Living Off Grid – How Easy Is it?

Is Living Off Grid Really Easy?

Genuinely, honestly, how easy is it, really, to be living off grid?

Some people view ‘living off grid’ as any way possible – for example using propane or bottled gas – but to me that’s not genuinely living off grid because you’re still dependent upon big oil companies to provide propane or natural gas, which is not eco-friendly.

So, how easy is it, really, to be living off grid?

Well, first of all you need to know that you can’t simply place a few solar panels on your roof and immediately start living off grid!

Current on grid living uses a lot more energy than we realise – and when it comes at the flick of a switch, it’s easy to forget just how much power we draw.

Solar power is relatively expensive to buy, while grid power is provided by companies who use massive capital investment, government subsidies and economies of scale to keep their prices relatively low.

You need to think about your motivation for living off grid.   Here are common reasons:

1. I want to reduce my current utility bill charges .
2. I want to be living off grid in the future, but want to start small right now.
3. I want an alternative source of energy for emergencies.
4. I want independence from government-controlled supplies.
5. I want to reduce my impact on the planet.

You may have more than one of these motivations.  All of them are valid!   Some require more work than others.

Be aware:  whichever stage you are at in terms of living off grid, you will need to practice energy conservation.  Alternative energy is precious and you need to be very, very conscious of your day-to-day living style in terms of what you use.

If you simply want to reduce your energy bills, then, to be honest, you’ll gain more from conservation measures in your home, than investing in renewable power which has a long pay-back time.

If you want to be living off grid eventually, but transition gradually, a great way to start small is to purchase some solar panels, connect some appliances to solar power, and practice energy conservation.   Start learning about which items in your home use the most electricity.  This is crucial in planning your path to living off grid.

Tip: if you have children, get them involved in energy conservation.  Kids are great at coming up with creative ideas for the home.

You might also consider purchasing propane-powered appliances.  These are not eco-friendly (propane or bottled gas is a by-product of oil drilling and coal mining).  Many people use propane as an energy source when living off grid – it is easier and the capital costs are generally less than solar power.    But you will still be reliant on big oil companies to provide propane, you’ll still rely on fossil fuels, and you’ll need space to store the bottles or a tank.

Having an alternative source of power for emergencies is an excellent idea!  Outages are becoming more common across the world, and you face being without heating / cooling, water and lighting.  You might lose all the food in your freezer.  So having an alternative, preferably renewable, energy source is a really good idea!

At the very least, you will want to be able to charge your cell phone to keep in touch with loved ones.   Ideally you’d also want to able to provide some lighting too, and some key appliances.    You can do this via solar power (green) or a generator.

Tip:  if you have a generator, be sure to test it regularly.  There’s no point in finding out there’s a problem, on the day you need to use it!

Next:  Tips for the ultimate lifestyle – living off grid!

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Want to know about living off grid? Try these:     Living Off Grid – Passive House Design        Living Off Grid – Water & Electricity        Living Off Grid – Heating    Living Off Grid – Cooking