Living off the grid can be an awesome experience. The only thing that keeps you from enjoying this dream is the power company. However, there are ways round this, you can get power from solar or hydro energy & have a generator for a backup. What will you need in order to survive? Here are some ideas for living off the grid supplies.
The first step in going off the grid is to become debt-free. People who are in debt are often slaves to the power company. Instead of focusing on living off the grid, they should focus on paying off their debt and building up their savings. The first step to living off the grid is writing down your financial plan. Without proper planning, you will be left with no funds for food and supplies. And do not forget about the electricity and water, as they are not free.
Water is one of the most crucial resources for an off-grid lifestyle. But good water sources are not cheap and can take time to install. Besides, hauling water around can be a hassle, not to mention an expensive investment. Thus, you must plan your water usage before going off the grid. A guide to energy use is readily available online. But even if you can get these supplies on your own, it is not a bad idea to start small.
Another important thing to consider when going off-grid is your generator. A backup generator is a great way to avoid being left in the dark. You can use a portable generator to power your home. A generator uses fuel and will also run on reusable batteries. And do not forget about solar panels. Solar panels convert solar radiation directly into DC. This way, you can get as much as three hours of electricity from two hours of sunlight.
Depending on where you live, your life could be radically different from the average city. Some people live on a rural estate, away from the city. Others build homes that are off-the-grid. And while these homes are expensive to build, they use new technologies to capture solar energy and store it in batteries. Despite their cost, they use very little water for bathing and waste. Some are even built into the side of a mountain. Tops of these structures are used to grow food.
Depending on where you are living, a good quality fire extinguisher is a must-have for survival. Many off-grid homes do not have fire suppression systems, so a handheld bottle is the only defence in case of a fire. Make sure to research which type is best for your area and the type of equipment you have. There are many types to choose from, so it pays to do your research.
When living off the grid, you should be able to collect water from raindrops. This water is great for watering crops & even washing in but must be treated or boiled before drinking. You can collect water from your roof by harvesting rain or digging a well. You should also build a collection tank near your home. If you do not have a balcony, you can still grow edible plants indoors. You can also grow them on a balcony if you have enough space.
You really need to consider how you are going to live and balance things up as the list of living off the grid supplies could be endless. Start with the basics and then gradually build up as you see what is important to you and what you really need.