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Wilbour
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 11:45
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I met up with a high school pal I haven't seen in years. We were talking about our present interests and I mentioned my little cabin and how I was thinking of building a small home on the lot that was off the grid.
He scoffed at the off the grid idea stating that most people think they are doing it for green reasons but when you factor in all the other carbon emission choices like having to drive farther each day, they effetely negate all the gains.
I had to respond that going off the grid forces us to re-evaluate our energy use and live with less. And as most of us have found when we live with less, we have more full lives.
It also plays well into self reliance. Who does not remember the black out in August of 2003? While I am not an anarchist I do believe in taking care of one's self.
If we are given the ability to live independently why would we choose to tie ourselves into a system of reliance 100% of the time? When I was a kid I took pride in doing something all by my self. That has not changed.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 16:20
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nice one.
Yer pals first error of logic is saying we do it for green reasons. pah. we do it to have a more wonderful life. Fresh food. Clean air. Easy livin'. Quiet nights. Nature moments. (I'd better stop.)
We have a bit of a heat wave on here right now. So I teased the lady (who I know) at the grocery store, "yup," I said, "I'm heading home now (pause) to lounge in the hammock." She offered not to knock me upside the head.
That's the real reason we live off grid in small cabins. Independence. Freedom. Good times. Great food. um. better stop again.
The fact that we save the planet (act local, think global) in our small way. It's not just a bonus. But it is a bonus.
***
You still hear all kinds of erroneous "facts." Someone told me the other day that I would never get back the energy that went into making my solar panels. Not true. Now some panels are paying off in as little as 3 months. Mine, made 7 years ago, were still mass manufactured. 3-5 years was the pay back energy wise even then. I suspect mine will take 10 or 12 years. Living off grid you don't get the full pay back immediately.
If you'ze all remember. A few years back (3) I looked at my solar controller data and saw I could have used/made 800kw and had only used 250kw. So I bought an electric fridge.
That knowledge/change has since saved over 800 lbs of propane (that's right. Hard to believe. but even an 8 cu.ft. propane fridge uses 1.25 lbs of propane a day. multiple by 365. multiple by years). And that's just me. Quite a few folks here have gone to electric fridges (not cause of me cough cough. but because x=$ saved no matter who'z lookin' at it). Then let's remember that all gas powered energy sources (propane fridges, water pumps, gennies) have a cost too. And then think of the "off loaded" CO2 cost.
I just smile. Nod my head. And think. You poor deluded fool. (aka nincompoop)
But bless them. Their taxes mean we get the good life. Mwhahahahaha.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 17:06
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I guess my motivation was to see how low my energy consumption could go without negatively impacting my quality of life.
What it has taught me in the end is in order to accomplish this I need to also change the way I do things as well.
Together with the rapidly changing technologies, my energy use goals continue to decline because of more efficient products and my constantly finding different ways of doing things and striving to constantly improve, so it's never dull and I can't come up with a single regret.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 17:12
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Quoting: Wilbour I had to respond that going off the grid forces us to re-evaluate our energy use and live with less.
I just want to say that one does not have to live in the country to evaluate and reduce their energy use. No reason you can not do that in town.
I am happy that not everyone chooses to live in the country. That leaves more open spaces for others. From that point of view we should encourage people to live in cities. Rural population has been shrinking by a small amount according to the US census.
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ChuckDynasty
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 17:54
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Brknarow
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 18:05
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I plan on going 'off grid' out of spite. I don't mind paying taxes really; I understand they're necessary for some things. I don't like paying up to or over $20/month in fees for each utility just for the privilege of paying them money. This is the entire driving force to my self sustainable goals.
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Coastal
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2015 20:44
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My choice was based on simple math... The amount of land I want, in the area I want, for the price I want to pay means it will be unserviced land. Green hippy stuff is at the bottom of the list of reasons I am 100 percent off grid.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 00:40
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Well, let's see, let's see....I can only relate to being off grid here in the sticks.
Economy;
Avg'd $187 for a month of elect at the house
A bit over $1100 for house pmnt (tax/ins/sewer/water incl)
$130 for phone, web and television (no, we didn't have HBO or any premium stuff)
$400 for food (not counting goodie runs at midnight)
That's over $1800/mo
Only been here at the cabin for 4 months...summer months, but;
Genny (gas), ice and propane a shade under $200
House pmnt $0 (taxes are laughable)
Phone and web (off grid jet pack) $246
Food under $300 (midnight goodie run is to the other cabin for PB&J)
Gas to get back and forth to town (once a week) $120
That's around $900
Oh; peeing outside at 2am and looking up at the holes in the sky while scratching my hind end ...priceless.
Physical;
Are you freakin' kidding??!!
Folks pay good money to join health clubs to run in place like gargantuan rodents while I just chop a little wood and drop weight like mad.
The air...the water....the wild life....the quietude....gives one a steadier heart, a relaxed mind, a ready and able sphincter...
Spiritual;
No man, woman or child, with a beating heart, could question whether or not there is a God when living out here.
Mental;
It's been the greatest challenge, the grandest test of my reasoning powers I've ever faced.
And the most satisfying.
Being off grid somehow gives me the feeling of control, of empowerment.
Oh I s'pose I could've monitored the meter when hooked up to elect, but man, one just doesn't...it's too easy to flick a switch, to crank up the heat, to bake a goody.
Off grid, be it genny and/or solar, one is ever mindful of consumption.
Sorry for lumping off grid with cabin living, but it's all I've got to reference.....aaand it's become my religion.
Next year, after building all this needful stuff, and the technology becomes a bit more settled, I'm going solar...full bore.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 02:13
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Gary_O
That is one of the most inspiring posts I have ever read. And that is what I get out of my place also. I love pioneer living.
Thanks for that post!
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 03:13
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Quoting: DaveBell Thanks for that post!
Thank you, sir
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 06:37
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Another vote for Gary's list... Definitely +1
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Wilbour
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 07:04
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Freedom can be described by:
Quoting: Gary O Oh; peeing outside at 2am and looking up at the holes in the sky while scratching my hind end ...priceless.
Normally I would say words could not describe that experience but Gary O nailed it.
A word of warning is not to leave your wife's chair folded next to the front door. 
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 12:52
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Another good one, Gary O !
We're off-grid because we can't be on-grid, and I'm thankful that's how it turned out! If the place we chose to build had had utilities available I suppose we would have just gone along and never thought much about disconnecting from the grid. But now I am happy to lug in 100 lb propane tanks, have a well, septic and am installing solar in bits and pieces as I can afford to, and will end up with all the comforts of home (if we want, no TV etc.. allowed at least for now)
I get an immense sense of freedom/responsibility from managing my own energy demands and needs. And being self sufficient is a neat bonus - how many people in developed countries are truly self sufficient anymore?
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