Wondering how to live off the grid? Check out our ultimate guide to help you prepare for life off the grid. Spoiler alert: batteries required
So you want to learn how to live off grid... boy, do we have the guide for you! Believe it or not, there's a lot of ways to live off the grid. From survivalism and doomsday prepping, to private islands and desert compounds, to digital nomads and crypto communes, to glamping and #vanlife, the term "off the grid" can mean a myriad of different things to different people.
It may surprise you to know that 1.7 billion people are currently estimated to live off-grid, although a significant portion of that likely comes from the 600-770 million people who simply live without electricity whatsoever. In the U.S., roughly 250,000 earned the title of officially "off grid" in 2022.
The modern off-grid lifestyle has its roots in 1970's New Mexico and its pioneer, Michael Reynolds. Reynolds designed homes out of tin cans and discarded steel, which he called "Earthships." These original designs have since been iterated upon over the following decades to incorporate solar power.
Going off the grid involves more than just "disconnecting" your power from public electricity networks. It requires comprehensive planning, encompassing aspects of food production, waste management, heating, healthcare, security, transport, and acquiring a broad knowledge base and a variety of supplies and tools necessary for this self-reliant lifestyle.
Below, we delve into what off-grid living entails, its various forms, and how you can initiate your off-grid journey with the right power source.
"Off the grid", or "off-grid", refers to a lifestyle (or state of being) of self-sufficiency where a person, building, or system operates independently without a reliance on public utilities. Utilities in the context of "off the grid" usually means those that supply electricity through a centralized grid network, but it can also extend to other centralized utilities like gas and water.
Off-grid living means living without a physical connection to the main electrical grid in your area. The perks of that are no bills from utility companies or retail electricity providers. Therefore, a hallmark of off-grid living is the ability to generate all your electricity to meet your own energy needs independently, usually through installing solar power systems, wind turbines, or other forms of power generators to gain complete energy autonomy.
In a broader sense, the off-grid lifestyle may also mean you don't use services like bank accounts or other public services, which could enable your activities to be monitored by the authorities. This is why when people say they or someone else is going "off the grid", it usually means not just physical disconnection from public utility networks, but a detachment from all societal tracking systems. However, when we refer to living "off grid" in this guide, we're broadly speaking about the concept of living energy independent; that is, without a connection to the larger electrical grid.
Living off-grid isn't without its problems. For instance, recent headlines told the tragic story of one family that moved to Colorado to live off-grid without properly preparing and wound up dead. As the sister of the deceased told The Colorado Gazette, they had no previous outdoors experience before embarking on their journey, and told no one else what they were planning to do.
This is why it's so important to prepare as much as you can before you deicide to live off-grid, and why you should read as many articles on the subject as you can. Off grid doesn't have to mean you live without any power whatsoever. As it turns out, only about 1% of those who live off the grid actually do so "naturalistically" according to the foremost cultural researcher on the topic.
This guide is meant to introduce you to the concept and share some potential ideas of what you can expect, but it is by no means meant to be your only resource. For a step by step guide to growing your own food, creating your own irrigation systems, or wiring your own power, you should probably look for in-depth resources on those particular topics.
First, the costs:
You can summarize the key elements of off grid living in these four steps:
But let's break that down more specifically:
Going off the grid has become an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for those seeking self-sufficiency, cost savings, and environmental stewardship.
Why people decide to live off-grid stems from the desire for a "serene escape" from the bustling urban life, and the opportunity to embrace a sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle.
However, the journey towards off-grid living isn't always a smooth one. It requires dedication, skill development, and a strategic accumulation of the right resources.
An essential aspect of living independently from modern utilities is a reliable power source of your own. This typically takes the form of solar panels with some form of battery storage system.
Individuals seeking self-sufficiency and a harmonious relationship with nature often choose off-grid living, focusing on generating their own power using solar, wind, or hydropower systems.
Living off the grid implies a complete or partial separation from these centralized services, instead relying on alternative, self-sustaining means to provide these necessities.
Off-grid living can offer increased independence and sustainability, a lower carbon footprint, and potential cost savings.
Transitioning from a conventional way of living to an off-grid lifestyle offers a chance to reconnect with fundamental aspects of life – freedom, nature, and community.
While it's often been associated with a greater connection to nature and a reduction in materialism, it's not a given. Although, off-grid living does involve making more conscious and sustainable choices about consumption out of necessity.
One effective solution to this requirement are solar generators. These devices comprise efficient solar panels and portable power stations, converting sunlight into electricity and enabling the powering of various appliances.
Adopting an off-grid lifestyle can foster independence and reduce reliance on public utilities. Here are a few different forms of off-grid living:
The escalating effects of global warming are pressuring more people into adopting the off-grid lifestyle as a means of environmental protection. In addition to minimizing environmental impacts, it also offers a solution to high utility bills. Here are a few more reasons to consider off-grid living.
Before delving into the specifics of how to live off the grid, it's important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of this lifestyle. Carefully weighing the pros and cons can assist you in making a calculated decision.
Check out this series on off-grid living from Eric Mack at CNET. Mack details his first-hand experience as a family that transitioned to an off-grid lifestyle during the pandemic and detailed the pros and cons across a series of articles. Prompted by the frustrations of pandemic lockdown, Eric and his wife decided to transition to an off-grid lifestyle. They aimed to reduce living expenses by eliminating rent and utility bills through moving to an "off grid" location. So they purchased a small, unfinished house located in an off-grid community outside their town. Let's look at Mack's experience as a case study.
