Is Living Off the Grid Right For You?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04. 8.08
Like many things in the greater green sphere, living off the grid -- that is, without reliance on public utilities for things like electricity and water -- has jumped into national prominence over the past few years; if Daryl Hannah is doing it, we should all be aware of it. There's an awful lot to like about living off-grid, and it's a little different for everybody, but in many cases it requires a few lifestyle modifications and a different day-to-day routine. So, how do you know if you should live off the grid?
First, figure out if you want to. If you can answer "Yes!" to questions like, "Do you want to stop receiving electricity bills, or receive a bill that'll make you smile?", "Are you willing to spend money to make money?", "Do you want to have things like electricity and hot water at any time?" and, "Do you know a lot about (or want to learn a lot about) alternative energy?" then going off the grid might be for you.
Why live off the grid?
There are lots of reasons to think about living off the grid. Geography -- if you've found your little slice of heaven here on earth that's too far to feasibly plug in to the grid -- is often a good motivator, but ethical, environmental and altruistic choices drive many an off-gridder to unplug from conventional power sources; producing and using your own clean energy can be a wonderfully empowering, liberating experience, and it sure can be nice to not receive all those bills.
Whatever your reason for living off-grid, your quality of life can be as good, or better than, it would be living connected to the grid. You'll have to be more familiar and more involved in the inner workings of you energy system, and planning to use appliances and gadgets that use the electricity you create. Rule #1 of living off the grid: the electricity you produce must be greater than the electricity you consume, so being smart and thorough about energy conservation is the key to doing so without really breaking the bank. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: when living off the grid, one dollar worth of energy conservation can save three to five dollars in energy generation equipment costs.
A few considerations for living off the grid
When it comes to whether or not you can reasonably expect to produce all of your own energy, it's all about your lifestyle; everyone will be different, depending on different individual needs. Have a home office or computer? Like to watch television? Do you have carpets that need regular vacuuming? Have a family of five, or is it just you? If you want all the latest bells and whistles (like an off-grid home with its own climate-controlled wine cellar, which actually does exist) and aren’t in to being an energy miser, then you can expect to pay more for a larger energy system (but that's another post).
With nearly 200,000 people unplugged from the grid, the movement is still in its infancy (at least in the mainstream), but is gaining in popularity as energy prices rise and the costs of off-grid technologies falls. Stay tuned for more on living off the grid, in the meantime, check out Darryl Hannah's take on it and see also: ::Off-Grid Man Jailed For Confronting Utility Company, ::Solar Baby Steps: Take One Room Off-Grid and ::Off-Grid Media Players
would like to get more information on where to get a house like the one in the picture, does anyone know?
Reminds me of the Beverly Hillbillies in reverse: Beverly Greenbillies?
What's most challenging about the off grid life is landing somewhere where you can fit in a community and adapt to the cultural components that no one talks in mainstream media coverage: hunting and fishing and wood chopping and snow shoveling and well digging and large scale gardening. Think Amish without the flashy design acoutrements of the modern green movement. What happens if a relationship goes sour? Do you sell out an move to the city? Rural health care sucks if you hadn't noticed.
It ain't all "Silver Ships on the water,;very free and easy". Its about survival and community.
The Amish life sounds pretty good for the religious -- but what about those of us who are happy-secular-people?
The above poster has a great point. I've looked in to cohousing a couple of times -- I love the idea, but every community that I've looked at appears to be culturally-incompatible with me. I have the engineer's mindset, and I love tinkering with mechanical and electronic toys -- and my attitude toward these things and toward life appear, at first glance, to be incompatible with a lot of the other people who are interested in social/efficient living. When you're a real oddball, it can be really hard to find like-minded people -- even with the searching-power of the Internet.
I'm just lucky I met a girl like me! :-)
I think living off the grid would be wonderful. Unfortunately, I'm someone who will probably never own land or my own home and instead will probably depend the people I know and love to stay alive. I just can't bring myself to commit heinous and destructive acts for money, so I'll never accumulate any.
I guess dropping out is the next best thing.
@Komra - it's the Bark All Terrain Cabin:
http://www.barkbark.ca/
**
CD: Thanks Preston!
I believe zero-cost living has to be the goal. Let each person be sustained by the sky above and the earth below. Of course fleeing to the middle of nowhere is one way to accomplish this, but the world won't be saved until the large population centers operate at zero cost as well.
There is no reason why one cant live the typical western 1st world lifestyle AND live off the grid. Decentralization of resources is a great idea not just for the individual but for whole communities. Relying on energy, resources and food from corporations only interested in profits and no concern for the environment is a very bad idea. I have seen how in Los Angeles during the 94 earthquake how civilization basically ended overnight and people had to fend for themselves with the spectre of global climate change at the doorstep we need an "Off the Grid" movement. There really is no reason why everyone cant find a way to be less reliant on the power co, the water co, the gas station, the super market.
I've been living off the grid for about 20 years.
Energy-wise I've got a fairly normal life style. I've got a few computers, a TV that I don't watch, a normal refrigerator, etc. I run all my shop tools (table saw, compressor, etc.) with my system. I heat with wood, cook and take showers using propane.
