10 Things You Only Know Once You’ve Lived without Electricity

For most people, imagining a life without electricity is nearly impossible.

How are you supposed to cook your food?

How do you entertain yourself without TV?

And what about those basic needs we constantly overlook – like lighting and our washing machines?

Living without electricity is so scary that most won’t even consider going a day or two without it.

But there is also a revolution happening.

An off-grid revolution.

Thousands of people are saying goodbye to modern conveniences and disconnecting themselves from the power companies. Here are some of the main lessons people who’ve lived without electricity will know.

1. Living without electricity isn’t as hard as you’d think

Before Benjamin Franklin figured out electricity, we all lived without it. Nearly 250 thousand Amish people live without electricity today, not to mention the thousands of people in developing countries.

Yes, some things are more difficult without electricity. But not having electricity also simplifies a lot of things too.

After an initial adjustment period,  you probably won’t even miss electricity that much.

2. No TV means you have time to relax

Most of us use TV as a way of relaxing. It’s funny how I never feel relaxed after sitting on the couch for hours watching TV!

At first, it was a bit strange not to have TV (or radio, internet, etc.) to occupy my time when I first went without electricity, but I soon started enjoying the downtime.

It’s nice to sit around doing nothing but listening to the crickets and watching the stars.

3. When summer hits, you’ll wish you were nomadic

No electricity meant no fans or air conditioning. Surprisingly, this is one of the hardest things for most people who choose to live without electricity during summer. I have trouble sleeping during sweltering summer nights.

I later realized that taking a cold shower before bed helped. During the day, I would soak my feet in a bucket of water to help cool down if I wasn’t doing chores.

Even with these solutions, I still wished I could go somewhere cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

No wonder why so many of our ancestors were nomadic!

Read about some off grid air conditioning options.

4. Chores need to be done on time

Cooking dinner with candlelight isn’t much fun. After doing this a few times, you learn to adjust your schedule to use daylight.

Other things fall into place as well. It is nice to have nature keeping your schedule instead of the “man” and its pre-decided 9-5 schedule.

5. There is absolutely no need for a gym membership

One of the oddities of modern life is that people have to go to the gym to exercise. Our great-parents didn’t have to make a point of exercising.

They got exercise in their everyday life instead!

Recommended Reading: 23 survival skills that our great grandparents knew

Without electricity, you’ll find that you’ve got to do a lot of tasks manually. And I won’t lie: some of these tasks are strenuous.

  • After washing clothes by hand (I use the bucket washing machine method), my biceps got awesome.
  • Carrying wood beats any deadlifts or squats.
  • My body got leaner from walking to see friends instead of calling them…

The cool thing is that they stop feeling so strenuous after a while. Soon, you get in shape, and “exercise” becomes just everyday life.

6. Slow food tastes better

It takes a while to stoke a wood stove for cooking. Baking in a solar oven is also an exercise in patience.

Not to mention all the prep for getting the meals ready when you don’t have an electric food processor to do the work for you.

For those of us in what I like to call the “microwave generation,” waiting for things is annoying and frustrating. But good things come to those who wait!

You’ll enjoy food better because you didn’t get it instantly.

Recommended Reading: How to Choose a Food Dehydrator

7. You’ll learn the value of a COLD beer

Sure, there are ways to refrigerate things without electricity – but they don’t do as good of a job as a refrigerator.

I enjoy a good beer and found myself wishing for a cold one instead of the lukewarm ones I was drinking.

8. Challenges bring forth intelligence

You can’t come up with a solution until you have a problem. Well, living without electricity presents a lot of issues at first.

  • How are you supposed to mount those candles you got?
  • How do you make a wringer for your washed clothes?
  • How do you haul a huge load of wood most efficiently?

People who live without electricity will agree that you use your brain more than you would in everyday life to find creative solutions to daily challenges.

9. Your family members are nice, interesting people!

Without the distraction of TV, the internet, and dozens of gadgets, you’ll suddenly find yourself TALKING to your family members!

Yes, yes. I know that this is unheard of in today’s modern world. 😉

It is amazing what even a few hours in the darkness every evening can do for family bonding.

10. Don’t waste anything.

Take away one luxury, and you start cherishing the others, too. I was surprised how much I became a conservation nut after our first stint without electricity.

We still had running water, but suddenly, I didn’t want to waste a drop, so I rigged up a greywater recycling system.

Recommended Reading: Long term emergency water storage

The same went for food and random supplies we’d normally toss.

