Off-grid living involves disconnecting from mains utility services in order to harvest your own electricity and water. This typically involves using solar panels or wind turbines to provide electricity, a well or rainwater collection to harvest water, a septic tank to handle sewage and sometimes even wood burners to provide extra heat.
Going off-grid may seem like a lot of hassle. However, it can have many benefits. Below are just some of the different reasons to consider taking your home off-grid.
Going off-grid may seem like a lot of hassle. However, it can have many benefits. Below are just some of the different reasons to consider taking your home off-grid.
Why Take Your Home Off-Grid?
Stop paying energy bills
Living off-grid means no longer having to pay utility bills. Because you’re harvesting all your own energy and water, you don’t need to pay a provider.
Of course, this is an investment. Solar panels can cost a lot of money to install, as can digging a well or installing a rainwater harvesting system. Many people have to pay for these improvements using finance, which could take ten years or more to pay off. However, one day they will be paid off and you’ll be getting utilities for free.
Of course, this is an investment. Solar panels can cost a lot of money to install, as can digging a well or installing a rainwater harvesting system. Many people have to pay for these improvements using finance, which could take ten years or more to pay off. However, one day they will be paid off and you’ll be getting utilities for free.
Save the planet
Off-grid living can also be more environmentally friendly. Many energy providers still rely heavily on fossil fuels to provide energy to people’s homes. These are a finite resource that creates a lot of carbon emissions. While you can use fossil fuel generators at home such as petrol generators, most modern off-grid homes use sustainable options like solar power that cause much less harm to the environment.
Harvesting one’s own water and managing one’s own waste is also better for the environment. Huge amounts of power are used to pump water to our homes and process sewage. This national power demand can be reduced by switching to off-grid water and waste solutions.
Harvesting one’s own water and managing one’s own waste is also better for the environment. Huge amounts of power are used to pump water to our homes and process sewage. This national power demand can be reduced by switching to off-grid water and waste solutions.
Avoid mains issues
Many areas of the US use old electrical infrastructure dating back to the 1950s, which is prone to faults. Power cuts can be particularly common in areas that are prone to storms as a result of power lines being destroyed. By switching to off-grid power solutions, you may be able to keep your home running throughout the year without worrying about these problems. This could be essential if you need constant power for work or if you have pets like tropical fish that rely on power to live.
Taking your plumbing off-grid could meanwhile prevent you having to deal with issues like water shortages or flooded drains. This could be very useful in certain areas that are prone to drought or flooding.
Taking your plumbing off-grid could meanwhile prevent you having to deal with issues like water shortages or flooded drains. This could be very useful in certain areas that are prone to drought or flooding.
Reconnect with nature
Going off-grid can make you feel more connected to the elements around you. Instead of using water pumped in from miles away, you can use the water directly underneath the property or the rain falling on your roof. Instead of creating energy from fossil fuels mined halfway across the world, you can harvest energy from the wind and sunlight around you.
This does mean that you can be more at mercy of elements - without enough sun, wind or rain, problems may occur. However, in most locations, going off-grid is feasible. Solar panels can still harvest solar energy through the clouds, while wells can help to supplement a lack of rainwater during droughts.
This does mean that you can be more at mercy of elements - without enough sun, wind or rain, problems may occur. However, in most locations, going off-grid is feasible. Solar panels can still harvest solar energy through the clouds, while wells can help to supplement a lack of rainwater during droughts.
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