Obviously there's a bit more work than just hooking up to the grid and writing a check every month.
This morning I had to go out and sweep some snow off the panels. I have to keep a generator ready to go for about five months a year when the local cloud cover blocks sunlight. And I have to check the water level in my batteries every couple of months.
I didn't get independent for any political/environmental reason. I did it for financial reasons.
I've got a wonderful piece of land in the coastal rangewith incredible views (including the Pacific off in the distance). I could never have afforded this land if it was on the grid nor could I have afforded bring the grid to me ($300,000).
Instead I bought a piece of land, significantly discounted because there wasn't a power line running down the road and spent aobut $10,000 setting up my own power company.
I do have to spend some money on my system. Batteries need replacing every few years (averaging well under $10 per month) and I have to buy some fuel for the gen in the winter. I'd be very surprised if I spend $25 dollars a month (averaged over the year) for all my power needs.
We've got a lot of people off the grid around here and they cover the political specturm. We've got folks on the left who sometimes drift into looney-tunes land and folks on the right who obsess about government conspiricies.
Most of us are way to the middle of the two extremes. Except the tobacco-chewing, coon hunting, loggers tend to care a lot about the environment. (Perhaps they spend more time observing and less time letting some radio demigod tell them what to think. ;o)
We've got excellent medical care. Earlier today I drove up to the clinic (beautiful drive along the river) and dropped in wihout an appointment. (Minor emergency.)
In a few minutes the staff managed to squeeze me in. The doc spent close to a half hour talking with me. That's normal. We don't suffer the medical mill here.
Of course one has to choose an area that offers what they need. All places aren't as good. But I've got friends with similar lifestyles in other places and I'd say they're as well satisfied.
A bit more....
My batteries were fully charged by 11 this morning. Pretty typical of sunny days.
If I had a PHEV I could dump a lot of surplus 'middle of the year' power into its batteries and further reduce my expenses.
Additionally the ""Do you want to have things like electricity and hot water at any time?" bit?
One can count on the local/city grid going down at least once most years. We do have big storms and people do slide into power poles.
In ~20 years I've been without power for three days.
I undersized component (a shunt) in my system. The washing machine got turned on while I was running my table saw, and I was down.
Replaced the shunt with one 10x larger.
I've never been without hot water- tankless propane.
(Well, there was one time that the pipes froze and I had to melt snow on the wood stove. I guess that would have to be counted. ;o)
How about off-grid and online? Meaning --- in the city, on the bus line, on a network --- but with either a radically reduced footprint or a completely off-grid power system?
I'm beginning an experiment along those lines that I'd like to think could be one more model for increasing the density of cities without increasing the collective footprint (ideally). It's also a way to break the rent/mortgage trap, or at least reduce the amount one pays.
Short version: build your own designed-for-disassembly minimalist pod structure with self-contained systems, set it up inside a shell that provides basic shelter, like a garage, a shed, an industrial loft. During mild weather, expand into the larger space. In winter, retire to the pod. Take it apart and take it with you. Think small RV or Andrea Zittel's mid-90s projects. Add solar or wind or anaerobic bio-digester methane. Or all three.
I came to this after finding that conventional housing was just too energy-hungry to meet my carbon-footprint goals. And once I no longer needed conventional appliances and systems I realized I could live well and cheap within the scope of the grid but not on it. Though you could argue that the best choice would be to do grid tie-in to reduce peak demand and lessen the need for new coal plants.
There needs to be a larger focus to making urban living more green and potentially off the grid. I would love to live out in a little piece of paradise but aren't we just compounding the problem of sprawl.
Off the grid and on the web....
Satellite ISP.
About $400 up front cost for hardware and $60 month for access.
Not cheap, not terribly expensive.
@ Bob Wallace
Your life sounds pretty cool :)
@ thespyofcharles:
Maybe so - but it's a life still hugely reliant on grids of diverse kinds: propane, for instance, driving, back-up generators, highly specialist panels and batteries, a medical facility, lots of money. All products or parts of massive grids.
Living without oil in any form. Now that would be 'off-grid'. As oil permeates every last corner of western life, I suspect even Mr Wallace couldn't manage that one.
you can find out much more about living off-grid at www.off-grid.net. You can meet other people in the forum who are also looking to go off-grid.
Its not neccessarily the right thing for you, but it is an option we should all consider.
Just read a great article on how to pull this off:
http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-get-off-grid-in-a-vintage-travel-trailer/
Urban spaces offer the perfect opportunity to take lots of people off grid, without the massive infustructural change that would be required elsewhere. www.off-grid.net has an article about what is being done to make this possible in Austin, and the rest of the world. Good work Treehugger on exposing such a wonderful moverment!
Dear friends, there is NO way you can achieve economy and autonomy at the same time. This is true with almost any resource on earth.
In order to achieve autonomy you will have to invest in a much larger private power plant than your median (sorry for the mathematics) usage. This is what utilities do anyway. On the other hand, if we go with a smaller system, I think it is a bit appaling in our times to wonder whether it can hold another device on.