It all concerns the off-grid lifestyle, which is one of frugality, self-sufficiency, and learning to appreciate what you have.

Would I personally choose to live without electricity forever?

No. I like my cold beer too much and enjoy communicating with people online and getting new info and ideas.

But I’d say that living without electricity, even for a little while, can be a life-altering experience you won’t regret.

So try it for a few days; you’ll probably want to do it again throughout the year.


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  1. I’m writing this comment on a piece of paper…my daughter will ultimately post it online.
    She prints out various things she thinks I might like to read as I do not have a computer, smart phone or electricity.
    I find that electricity is out of control as is the use of smart phones. I do have a SAT phone that I hook up to a small power brick that solar charges up for me. I also have solar hooked into a radio I have for AM/FM stations.
    Smart phones have ruined society, or should I say *the abuse* of smart phones has ruined society. I left society four years ago as I realized it is not the place to be for anyone.
    There is no benefit to living in modern society except for healthcare. But even with that I figure if you’re not living healthy and you’re not happy, you probably shouldn’t be alive, anyhow.
    I came out here to the forest and built a small cabin with the trees I harvested from the same land. No power tools required.
    I’m 56 now and have absolutely no use for modern society. It has crumbled to the point of being nothing but dangerous and ugly. What’s incredible about my stance is I used to be a techno-guru…I always knew about the latest thing and love love loved having something brand new in my hand. There’s nothing better than opening up a brand new MacBook…try and tell me that still isn’t exciting. : )
    I have a couple of dogs and two horses to keep me company. I’m in the mountains of Oregon and have my own greenhouse, bees and potato farm. If you can call it that. I don’t sell anything, I trade it. Usually for things my horses need.
    When I go to a place that has electricity, I can feel it. And it does not feel good. I’m a trail runner, poet and woodworker…and nature is my home. There is too much of everything…too many lights, too much electricity, because there are too many people.
    Look around yourself right now…are you really all that happy?

    Anyhow…whatever delusion you’re living under, I hope this finds you well.

    Reply
  2. The one thing about going off grid is you must plan
    Whether retired or still working, it’s the same ball game
    Since the 90’s , all the Grid products have become a total 100% greed business. Many modern homes are ”Grid” friendly
    So when buying a place to live, consider what’s going to be available in a 100% war footing? No power, no gas, no water, even no toilet!!!
    To survive you’ll need water tanks or a bore if you are living above an aquifer, find out?, A small Gen Set (100% luxury item) is very handy!!
    Small PV system and Lead acid deep cycle batteries (note – not a car battery!!)
    Usually food will be trucked in to feed the starving masses but don’t count on it. Times like now, get some basics sorted.
    You can even survive on a diet of spuds, cabbage, carrots, onions and peas or beans for years You can easily grow these on less than 50 sq mtrs of primed nurtured land. If you have some land don’t waste it
    Plant food trees. Lemons, figs, grapes, passionfruit, mullberries etc
    Got Xtra? Trade with your fellow man, all life was once a barter!!
    Learn how to fix things!! Get some basic tools, recharge ons if you must. My plan is to go 100% of the Grid when I retire. I have already flicked the TV. A good size marine battery will power LED string lights overnight easy. Rejuice the battery using you PV kit.
    Don’t waste water using showers and baths. Heat small amounts of water and sponge wash. A gallon is plenty to wash you whole body
    Brush your teeth using 1 cup of water. Dry your washing under a patio. Even in winter washing will dry on any sunny day.
    A wood stove will cook your meals and also warm your house in any winter!! In summer eat salads and cook outdoors tribal style
    Plan Plan Plan, B4 long, it will all become natural.

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  3. Forgot to say that if there is One thing that recent times taught us is that Prepping should be a normal thing. No one knows what is coming down the road at us, so having extras of supplies and gear is a GOOD IDEA.
    Just look at all the people out hunting for TP! By that time, I had gone to family cloth [still use them].

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  4. As a child, my family of 6 went camping. For vacation and every weekend, my Dad had off. I loved it, especially because my Dad was the cook. We were tent camping for many years then a tent trailer [my Mom originally made fun of those “You go camping to get out of the house then some bring the house with them.”] As my folks got older, we went to easier camping – first the folding tent trailer, then a regular trailer.
    We lived in Massachusetts. Winters brought many storms, but we didn’t worry: the camping gear was brought up, the fireplace used and we all stayed in the living room.
    We were ALL much calmer during those times [except when I was being a bitch – gladly outgrew that].
    I really miss those times. No money, no transport these days. It has been several decades [I’m 73] since I went camping. I long for it at times.

