant price sooner or later.
5. Emotional Power
• Van:
Feels free, easy, minimal, cellular.
However winter requires fixed consideration.
• Farmhouse:
Feels grounded, heat, and steady.
However the accountability is heavier and steady.
Dwelling Between Two Worlds
Experiencing winter from each houses has taught me that every way of life builds a unique type of resilience for winter survival.
The van teaches self-reliance. You be taught to hearken to the climate, belief your instincts, and adapt shortly.
The farmhouse teaches stewardship. You’re caring for a construction, a property, and individuals who rely upon you.
Each houses form you in their very own means—one via independence, one via accountability.
And within the quiet moments, like digging out the farmhouse steps I’m grateful that I can expertise winter from two utterly completely different worlds, every with its personal rhythm, its personal challenges, and its personal rewards.
Winter could also be lengthy and fierce in Northern Alberta, nevertheless it’s additionally a instructor—and I’m studying one thing new each day, irrespective of which dwelling I’m presently in.
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