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Does anyone here live off the grid?

by ShayB
15 replies
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I am just wondering if anyone here has taken the steps to become independent of electricity.

I am looking into it. I believe that it is very possible where we live. Lots of sunshine.
  • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
    Not sure you could become TOTALLY independent or not, but you could make a HUGE dent in your bill using a combination of solar and possibly wind (if you're out near the Isle of Palms or one of the other "outer" areas) and then add one of those outdoor woodburning furnaces to take care of that mild winter cold...

    All three would be fairly expensive to start but would pay off BIG in the long run..
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  • Profile picture of the author Kate Carpenter
    That is my husband and my goal. We are looking at hydro-electric and have friend who have the set-up done and live nicely. Solar is good, too, though the start up costs can be high, but I know of people who are using it successfully.
    I would suggest that you do not involve the utility company...as in selling your excess to them because then they have too much control over what you do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by Kate Carpenter View Post

      That is my husband and my goal. We are looking at hydro-electric and have friend who have the set-up done and live nicely.
      I just read recently somewhere about a man who's just invented some very small (and adjustable to the particular use) hydro-electric unit that would have no problem providing PLENTY of power for the average homeowner...even from a small, slow moving water source.
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  • Profile picture of the author LavelleC
    A friend and I are working with an electrician on
    a little contraption to hopefully take our getaway
    cabin off the grid.

    Unfortunately though, Mississippi has a piss-poor
    net-metering law so the best we can do is have
    a $0 electric bill.

    Still off the grid though.

    Lavelle C
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  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Shay, that's one of my dreams -- I'd love to live in an energy independent house!

    It can even be done in my rainy old country. A guy in London called Donnachadh McCarthy (I think that's pronounced 'Donna-cuh') has done it. Even though his house is quite old, he's insulated it as best as he can, fitted electricity-generating solar panels and a solar water heating system to his roof and added a wind turb.

    The result is that when the electricity he buys from the grid in one year is subtracted from the electricity he supplies, he's £20 in credit. I know that's not a lot but even if it was zero, then he's freed himself from energy bills.

    (His website's here but there's not much to see... Donnachadh McCarthy: Home )
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      We went off the grid for a few hours today because of the fires in Southern California. Had to fire up the gas generator because of rolling blackouts.
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      • Profile picture of the author ThomM
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        We went off the grid for a few hours today because of the fires in Southern California. Had to fire up the gas generator because of rolling blackouts.
        How you doing out there with them fires Paul?
        I do hope they miss you.
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        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

          How you doing out there with them fires Paul?
          I do hope they miss you.
          I am just south of the Sylmar fire (near Los Angeles) and the smoke and ash has dimmed the sunlight and covered everything, even getting indoors. Other than that we are ok. There were intermittant power outages, but our gasoline-powered electrical generator kicked in for a few hours.

          Me and the boys are setting up shelters in the area with donations from local businesses for a few of the folks who lost their mobile homes. Other fires are also further north and south of us. Over 800 people lost their homes from all these fires, but I haven't heard of any deaths. They were able to evacuate by the firefighters knocking on doors.

          Southern California has been nature's punching bag over the past few years, so we have adapted to living off the grid (involuntarily) with generators and emergency supplies for a few weeks at a time. Earthquakes, floods, fires, and riots are getting to be routine around here.
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          • Profile picture of the author ThomM
            Glad to hear you're ok Paul.
            I'll be keeping you and the rest of Ca. in my prayers.
            I saw on the news a while ago they had to bring in those dogs to check for bodies in a trailer park where the fire just ripped through.
            Up here in NY the worst we have to deal with is the hi cost of living.
            When I see what the rest of the country has to deal with with the weather it really pales in comparison.
            Sure it gets cold here in the winter but big deal.
            Good luck buddy.
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            Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
            Getting old ain't for sissy's
            As you are I was, as I am you will be
            You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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      • Profile picture of the author acreativetouch
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        We went off the grid for a few hours today because of the fires in Southern California. Had to fire up the gas generator because of rolling blackouts.
        I drove through some of the area today, it was so smoky, you would think it was a cloudy day. Later in the afternoon, the freeway where I was driving at 8 am was closed. You guys have my prayers.

        Dorothy
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        Dorothy Carlson
        Phoenix Natural Health

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  • Profile picture of the author valerieSONORA
    I would like too but it's complicated to get it set up but seems worth it. There's a good documentary about a family who decided to live off the grid I will post it later on when I have more time to look it up.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      In the meantime AG, here's 6 minutes of rural relaxation...

      (P.S. The reference to "Tom and Barbara" comes from a 1970s BBC sitcom called "The Good Life" where a couple turn their backs on the rat race to become completely self sufficient)

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  • Profile picture of the author acreativetouch
    Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

    I am just wondering if anyone here has taken the steps to become independent of electricity.

    I am looking into it. I believe that it is very possible where we live. Lots of sunshine.
    Contact me. You can not only be independent of electricity but water too.

    Dorothy
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    Dorothy Carlson
    Phoenix Natural Health

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  • Profile picture of the author valerieSONORA
    Here ya go, here's some people living off the grid and being self sufficient.

    Documentary, Architecture, Ecology - "Living a self sufficient life"

    30 days off the grid: if you watch at hulu you have to sign up for an account, watch it from video.google.com you dont have to.

    There's a commune that are self sufficient, vegetarian, make their own compost.

    living off the grid - Google Video
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