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    • I grew up as a little kid in the 70s.We did the same, camping with a pop- up camper and tent.I love those memories.We would cook by the fire and look at the stars at night.Also tell each other stories and play games. I have to say that since my dad rew up on a farm, he new what it was like to have no TV. And for a while he had an out house for a bathroom.Also used oil lamps and candles to get around at night.We grew up doing that while camping..or if the weather got bad and no electricity. I cherish those memories and have taught them to my son. I will say as a young child growing up, I saw the TV as something for to check the evening news and maybe once or twice a week we would watch a show& that was it. It’s crazy how times have change.Many people live on there Wifi/cell phones/laptops. It’s like y’all are being programed…It’s sad…go…outside….and Live! I really am concerned for those who grew up with all this technology…What will they do when the lights go out…Heck would our leaders even know what to do…Be with your family and friends…build a community where you can share life and your talents…That is what life is about.

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  5. I am not using electricity at home for one year now. It’s very convenient and super easy if you live in the city as I do.i charge my phone and work on my laptop from.coffee shops in the area. At home it’s great peace, you eat nicely without the fridge, more simple and nutritious food,also you adapt your body to daylight.its awesome.i got used to it in only three days. Don’t want to go back but I’m in the city.

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  6. Several years ago, I lived alone (50yr female) for 6 months with only fire and water (California mountains, in a rural neighborhood of a smallish town, on a dirt road). It was a rental; power was turned off for financial reasons; no gas or propane to the property; on septic tank – a lovely though rundown home of about 1800 sq ft.; large lot on a hill with a separate wood-lot below. I lived there from July-December; we do get snow, in fact the first snow that year was at Thanksgiving. My saving grace was a very efficient, newer wood-stove on a brick base and backdrop to the ceiling. Lighting was the fire, oil lamps, candles, solar yard stake bases. Showers in the warm months were from the hose; cold months I heated water in a large ceramic pot on the stove, then filled up a 13 gallon trash can kept in the shower, using a small bucket or large BigGulp cup to dump over me. Clothes were washed in the same way, then hand wrung, then rolled up in sheets or towels to absorb the excess water, then hung to dry either outside or by the fire. Heat was of course, the fire. Side note- I also had no car, and walked/ hitched/ Razor scootered down the hill to town (3miles or so) every day to and from work- supplies had to be carried in my backpack, and thus were bought every day. My only “cheat” was that the property owners also owned a cabin next door (200 yards away across a ridgeline path) which was under renovation, and I would sometimes sneak over to the unlocked laundry room to charge my phone or cook on a presto sandwich maker (“sneak” because they didn’t know I had no power, would have not approved or let me use the next-door cabin’s power). Challenges: 1) I knew how to make a fire, had plenty of wood in the lot, but after the first month I had used up all the smaller pieces; what was left was mostly rounds or chunks too big for the stove- I had no cutting tools, and it was a lot of oak. Omg I tried an old hacksaw I found; a small borrowed axe; it was crazy. Finally found a wedge under an old slash pile, borrowed a sledge from work, and BAM! Suddenly I was a wood-splitter! Pioneer woman all the way, whooping like a banshee through the night air on my first successful split. I also learned to make sure and bring up my wood BEFORE work, not after- we have coyotes, bears, huge rugged raccoons, skunks, and- yikes, mountain lions. Also to watch the weather, first storm caught me with only wet wood to burn- I tried drying it out on the brick next to the fire (burned a little trash to get going), found out fast that wood burns outside the stove too! Yikes again, almost lost my pet bunny to smoke! 2) Big storm coming, fp was smoking, had to get on the roof and clean the chimney or freeze.Used an old school mop w/out the sponge, stuck it down (brick chimney, not stovepipe), opened it and scraped- it worked! Yay! 3) Sneaking next door at night, across the ridge in the dark….always concerned about mtn lions- would carry my supplies in a pack, open umbrella (for largeness), iron fp poker, and scream and bang around like a banshee the whole way.
    This was the best time of my life-I learned SO much about myself, my abilities, my courage…had to push every limit….LOVED every minute of it…never felt so independent and sovereign and self-sufficient in my life. Would do it again in a heartbeat, though I could never re-capture that naive sojourn.

    Reply
    • Sounds lovely — except for the laundry. 😀 There is a lot of anthropological study which shows that laundry machines are actually one of the most life-changing inventions ever. Even with cool off-grid bucket type laundry machines, you still end up spending an insane amount of time hand washing laundry. Now that I have a laundry and dryer, I don’t ever want to go back.

