A term you will be hearing more and more, is ‘Off the Grid’. The fact that you have come to this site probably means that you are aware that the term refers to the increasingly common practice of people seeking to change their energy usage to focus on renewable energy sources, in particular sources that they can generate themselves. Hence going off the gird means independence from the energy companies and fossil fuels.

So what sort of people are looking to go ‘Off the Grid’? The answer is that it is an increasingly wide range of people who are embracing these principles. Whilst a few years ago people going off the grid ight have been seen as fairly radical or unusually, it is becoming far more mainstream nowadays.

There are normally two things these people are seeking. First they are looking to reduce their carbon footprint by using cleaner and greener renewable energy sources, rather than relying of the world’s rapidly reducing stock of fossil fuels. Secondly, those going off grid are fed up with the increasingly high price that they are being charged each month by the large energy companies. Once people learn how easy it is to create their own wind or solar power, then they jump at the opportunity to take the first steps off grid.

The technology for generating your own wind and solar power has been around for many years now. In recent years it has begun to be harnessed more efficiently by individual enthusiasts and hence if being taken out of the hands of the big corporations.  This fits perfectly with the spirit of those looking to live off the grid.

Click here to find out how you can easily and cheaply generate your own wind and solar power

For true off the grid enthusiasts, generating your own heat and power is only the first step in the process . The purist will be aiming to run their house totally independently of all public utilities. Hence they will also look to provide their own fresh water supply, sewage arrangements and even natural gas supplies. Whilst providing your own energy is by far the easiest piece of this process, it is possible to become independent for the other utilities as well.

Independent water supplies are possible for those living near lakes or rivers, or with access to a well or borehole. Care needs to be taken with filtration of course, but if this is handled correctly normal domestic use levels can be catered for. 

For those without access to their own water sources, there is still the option of rainwater harvesting, and recycling of water used for washing etc for non potable uses such as flushing toilets. These techniques can significantly reduce you need for main supply water, reducing bills if you are metered for your water, but definitely helping the environment.

Click Here to learn the skills to start taking your first steps off the grid