A small but growing number of people are thinking of going off grid. The problem that some of the folks are dealing with is figuring out how to do so effectively and without sacrificing the life they’ve gotten used to. The following will help you go off grid with green tech and energy.
Energy-Efficient Options
As just mentioned, while the sun always shows up, the amount of energy you can get from it depends on certain factors. The amount of energy you can store up is also limited to the number of batteries you have. If you want to be off the grid, you need to find ways to use less energy throughout the day. One way to do this is to invest in energy-efficient products, like energy-efficient refrigerators, HVAC systems, or light fixtures. You’ll get to use these devices without draining your batteries as quickly as regular products will.
Energy-Slashing Products
Whenever possible, you should find ways to slash energy usage completely. You might not have considered this before, but there are many things you can replace in your home that don’t use energy. For example, there are hand crank blenders or manual meat grinders. You can invest in manual juicers or hand mortars where you can grind up your herbs or spices. You’ll be surprised how many products are out there that can help you live off the grid. Energy slashing products can help save energy.
Using Solar Energy
The first thing you want to do is install solar panels. This should help you stop depending on electric companies and the earth-shattering energy-producing tactics they use. One thing you’ll learn is that solar energy is finite. There are factors to consider, such as if it’s too cloudy. You’ll even learn how important lithium ion battery manufacturing and technology are if you want to be off the grid. The more batteries you have, the more energy can be stored and the more you can use throughout the day.
Home Energy-Cutting Changes
The next thing to consider are changes to your home to make it less energy dependent. There are several things you can do to accomplish this, like installing solar tubes. These tubes replace your light bulbs and use the sun to illuminate your home. They can illuminate those areas in your home where the sun doesn’t shine well. You will no longer need light bulbs, or maybe you’ll just turn them on at night. You can also improve your insulation to reduce the amount of heating and cooling your home needs. Insulation can be improved with eco-friendly windows, new insulating material, or by simply sealing up holes and cracks around the house.
Backups are Vital
Bad weather and winter months with less sun are things you have to take into account. Having enough batteries to soak up energy from the sun when it’s shining could help during those times the sun is helpful, but you still need to consider a backup. Those batteries might not be enough sometimes, but life still moves on. You need to continue to live, even if you’ve got no way to access natural energy. One reliable backup is to have a good generator. You might want one that uses propane, which is sometimes cheaper. Hopefully, you don’t have to use your backup often, but at least it’s there if you need it.
Natural Heating Solution
Heating a home can be costly in various ways. You won’t be able to avoid heating your place, especially if you live in a cold region of the country. Finding a solution for your heart is vital, and while it may seem impossible, it’s not. You could go for an energy-efficient heater or HVAC system, or you can go for something more natural, like a wood-burning stove. These could be small and can heat your place quite well. There are burning stoves that don’t use wood if you don’t want to use that; some options use corn or other materials. Look into your options, and choose the one that will work for you.
Conclusion
Going off the grid is not going to be easy, but you can see that it is possible. Go online and look for other folks who’ve gone off grid and read their stories. Maybe you’ll learn about other tips that could make your transition even easier.