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    • This story made me frightened and amused at the same time! Thank you. You may need these skills again in the near future.
      Rebecca

      Reply
  7. A generator with deep cycle batteries set up as a large bank can make anytime optional electric living possible. It is off grid to the degree that no grid supply wires need to be anywhere near such a home.
    We needed power to pump water from a shallow well and chose a twelve volt system which has made running water possible. Other conveniences are also afforded but truly being off grid comes in many a flavor.
    Running water makes a big difference when it comes to daily activities. Propane can not be considered off grid by some opinions. Devices which we use it for run up quite a bill starting with the generator. A refrigerator makes cold with heat! Go figure. It is almost silent which is great too. It is smaller than most families need but we get by and the freezer works great as well. A propane instant hot water heater is probably the the most modern thing we have and while it has some issues we never run out of hot water no matter how many guests need showers. Very hot and good pressure. A kitchen stove and a back up floor heater these are all contributing to the annual gas bill. I agree with the wood heat assesment. I wood never like to live without that. It makes all the difference! Lights and entertainment, etc.from a power bank is almost insignificant compared to pumping water. Of course solar should be on and is on the wish list. But everyone should know this. Batteries usually need a back up if you don’ t want to ruin them early in their use. And if you use a generator you should know this too. Brushes fail, generators fail, in different ways. You should always have spare parts and even a spare generator to hold you over while the main one gets repaired.

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  8. We are a family of four and use, per our electric company, a average of 9 to 10 KWh a day. Have lived without electric a few times in my adult life due to blackouts or when going camping. Lost power for 13 days after Sandy. Like someone mentioned in a previous post, still had access to electric off premise. Know I can cut more. For example substituted refrigerator/freezer unit with a chest freezer for 3 months a few years ago. Wasnt tough, saved on electric, and worth it. Went back cause wife didnt want to do it anymore. I admire all of you who have been able to cut the juice. Wish I had both the knowledge and will power.

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    • There’s nothing to be ashamed about in wanting electricity. I’ve traveled to many poor places in the world where the people don’t have electricity (not by choice) and their quality of life suffers terribly. As much as I love being completely without power, it isn’t feasible for my family long-term — especially when there are now so many options for having power without having to be connected to the energy grid.

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      • I’ve been living for almost five years in a semi-autonomous tiny house. It has a solar panel with a 12V battery, a small gas stove for cooking, and the heating works on propane too. The toilet is a composting toilet. In summer I also use a solar oven.
        As for water, as soon as I’m on my own land and not moving around so much, I am going to install a rainwater recuperation system (I now still depend on tap water). I don’t have TV, and do not miss it: Nature is my TV. 🙂

        Reply
  9. When I was a child, we had electricity, but I wanted to cook
    On a grill, so I made one from an old ringer washing machine, I used it alot it worked really good

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  10. Thoroughly enjoyed it -once realised it was to ‘stay’ a while! Area power cut in NSW due to massive flooding- peace quiet fresh air fresh sounds no hum water tanks overflowing so shower was under overflow pipe- best showers ever- this was deep in country nearest neighbours mile away- food- always well stocked, bottled water too- BBQ really came into its own that year. Great memories- thanks for kick-off!

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  11. Sorry, can’t agree. We lived for over 20 years without electricity & raised three sons in that time. A fridge does save a lot of work, less preserving to do & it works better than a coolgardie safe, but it is not it is not a necessity.
    Keith.
    New England Australia.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the comment. You are right — something is only a “necessity” if you can’t find a way to adapt and adjust.

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  12. I live for more than a yr with out off grid in 1985 with 5 young children we had no running water, we had wood heat, propane stove and later a very small propane frig. We packed every drop of water to cook , drink and clean and dish water and bath water was used or than once to mop floors, flush toilets etc.. we had a tv/ radio that ran off of 12 volt battery , that me had on for maybe 1 or 2 hrs in the evening, kerosene lamps for light we did just fine .
    My oldest was 9 and youngest just 1 yr.
    We had chickens and goats for fresh milk and eggs as we were 21 miles from the closest store/ gas station.
    We shopped once a month. We lived in northern California where you have all 4 seasons when it was hot we spent our time at the river and under big shade trees my children all learned how much water we had to pack for everyone to bathe , how to stack wood everyone helped!

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  13. Solar can be made to work really well. Small fans are now available which have USB ports. It’s all about Batteries, keeping Panels clean, and learning to shut things off when your done with them.

