Is it possible to have utilities (like electricity and plumbing) in a fabric yurt? What about solar power?
Most of the utilities used in conventional homes can be installed in a fabric yurt. Plumbing and electricity are usually brought up through the floor and may be run through interior walls that you install in the yurt to create rooms. In a cold climate it may be helpful to build a small permanent outbuilding that you can super-insulate and in which you can bring up plumbing for kitchen and bath facilities. You can install a propane heater and thermostat in the outbuilding to keep your plumbing from freezing while you’re gone, without having to heat the entire yurt. Another option for cold climates is to install plumbing that is easily drained when you leave for any length of time during the winter months. Many fabric yurts are used in remote locations where it is common to use solar power, water catchment systems, and composting or sawdust toilets (see The Humanure Handbook). For more on utilities, see Rainier Yurts and Pacific Yurts.
