Getting off the Grid

The pros and cons of getting off the grid. Electric costs are rising and there’s not much end in sight. This is causing many who have been considering the future of energy, as well as those who haven’t, to take more steps in getting off the grid and producing their own power. There are many benefits to this thinking and drawbacks as well.

A family that’s going off the grid must first consider how they will generate energy. Several options must be considered, and which one works for you will depend on your energy needs, and your location. To truly disconnect from the grid may require more than one technology and battery storage for excess energy.

Choosing a Technology

Solar energy may be a great option for some but for those who live in areas with short hours of sunlight, and have many cloudy days, this form of energy will not be the most efficient. The same is true for wind energy. If you live in areas with high winds, this is a great backup resource but may not always be reliable. Hydroelectric will only work for those who live near fast flowing rivers or the ocean, and geothermal energy via a heat pump will generate heat, AC and hot water and is useful anywhere in the world, but it doesn't produce electricity.

Aside from choosing the methods of power you will use, you must also ensure that your appliances use the least amount of energy possible. Energy Star appliances have long been touted for their energy saving capabilities. This may not seem important now but going off the grid will make it very relevant. Consider a comprehensive home energy audit as your first step.

Life Changing

Your whole way of life is likely to be changed by living only on the power you can generate for yourself. Your supply of power depends solely on your system and your battery backup. It will take some getting used to. You will be monitoring output of your systems and you may have to adjust from using all appliances at once. Such as running the dishwasher, washer and dryer and other appliance simultaneously. It may be the best change in your life. An unexpected comment from those living off the grid, it's very quiet and it's a more simple life.

Many people will find the cost of getting off the grid high, initially. If you’re already attached to the local electric company, this may be an extra cost to bear. Fortunately, your movement off the grid can be in affordable stages versus all at once. However, if you are moving farther from the grid, and will have to pay to extend power lines to your home, installing alternative energy power sources may actually cost less.

Once off the grid, you will never see a utility bill and your savings will offset your investment. There is also the added benefit of having power even when the utility companies are experiencing outages. While your neighbors are sitting in the dark, with no heat or air conditioning, you’ll be tucked cozily into your fully powered house and feeling very good about your decision to generate your own power.

Getting off the grid is more likely in the future as energy costs rise, power outages and rolling blackouts increase and alternative energy costs decrease. New technologies are being developed at accelerated rates and added tax incentives and rebates are making this a more affordable option.

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