3 Ways You Can Take Your Home Off the Grid

Many people across the world share the dream of living off the grid, and this desire springs from many sources. For some, it's the idea that a person's home is their castle; they want the solitude and the separation from the mad rush of civilization that comes with breaking free of public infrastructure. For others it's a point of personal pride. They enjoy the idea of being self-sufficient and independent of reliance on others for their basic needs. Yet other people do it out of a sense of personal responsibility. Making your home sustainable and independent means that you're not burdening others. You're taking care of your own little corner of the world. Here are three basic first steps to making your home self-sufficient.

Utilize Renewable Energy

Possibly the most important first step in living off the grid is finding a secure source of energy. In fact, what most people mean when they say "living off the grid" is that they want to be energy independent. Our way of life is shockingly energy-intensive. In 2019, the average per capita energy use in the United States was 305 million British thermal units. Gas generators are fine for emergencies, but the fact remains that fuel is expensive and once it's gone, it's gone. The solution is to have some some sort of no-fuel power source on your property. There are a multitude of options such as windmills and geothermal power sources, however one of the most robust and versatile sources of renewable power is the solar cell. Solar is becoming more efficient and less costly all the time, and is easily installed on most homes. Don't forget to acquire a long-lasting solar panel battery as well to store up a surplus of power for the times when the sun isn't shining.

Find Your Own Water Supply

Another crucial element for independence is a local water supply. Automated drills can dig down through the bedrock to the underground aquifers which exist right beneath our feet. Digging a well costs an average of $5,000 for a 150 foot drilling project and isn't an option for all homes, but once it and the required pumps are installed, your home will have a secure source of water for as long as you need it. Make sure to test the water before drinking it. Just because the water has been filtered through the earth doesn't mean that it's free from biological contaminants. It's especially smart to test your water before bringing a new baby into the home.

Grow Your Own Food

Food is only slightly less critical than water for living off the grid. Grocery stores are everywhere, and America produces an abundance of food after all. It's food security that most concerns homesteaders and other freedom seekers. The most ambitious path to a personal food supply is to start a farm of your own. The downside to this is, of course, the cost of land and supplies needed to get the operation going. However, if you're successful, you might end up with a surplus of the necessities of life. A less intensive approach is to start small with a vegetable garden. During the Second World War, so-called "Victory Gardens" were actually encouraged by the government as a way of supplementing the supply of fruits and vegetables which, due to war rationing and supply shortages, might not be available on a regular basis. That kind of common sense definitely stands the test of time.

Whatever the motivation behind your choice to say goodbye to the grid, sustainable energy technologies like solar panels are making it easier than ever to detach. We hear all the time that we live in a networked society. The fact that you're reading this on the Internet is a case in point. Ideally, though, technology should help to empower the individual and make their life more comfortable and productive. If more self-sufficiency will help you to accomplish that goal, the tools for gaining that freedom are right at your fingertips.