March 10, 2020
March 08, 2020
March 07, 2020
March 06, 2020
March 03, 2020
March 28, 2020
While searching for my own off grid property, I wondered how big a lot I really needed to be self sufficient. So, I went about finding reliable information on how much land a family really needs. And, he answer may surprise you.
March 21, 2020
One question that I often hear from people getting started with off grid solar is, “How many panels do I need?” While there is no universal answer, here are some common sizes, and the easy way to figure out exactly how many panel you need.
March 14, 2020
If you are like me, the cost of new septic was too high, and you weren’t sure if one would work way out on your property anyway. That’s why I went out and found the best off grid toilets for remote cabins or eco-friendly homesteads.
Getting started generating free solar power is really not as hard as it seems. In the last 5 years, I have learned the key concepts of building a low-cost off grid solar system. Now I’ve written everything down right here. Just everything you need to know without the fluff.
Like me you might have wondered, do I really need to pay out for an expensive deep well when I have so much water on my property? I have spent time researching the best low cost water yet reliable filtration systems for my off grid homestead, and this is what I have found.
If you are like me, you may be a little intimidated by the prospect of shopping for and buying land. Unlike traditional homes, there isn’t much help out there for people hoping to buy rural off grid land. After my two years long search for my own land, let me help you through this by sharing what I have learned through the process.
There are a lot of recommendations out there about how to keep deer out of the garden, but I find that many of them don’t really work. Or they work for a while before the deer wise up. These are the methods that I found work and work for good.
While building up my own off grid homestead, I wondered if off grid micro-hydro might be a good match for my needs. With more consistent power generation and less visibility, micro hydro can be a good power source. Let me share what I’ve found with you.
For many people, the quickest and simplest way to move on to their own plot of land is to live in an RV or motor home. In my own off grid journey I’ve researched this path extensively. And, since many people are confused it they can legally live in an RV at all, I’ve decided to share what I’ve found.
If you are anything like me, you have fallen in love with yurts at first site, and have to have one. But, how much do these portable structures really cost. Let me break down what I’ve found for the true cost of buying and owning a yurt.
Once the dread of mother’s Mondays across the world, many people wonder if going off grid means you need to return to the world of the washerwoman’s drudgery. Luckily, there are many modern and classic methods for washing clothes without electricity or even running water that make laundry on the modern homestead a breeze.
People who considering living off grid are often concerned that it may not be legal to live the lifestyle that they want. While generally increasing in popularity, going against the grain by living off grid can be a bit unnerving when you get started. However, with a few common sense practices and a some basic knowledge you should be alright.
With so much interest from many different places, many people are asking what does it really mean to be off grid or count oneself as an “off-gridder”. Although some people might tell you there is no true Scotsman when it comes to authentic homesteading, in reality there are many types of authentic “off-gridders” and room for many more.
One big mistake people commonly make when design and setting up their own off grid or on grid solar system is to not take in to account proper panel angle. It may seem simple at first glance, but facing your panels at the wrong tilt can cost you a lot in lost power if you aren’t careful.
The first thought that many conversation minded individuals have after taking a shower is often, “how can I reuse all that water?” Using ‘grey water’ like bath water to irrigate your garden may be a good alternative, if you know the right shampoos to use that won’t hurt your plants.
Shade is the enemy of solar panels, but common in lush green homesteads and farmsteads of the off grid community. Even small amounts can destroy power output of solar systems. Let me walk you through what shade does to your solar system.
Nickel iron batteries are a century old technology that has profound potential impact for off grid energy systems. The weakest point of renewable energy production, batteries systems are typically expensive, fragile, toxic, and fail relatively quickly. Iron batteries, however, once the darling of famous inventor Thomas Edison, solve many of these problems and seem to be prefect for off grid energy systems.
Although there are a number of option for low power consumption refrigeration technologies when going off grid, there are none that tick all the boxes of a low cost, sustainable solution. In this articles I’ll introduce my DIY ultra efficient refrigerator / freezer design.
Leaving your old range behind can seem like an adventure to some. But, when it comes to sustainable, low cost, off grid cooking options, there is a wide variety of tasty and fun options that will make you wonder why you ever cooked with electric at all.
Until now, advancement in the human race has been largely a haphazard collection of minor improvements, leading to ever increasing knowledge fragmentation and specialization. All of our technology, laws, and customs have become so complex that it is difficult for any to understand more than just a tiny fragment of what is going on.
To the uninitiated, there can be a bewildering amount of terminology surrounding electricity and electronics. Below I’m going to give a simple description of the most basic terms you need to know to understand and set up your off grid electrical system.
From the outset, it may seem that Off Grid or Permaculture is a regressive ideology, seeking out the past rather than the future. In reality, history teaches us that the methodologies of the “homesteader” or the only way to ensure that technology persists and grows in to the future. Lets take a walk though the past and dream of an amazing “off grid” future.
To some the idea of becoming self-sufficient seems silly, or even overly paranoid. But, only a bit of tentative research in to the topic shows that developing the ability to live without the grid is a prudent move. The expectation that our age of abundance can last indefinitely has been repeatedly proved foolish in the annals of history. But, beyond even that, the tonic of self-reliance and personal responsibility holds the promise of even greater years to come.
If you are at all serious about living off grid, you need this book. It contains everything on this site and more, but condensed in an easy to use reference. You can't afford to make the mistakes that reading this book will save you from.
I created this site to help everyone achieve their dream of living off grid, building their own home, growing their own food, and living debt free.
March 28, 2020
March 21, 2020
March 14, 2020
March 10, 2020
March 08, 2020
March 07, 2020
March 06, 2020
March 03, 2020
March 02, 2020
March 01, 2020
Beginners