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  14. Just about old enough to remember homes without refrigerators and freezers and went through the three day week in the 1970’s when the national grid was shut down! Still prefer to read paper books rather than electronic versions. As a student we were well versed in cold water cooling; the only use a student has for a bath is either sleeping or keeping your beer cold (not possible at the same time – many have tried).

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  15. The closest I get to living with electricity is when we go camping in our 5th wheel. But we are not completely without. Our 5th wheel has solar panels. My son has medical conditions that we can not be with out power. But certainly limits us when we camp off grid. Our battery reserves are saved for the most important things, my sons respiratory equipment.

    But trying to live with limited resourses, electricity, water,.etc sure gives you a new prospective on daily living, not wasting.

    Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading.

    Reply
  16. I lived a week without power in Omaha from an ice & wind storm. I had my camping lanterns and propane cook stove. This was in October, but with the storm it could have been January!! I still had to go to work where there was power, but came home to a cold and dark house. I heated water on my gas stove and did sponge baths every night, but it was definitely heaven when the power came back on and I could have a hot shower!! I also had a stock of candles so after I came home from work I wasn’t in the dark … did a lot of reading and knitting … I know it was only for a week, but it wasn’t that bad, of course it was only me and the cats, no small children to care for made it easier.

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  17. We lived for over a week without electricity. We have a propane cook stove, so we could cook. We also have a battery converter, so the fridge would still run. We did lose all the food in the freezer though. It wasn’t too bad. We have oil lamps for light, and candles are a must. It wasn’t so bad.

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  18. After reading a book in which the protagonist remarks that most “smart” people couldn’t go a month without electricity, I decided to take it up as a challenge. I live in Brooklyn, NY, so I can not say I was off grid. I still used (heated) running water and my gas stove. I used public libraries to charge my laptop and phone and to work with light after the sun went down. I took my laundry to the laundromat. Even with all these exceptions, it was still a transformative experience. Life felt more calm and peaceful. I definitely thought much more about food waste without a fridge, and that stayed with me. Even in the city that never sleeps where time is money and everything can change in a minute, I found that I was able to opt out of all of these cliche norms of living and interacting with the world. I could live a slower life even in a fast city. I’m now looking to build an off grid home.

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  19. We have been trying to cut back on electricity although not completely off grid. We use solar and wind but have to conserve greatly. I did find a nifty way to keep beer and other drinks cold if you have a spring on your property. We built a spring box out of block and mortar with insulated lid and not only do we get tons of free water but even on the hottest days the water coming from underground is very cold so we always sink several drinks in the springbox while working in that area so we don’t have to walk all the way home for a cold brew.

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  20. Up till this year, I’ve been without electricity, since 2010. I was not able to pay every month. You can survive without it. It is is good to have in winter. I made my own candles, wood for cooking and heat, was free fuel, and also kerocine for lighting. Got my water from natural springs, or doing it at my family’s places. I. Also used a solar panel when they worked. I had a protable TV and DVD player that ran off a web car battery. Had a smart phone from Safelynk that we charged with the solar panels.

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  21. Good Evening,
    At bottle of water in a wet wool sock hung in the shade will get cold on even the hottest days.
    Nothing better then a work break with a chilled drink.
    Good Luck out here every one!

    Reply
  22. We plan to experiment turning off our power for a month to see how well we can cope. We once went 10 days with no power after a hurricane without too many issues. We are better prepared now. It should be a interesting experience.

    Reply
    • That’s a big commitment but will certainly test your preps to the maximum. Let us know what you learn from this experience!

      Reply
  23. My children lived in a metal building without insulation for a few years in Texas. We did power a refrigerator & had a lamp, but no other lighting nor heat or air. This took place in Texas & temps do get very high or low depending on the season. Before we got a woodstove for winter, there would be ice on the walls & ceiling every morning. We slept with thermals, flannel gowns/pajamas over those, socks & gloves & toboggan in winter, & eventually electric blanket which was turned on after the lamp went out at night. In summer, our bodies adjusted each season & even though temps were high, we found that we would use a lightweight blanket along with out top sheet at night, in order to be comfortable. …..burning up in the daytime. We do find ways to adjust & maintain, & our bodies & minds will adjust automatically. Although rough, I loved the peace & quiet, and would do it again, but I’m a lot older now & would prefer to be a little cool in the summer heat here. I would be perfectly happy with a woodstove…the heat is so different than any other. It warms you to the core.
    These arecexoeriences that my teenage daughter’s were grateful for. They knew thst no matter the day/time/issue, they would know how to wash & line dry their clothes, be able to cook any meal on a fire outside, & survive where their counterparts might not. In the midst of those days, I was trying to complete a nursing program in college. Trying? Yes. Achievable? Yes. We knew each other better then than ever. We loved & depended on each other as well. Beautiful, but a hard life. Mom & three children, 2 teens, & a little one.

