As i understand the concept, you need to live in an isolated area, and be using wind and solar energy generating things/panels, etc.... What else? I guess you don't have to be isolated to use solar energy tho....
2007-06-06 03:09:06 · 8 answers · asked by insightfireiron 4 in Environment ➔ Green Living
Water? Ideally one would have access to their own water source , for drinking at least. I guess I too am not entirely ready to give up hot showers and flushing toilets...
2007-06-06 03:32:02 · update #1
this BP Solar neighbors project is aiming to make solar energy accessible to more people that might not be able to afford it otherwise:
http://www.solarneighbors.com/
2007-06-06 06:40:13 · update #2
of course it relies on a specific companies' solar energy products- not necessarily the best - and the media attention 'energy' that LA celebrities generate, and few communities can tap into That kind of ' power' source....( i would bold some words if i could....yahoo Answers? hello?)
2007-06-06 06:45:26 · update #3
Can't actually go totally off the grid but I do everything I can to reduce my usage. I have all energy star appliances and a mini water heater (it heats water that I am actively using rather than storing it so it is only using energy when I use hot water and I save water by not storing it). I am researching solar generators to supply power to outdoor units like the hot tub (needed for medical reasons) and exterior lighting over 3 years I have reduced my energy usage by 1/2 and I am always open to better ways to cut energy costs. So although I am not off the grid I am saving energy and money.
2007-06-06 04:56:09 · answer #1 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, unfortunately, even if you live in a rural enough area that can support not only solar panels on the roofs of all your buildings and windmills to process energy into electricity, you still cannot live "off the grid" at this time. neither wind nor solar energy technology is capable of producing 100% of the average home's electricity needs for light, heat, cooking etc...
you can potentially install solar panels anywhere in the US that has the appropriate facing roof, but some local governments and homeowner's associations actually ban the installation of solar panels (they don't think they are "pretty" i guess). If you are able to install the panels legally, you can produce about 10 - 20% of the electricity needed during daylight hours, which means that during the hottest times of the year (summer, with full on sunny days) you can at least offset that property's drain from the grid by 10 - 20%. in the long run this will reduce energy consumption, but for right now it is not going to be much cheaper for the average homeowner, since the panels themselves are currently beyond the financial means of most people.
2007-06-06 05:10:37 · answer #2 · answered by SmartAleck 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Off the grid doesn't have to be as painful as you make it sound. Yes, you have to watch your energy usage, and don't waste things like we all have a tendency to do. But off the grid doesn't mean that you have to live in a cave. You can still use a computer (laptop on battery power), lights, running water (rainwater collection cistern with a solar hot water heater) TV, phones (cell phones) , all the joys we have now. You just have to thinks of ways to do it better.
With the right equipment, you can actually be generating more power than you can use, even if you waste some. Then you can store it up and use it for emergencies or sell it back to the grid.
2007-06-06 04:09:22 · answer #3 · answered by novalunae 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use solar panels. Have my own water well. I do have a propane tank that I have to fill about once a year. The system is costly to set-up but now I no longer pay utility bills. As soon as I add more panels I will be able to remove the propane tank. I live in California and 1/2 half mile from the power grid. You don't have to be a hermit just unwilling to pay utilities.
2007-06-06 04:36:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. It is not financially viable for us. Too much money. Plus, most municipal governments require the links. You gotta pay a minimum usage fee, etc. I just try to minimize things. I use the new light bulbs and wash with cold water. I used to use ethanol based gasoline when I lived in South Dakota, but none of the stations around here in Oklahoma sell it. I just do little things as much as I can. But, I do think that it is kind of humorous to see these questions on an internet site. One needs a plastic filled computer using electricity and such to do this. LOL
2007-06-06 03:34:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have the concept down, you just need to be a hermit. I on the other hand am totally tied into the grid.
2007-06-06 03:18:24 · answer #6 · answered by en tu cabeza 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, it's like camping?
Plenty of folks use wood, propane, heating oil for heat - propane for appliances too.
I don't see what's so bad about paying for reliable energy though. Are you "off the grid" for water?
2007-06-06 03:28:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out this guy:
http://www.hopewellproject.org/index.html
He did it in NJ.
2007-06-06 04:14:08 · answer #8 · answered by joe s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