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Living ‘off the grid’ has become a popular catch-all phrase for a lifestyle that has as few connections to society as possible.  This can mean anything from not using the banking system to disconnecting one’s house from telephone and electrical utilities and becoming completely self-contained.  People who live off the grid do so either because they have grown tired of participating in a system they do not agree with, or because they relish the challenge of self-sustained living.

            The ‘grid’ as most people think of it is the national power and utilities grid.  This usually includes all electrical power, telephone services and communications utilities such as internet providers.  By disconnecting from the grid, people commit to either generating their own electricity or not using electricity altogether.  Self-generation can be accomplished in a variety of ways.  A portable generator running on diesel fuel or gasoline can be employed, but these devices are noisy and the fumes they produce are generally not in line with the environmental philosophies of those who choose to live in this manner.  Solar and wind energy are popular options that also have applications other than just creating electricity.  Solar panels can be mounted on poles or on the roof of a dwelling to both generate electricity and heat water.  The efficiency of these panels is increasing with each passing year, and for those who live in a sunny climate it is quite feasible to meet a household’s electrical needs by harnessing the power of the sun.  Wind turbines are also a good option for those who have the resources to mount towers that are at least 30 feet in the air in order to clear any potential wind-blocking obstructions.  Geothermal energy is also an option.  Using the temperature differential of water that is pumped into pipes set at least 6 feet into the earth, a heat pump can distribute warm or cool air through out a home.

            Living off the grid isn’t all about power generation, however.  An equally important component is energy conservation.  Since a large portion of the electricity consumed by a typical home is used for heating or cooling the dwelling, there are many steps that can be taken to ensure that a house is well insulated and capable of managing its internal temperature.  Installing new, energy efficient windows is a great way to keep drafts out of your home.  Special glass which polarizes automatically depending on the amount of light entering can help keep a home from getting too hot in the summer and also allow extra sunlight to enter during the winter time.  Using compact fluorescent light bulbs and other energy-saving appliances can also help to keep the load on your home generation system low.

            If you are able to build your home from scratch, it’s worth investigating the options available to you in terms of building a house with a passive heating and cooling system.  These homes calculate the impact of the immediate environment on the temperature of the home and incorporate materials intended to dissipate and trap heat depending on the season.  Through careful design, your home can be more than ready to disconnect from the grid and become entirely self-sufficient.

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