Comments on: How to Move Yourself Off-The-Grid

By: Canada Bound

Canada Bound — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:30:37 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with the notions put forth in this article. HOWEVER, I’ve done a bit of research. A composting camode starts at around $2000, not $1000. Go with the lovable loo, if you can. I find that, no matter how ecologically advanced, most permit granting people will insist on at least a dry well for the disposal of grey water. Another expense. Then there’s the Rainwater Harvesting problem. I would love to find a system for under $4500. That’s about where the companies start. And, I have a question no one seems able or willing to answer: When the snow is on the roof, how do you melt it and keep it melted and flowing into your fancy RWH system during the 6-8 months of sub-zero weather? I am playing with the idea of using a “HotEdge.” But don’t know if that will actually work. I will probably wind up hauling buckets of snow to heat on the “efficient” wood stove you were talking about, which will run about $4000.00 from Kimberly Stoves. Oh, the Hot Edge isn’t cheap, either, even for a small cabin. Have you priced a Solar System? You had better be Extremely Frugal, if you hope to get by on Solar–or rich. Wind power starts at around $10,000.00 for a system that gives you 400kwh per month–probably less. And, what if the sun don’t shine, or the wind don’t blow? I will try to collect rainwater, I employ the lovable loo, and put in a greywater dry well, but, I think I will have to go with the public utility company on the electric. I have read alot of articles that gloss over the realities of living off the grid–usually by people who haven’t tried it–yet. Would rather read articles written by “them that’s doing” and with a nod to the EXPENSES and challenges involved.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:59:57 +0000

For the truth about the legality of the lovable loo be sure to read Jenkin’s book. http://humanurehandbook.com/

Also in this episode of PeakMoment Dee Williams describes the loophole she uses that makes her lovable loo legal in her neck of the woods. Not entirely ideal but workable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F8cpXg_n8

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:37:56 +0000

The loveable loo system is illegal in most areas. For most the NSF certified compost toilets are the only legal system to use, and still you may have to explain yourself and fight for the right to use one to the dumbed down people in charge of the slaves.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:43:43 +0000

I would love to be off the grid entirely. I always imagined starting without any electricity and down the road installing a personal system but in the area where we are hoping to buy land it is a legal requirement to have a standard sewage, in home water, and electricity. Any advice on how to live both simply and legally?

By: di

di — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:15:29 +0000

Great article! Quick and to the point on each subject. At some point, fuels will be depleted and the Earth will come clean…

By: nikki

nikki — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:24:50 +0000

it’s better to handle it (safely) then to drink it coming from your water supply

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By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:54:17 +0000

If you already are on wood, why go to oil? I would look at pellet stove feeder whcih you can use all the time but definiety overnight with no hassles except limited power for the auger feed. You will be light out overnight and probably can use a low voltage DC motor for the auger feed.

By: Cindi

Cindi — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:58:04 +0000

Great Article! – Gives everyone something to think about and an end goal to aim for.

I know that the route I took to get here was the “Tiny House route.” But having said that…. you don’t have to “downsize” to live off-grid.

I live in a 2000 sf house and am living off-grid. I have 6 solar panels that all together equal less than 1 KW – I have a bank of 20 6 volt batteries and I produce about 3 KWs of power on a normal day. Even on cloudy days I produce more than 1 KW.

I have made substantial changes in the household in general which allow me to run the house on just the solar panels.

I have an 18 Cubic ft refrigerator and a 21 cubic ft freezer that run on propane. this eliminates the bulk of my electrical consumption.

I don’t have any TVs’ currently hooked up which takes another big chunk of power out of the equation. I will in the future, have a projection TV installed and have essentially a 4 ft screen TV for the electrical cost of 1 75 – 100 watt light bulb. However I do have 1 – 4 laptop computers going in the evening along with the internet, so I don’t lack for entertainment!! LOL

Anything that produces heat eats an incredible amount of power so I have eliminated them. I.E. Microwave, Toaster, Iron, Blow dryer, coffee maker, ETC…….

The simplest thing to do is eliminate the incandescent light bulbs, All of my light are CFLs’.

The final step is the heating of the house. We removed our gas furnace with it’s attendant electrical brain, blower, and all the other bells and whistles and went with a wood stove. This works well in our super insulated house. The only downside would be that the fire needs to be tended in order to keep a constant temperature in the house so I am looking at an oil stove to keep the temperature all night. These heaters burn WVO or biodiesel oil and use no electricity!

Anyway the point is – you can live off-grid, comfortably, and in a fairly large space. You don’t have to give up EVERYTHING to go green.