There are many people today that are not only embracing the world of renewable energy and technologies, but they are completely “living off the grid.” For those of you that are not quite up to speed with this term, “living off the grid” basically refers to living in a self-sufficient manner without relying on one or more public utilities. It also refers to the boycotting of gas and sewer lines, getting rid of cell phones and generally getting away from most modern technology completely. Figures suggest that around 200,000 Americans have disconnected from the grid and are now serving as self-sufficient using solar and wind power technologies. If you are looking to get completely off the grid there are a few things you may want to consider:
- Moving to somewhere more rural: You will need a certain amount of land for farming and your wind or solar power technologies, so moving to somewhere rural is a good place to start. Others choose to live in a home that is mobile and catch the sun as it moves.
- Downsizing: To maximize self-sufficiency you need to make the most of every nook and cranny and not waste any space. Usually, the easiest way to do this is to downsize. Look for something cozy where there will be no wasted space to heat or cool.
- Make your own electric: Wind turbines can be purchased from between $500 to $2,500 while solar panels and a generator will set you back around $1,300 on average.
- Farm your food: Outdoor fire pits and BBQ’s are a great way to save money and energy on cooking, and if you are cooking food that you have grown organically in your own garden, then it’s a win-win situation.
- Find low-energy consuming appliances: Appliances that are not energy efficient will use up most of your supply and could leave you in a sticky situation. Stick to low wattage, energy efficient TV’s, refrigerators and water pumps especially as these are often very high energy consuming products.
- Find a water source: Depending on your situation will depend on where you get your water from, but usually a 15-20 gallon storage tank is more than enough for the average home. You can also use a propane tank to get hot water as and when you need it.
Living “off the grid” is not as hard as it may first appear and once people do go self-sufficient, there are very few that ever look back. It will save you money, help your health and save the environment all at the same time. Even if you don’t decide to go completely self-sufficient, just by adopting one or two of these policies could save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.
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