The family adopted a minimalist approach, residing in a home under 1,000 square feet with a 1.23 kilowatts-rated solar array. The house had a unique architectural style inspired by Earthships, but lacked crucial infrastructure like solar systems, electrical wiring, or plumbing. Eric decided to take on these tasks himself, using his past DIY experience and leveraging online resources like YouTube and consultation with knowledgeable friends and relatives.
Mack said that the cost savings from the components he used equated to the price of the property itself within three years. However, the transition came with its fair share of unexpected expenses and big purchases.
Mack's water supply was handled through rain catchment systems. Taking control of their water supply necessitated big purchases, including two 1,600-gallon plastic tanks for water storage, a waterless compost toilet, and an on-demand hot water heater. They used a community well and delivery by tanker trucks during dry spells. To conserve water, they swapped a flushing toilet for a compost toilet and an outhouse, and reused gray water for gardening and irrigation.
The implementation of off-grid electrical and plumbing systems primarily took place during COVID lockdowns. The process involved consulting professional installers, experienced handy people, and online forum discussions. The cost variance, especially for installing a new solar system, was significant with estimates ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. Eventually, a local solar industry expert guided the setup of a system costing between $3,000 and $4,000, enough to meet most of their needs.
Among the retained or newly added "luxuries" were a modest-size flat screen TV, a conventional washing machine, and a wood pellet stove for heat. Mack said this was an unusual choice in their off-grid community where propane or simple wood stoves are common.
Extra storage space, which often goes overlooked, was another significant expense, especially in remote locations. An outdoor shed was one of their earliest projects. And off-grid living typically requires more than a conventional vehicle to transport supplies. In their case, a truck or trailer was needed to haul building supplies, water, wood pellets, and more, increasing fuel expenses.
The single largest expense for Mack and his family? The cost of repairing a long dirt driveway that turned into a mud bog during monsoon season.
Mack's reliance on solar power for electricity opened his eyes to how basic geometry could impact the energy collected. The magic of solar power - deriving energy directly from the sun - is underscored by the need to grapple with the Earth's axial tilt and the varying amounts of sunlight it brings throughout the year.
He also found that living off the grid made him acutely aware of the difference in daylight hours between seasons. Per Mack's analysis, there is a daily energy deficit of over 10 hours between summer and winter solstice for most people living in the US.
Mack originally set the angle of his panels to split the difference between summer and winter solstice. but soon optimized the angle to maximize power with solar panel upgrades, such as installing an adjustable racking system to optimize sunlight capture during different seasons.
Mack came to understand that winter not only brought less sunlight and thus less electricity, but also an increased demand for energy. With people indoors more due to the cold, there is increased use of lights, screens, heaters, and more. Additionally, the performance of batteries stored outdoors can degrade in cold weather. The energy demands are further compounded by occasional multiday snowstorms that cover the panels and block out the sun.
Mack's experiences highlighted the importance of having a backup energy source, in their case, a generator running on gasoline or propane. To mitigate reliance on the generator, he suggests installing more panels and/or battery capacity to maximize the use of sunny days.
To power the initial solar energy system, Mack used a pair of six-volt golf cart batteries wired in series to create a 12-volt system, connected to an inverter that managed the wattage from the solar panels and a 4-kilowatt backup generator. The system was small compared to modern energy consumption standards, so the family disposed of energy-intensive appliances like high-powered vacuum cleaners, clothes dryers, and Instapots.
To Mack, ensuring all electrical gadgets functioned as if they were on the grid was of utmost importance, which meant he would eventually need to install high-quality batteries, inverters, charge controllers, breakers, and wires (as cheap inverters often result in damaged appliances).
His initial choice of flooded lead acid golf cart batteries, which require significant maintenance, was eventually replaced by safer, lower-maintenance, longer-lasting, and costlier lithium batteries. Ultimately, Eric Mack decided to invest in a set of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP for short) batteries, which replaced the lead acid batteries with new lithium units that Mack cited as costing 3x as much but are designed to last 2-3x as long.
These are different from the lithium-ion batteries you'd find in a smartphone or an electric vehicle. They can't pack quite as much energy into the same space, but they're safer, more stable and handle harsh conditions better. These batteries require less maintenance, can be drawn down to almost zero without causing damage (unlike lead acid ones), and don't need to be kept in a well-ventilated area, all of which make them more suitable for off-grid living.
In fact, lithium batteries can cost up to 5x more than lead-acid batteries per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of storage. To Mack's point, under the right conditions, LFP batteries can last for more than a decade, which explains one analysis that found LFP batteries to be 2.8x cheaper when comparing the cost per stored and supplied kWh (in that the initial cost is offset by the fact that you may not need to replace them for 10-15 years).
After Mack installed the LFP batteries, he noticed a significant improvement in his energy supply. He could use electricity more freely without having to worry about running the generator or damaging the batteries. His house felt more like a 'normal' house, just one that happened to be off the grid.
Battery technology was the key to his independence. It allowed him to live comfortably off-grid, with a reliable source of electricity that he could control. He came to understand electricity in a new light, notably likening it to water in its behavior, flowing across the path of least resistance and filling reservoirs with energy.
Mack soon realized that living off grid wasn't just about survival, it was about learning to value resources, understanding how systems work, and appreciating the role that energy plays in his daily lives. Here are some key points from his story:
In summary: building DIY skills, savvy resource management, social networking, and smart research is what's required for a successful transition to live off the grid.
Living off the grid is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires significant planning, financial investment, and a shift in lifestyle. It seems that the benefits for those who embrace off-grid living, such as increased independence, reduced environmental impact, and a deeper connection with nature, can often outweigh the challenges (as long as you're prepared).
Whether you want freedom from utility bills, independence from local governments, a lower carbon footprint, or simply a more meaningful connection with the natural world, off-grid living can be an empowering and fulfilling choice.
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