How to Live Off-Grid

To live off grid means to live without electricity. It can also mean adopting a lifestyle of self reliance and renewable energy sources. Living off grid is becoming more popular in the United States as people try to reduce or eliminate their electric bills and decrease America's dependency on fossil fuel.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Cut back on your electricity needs before putting in alternate fuel sources. The less electricity you need to power your home, the fewer solar panels, wind generators and batteries you will need to install. List everything in your home that needs power and decide which items are not essential. If something is not essential, get rid of it.

2. Replace essential electrical items with non-electrical ones whenever possible. For example a refrigerator might be essential, but it uses a lot of electricity. Replace the electric refrigerator with a kerosene or propane powered refrigerator.

3. Conserve. Never leave a light on in a room that you are not in, turn the television off when it is not being watched. Everybody should conserve energy, but people living off grid have no choice but to conserve.

4. Choose alternate means for generating energy. Install solar panels or windmills. You might want to use a combination of several alternate energy sources.

5. Buy a 5,000 watt generator for occasional use and powering the big items. If you must do laundry and clean the house on the same day or use power tools for a construction project, you may overtax your alternate fuel sources. Keep a generator on hand for use during those times.

[Desula]

on 7/19/2008 Great tips on getting started living off the grid.