Living off the grid (Page 2)

But did you make your own foil.....that's how they get into your head, you know....the aluminum foil conspiracy is after you, man....don't wear the shiny side against your head.

Seriously, though, being responsible for your own needs is, I think, a really cool goal, particularly when we are in a society that makes us so dependent on others from far away for some pretty basic needs.

ACGRAY22 - 2008-03-27 3:20 PM

ride_like_u_stole_it - 2008-03-27 1:06 PM

ACGRAY22 - 2008-03-27 3:01 PM I just made myself a cool hat out of aluminum foil. Take that CIA!!!!

But did you make your own foil.....that's how they get into your head, you know....the aluminum foil conspiracy is after you, man....don't wear the shiny side against your head.

Seriously, though, being responsible for your own needs is, I think, a really cool goal, particularly when we are in a society that makes us so dependent on others from far away for some pretty basic needs.

 

I agree, I would like to be as self sufficiant as possible. I've been wanting to make a joke about foil on my head for a while now though so I had to jump on the opportunity

You'll need this, then.

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You might check out solar shingles... each shingle is its own solar cell and it ties into you electrical system... given that you are thinking NC, your solar rating (amount sun shines to amount it's not) might be worth checking into that.  AND as someone mentioned, you can tie into the grid and pump money back into it and help offset that initial higher cost...

-Brian 

Make sure you have a good antidote for Giardia.

My husband is a homebuilder and did two 2700 sq ft off-grid homes last year.  They were both in a neighborhood outside of Steamboat Springs, CO where there are a bunch of people living off-grid.  "Standard" practice for a fulltime home that is off-grid is to use solar panels (roof-mounted or standalone) for power with a backup generator running on propane.  The people who live in these houses are mostly year-round residents, so the backup generator is a necessity.  The propane used to power the generator is also used for the hot water heater, forced air heat (though most have a wood burning or pellet stove to provide the bulk of heating in winter - more efficient), and stove.  Water is from a well that is also powered by the solar system.  Typical cost of a solar system + batteries + generator to power a 2,000 sq ft house is $20-25,000. 

The main thing we've seen as people move into these houses is that there is a big adjustment to living off grid. When you're running a solar system, you can drain your batteries very quickly if you have large ghost loads (i.e. things plugged in that are "off" but still drawing power for clocks, lights, etc - like a TV or microwave).  In the summer, the biggest power draw is the refrigerator, so it pays to do research into efficiency and size - for instance, the automatic icemake is a big power draw - kind of a no no.  Obviously regular light bulbs are a no-no - flourescents are necessary.

Anyhow, I'm rambling and I don't know if any of this is useful.  PM me if you want more info.  There's good magazine about solar power - I think it's called "Solar Living" or something. 

Thank you! This is very helpful information.

One of the neighbors here had their floors made from pine milled from the trees that were standing on their lot. Their house smells soooooooo good.

Your friend's life sounds pretty awesome.