So, my suggestion is, get connected and invest on energy saving and, hopefully, a green electricity provider.
About living off the grid:
Building a micro home like the one depicted in the photo is not a difficult or expensive project if you are of average talent and familiar with the proper use of tools and measuring. We have considered setting up a production line to build inexpensive micro homers and kits for years. The problem here in the East is finding a place to put them. I really like the concept, and personally grew up in a micro home that my parents built during the great depression. We are currently experimenting with construction methods and the use of recycled materials. I have marketed energy saving products for forty years.
I would really like to hear from anyone who would actually consider purchasing a low cost mass produced micro home or kit. it would greatly influence our decision to start an assembly line.
Thank,
Walt
I lived off and on (depending on my parents' custody of me, my dad's work needs, and my school needs) the grid from age 0-18. I have really mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, mainstream America is so ailienating to me in that (now living in NYC, in law school) I feel forced into a lot of wasteful practices. Not that it's impossible, but it's definitely swimming upstream to figure out the sustainable energy options, reject the plastic bags, carry around the tea mug, try to schedule social events before dark, etc etc etc, you all know the drill. It's frustrating that the default settings for most day to day functions are just so wasteful.
So I'm really glad that more people are opting out! Let's get a critical mass! Off the grid living is amazing in that it fosters (in my experience) a deeper connection with both the earth and one's immediate surroundings. Plus you can practice all sorts of satisfying life skills for yourself, rather than outsourcing them (I grew up DIY'ing eeeeverything).
On the downside, as someone mentioned, it can be isolating and restricting of normal options (employment, schooling, social circles etc). Which is why I'm here and not there - for now, anyway.
BTW, my dad has now been living off the grid for about 30 years. He's about to get satellite internet for the first time! (run off a windmill that he made from scrapped engine parts himself)
To Ross - thanks for the link! Very nice site.
We all need to learn the skills to some degree sally's family learned and practice.
Write a book sally and put it all together!
Awesome!
vsk
it's possible to live off the grid if you live in a year-round growing climate. Up here in frigid canada, we have to work to keep our homes warm and pay for vehicles to get us to work. we are damned.
Being now in the 3rd year of throwing myself into the off the grid lifestyle I am seeing the same romantic look at this lyfesty. I am seeing a lot of mis representation.
You forget how much time and energy goes into growing/preserving your own food. Harvesting your own meat. Using energy sources that you have never used before.
Finding work in the middle of no where to pay for the things that will enable you to live off grid. Pay for the gas to get you to the job to help you pay for these things.
Think about how much you actually have your tv on. I never really whatched it, but had it on as background noise. You will have to pay mucho for internet of the grid. There may be a very real cultural shock. I was very shocked as I got to know the people around me. Nothing related to education but principals. The earth is not thought of here, it is a trash can and play ground for 4 wheelers.
The isolation is an issue. Make sure that you are prepared to buy in bulk and try to predict things to buy that you will need in the future.
I cost, well now that gas is up a little over 10 dollars in gas to go to the store.
I personally think that you need to have two or more people to make it. (Depending on the region) People have a very romantic view and this is not always the case.
There is so much more work involved, I think most people will be disillusioned and give up. This could potentially cost someone a lot of money.
But after saying all that I must say that there is nothing that I love more than to hang clothes on the clothes line while my son is there playing or "helpiing" me. Food has never tasted so good. Any time bills are brought up, people are amazed at how much less our bills are. They think we know some financial secret and we just won't tell. LOL
Living off grid is like having a child. So much work , yet, so much gratification. You just have to decide whether you want to keep it or not.
Given the recent news about how easy it was for hackers to take over computers at an electric company, people should consider going off grid in even greater numbers.
I live in Vermont another cooler area in winter. I watched a show on living off the grid with Les Stroud the survival guy. He found an old falling in house in Canada and fixed it up and run's solar in summer and wind in winter. I would love to live off the grid but it takes money and know how. Two things I lack at this time. The is a remake of a 1700's wooden fort nearby called Fort at Four. Theres a small 2 story home there that I think would be a perfect as a off the grid home. But what I think it would take and WHAT it would take to make it off the grid are 2 seperate things. I would add a wing for a bathroom with a point of use electric ( by solar ) hot water heater and for the washer also. Skylights with stone tiles a shower that is a slab on cement with walls and on the side a woodstove/bathtub ( don't know what they call that combo ) the home would heat with pellet stove, but keep regular woodstove in barn incase crisis. Along side of a woodsove cookstove with side waterheater. Stove electric ( from solar and frig from solar ) 1 tv, 1 computer, 1 small light per room. I even drew it all out. Is there anyone who knows how to do solar that could make such a thing work or is it all a stupid idealistic idea ? Brian
16 years off-the-grid for me, but I am blessed with a great creek for our hydro. My poor lonely solar panels are not even hooked up anymore after being returned by a friend I loaned them to.One of my friends is putting in 7 poles to join the grid instead of investing in upgrading his system.