    Reply
  24. RE: 10 Things You Only Know Once You’ve Lived without Electricity……

    Good article! However I found it rather ironic that you pitch your book series at the bottom afterwards that is only offered in “EBOOK” form…. lol

    Do you offer a hard copy of this series? You know, for when there’s “NO Electricity”.. 😛

    Reply
    • Hello Daniel,

      There’s always one! 🙂

      They are downloadable files which can be printed off for use if the grid goes down. They can also be stored on a laptop or USB for use with battery powered devices.

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      • Actually with a lot of people don’t realize is that you can live off grid on your own grid using self-generated power created by various alternatives to buying power from the government. The following are some of my favourites not tried-and-true but I know they would work.

        = building your home or camp close to a running fast Running Brook or a body of water that you could make a dam or let the Beavers do it for you, you used car alternators that are hooked up two turbines the sit Within the moving water which was spin the turbine the spinning the car alternators or any kind of alternator and then could easily charge 12 volt batteries of course the bigger the alternator the size for the moving water and the bigger the turbine the more 12 volt batteries you’re going to get the charge or 24 volt will be even more preferred then a person could easily just use a 12-volt power to charge cell phones in various other devices but for people who want to run devices that require AC power you can buy simple DC to AC converters and then run your microwave, that TV although I wouldn’t suggest it but you could TVs take very little power, the toaster although that could be done on the wood stove, washer and dryer if you really didn’t want to do it by hand a simple apartment size washer and dryer of course all your power generated by the dam would likely go towards the washer and dryer and that’s it. But that’s not the only way to generate power that’s just one way you would generate power for your household Off the grid.
        – once again big alternators best to use ones from transport trucks or big machinery if you have the power to turn them if not simple Automotive alternators climb a tall tree clear all the other trees around it where the wind hits the top of that tree all the time start setting up turbines windmills one could even use the blades off of a fan like a big box fan or something and just angle I’m so that when the wind hits them they spin the resulting energy created from that wind spinning the fan blade could then be transferred to an alternator which could then be transferred to charge your collection of 24 volt and 12 volt batteries. Of course it was set up ways to adjust from the ground to position DIY windmill and always be able to make sure that your windmills cuz you’re going to build more than one of these obviously you’re going to build multiple set ups same with the water dam generators are angled the hit the wind properly to spin the alternator thus giving you power daily especially during storms to your 12 volt and 24 volt battery pack collection.
        – Solar pannel power
        – then the ultimate one and this would be the one that would give you the power that you need for the backup to ensure that you never run out of power a generator diesel fuel generator that runs off of refined vegetable oil or fryer oil fryer grease whatever as long as just refined and it can burn like diesel fuel cheaper than buying diesel fuel better for the atmosphere, this would provide a lot of power I mean lock the running buses off this stuff fryer Grease and get it for free or cheap just make your trip into town go to your local restaurants where you maybe when you like to eat and ask them if you could have air fryer Grease instead of them just throwing it out. Refining it wouldn’t be that hard it would be a simple distillation process that would have to be done carefully so that it doesn’t ignite but do you know what you’re doing it can be done and probably even over an open fire or on top of hot coals or whatever on top of your wood stove heck actually here’s an even better idea just use the Empire filter fryer Grease start the diesel engine with diesel fuel and then switch over do the old fryer Grease that’s not refined the diesel engine will still run it’ll diesel the fryer Grease that will give you all the power you need off simple fryer Grease. This combined with the other two methods should power a whole household no problem Off the Grid. It’s actually been a dream of mine for a long time to build a home in the woods erect windmills, build water dam electrical generators, multiple windmills and you probably find yourself hardly ever using the generator but like I said you can start that generator with just a little bit of diesel fuel and once you started it and it warmed up you can easily run it off regular old unrefined fryer Grease with a switch over valve

        And then a chorus simple wood stoves and use the trees around you as long as you plant two for everyone you harvest. And that’s how I would live off the grid on my own grid. So just because you move out of the city and into the woods doesn’t mean you have to go without power and with how well is a lot of cell phones work now with the satellites and all you may even get internet in your cabin in the woods then Hunt game with crossbows and stuff for your food a person could get back to the roots of how humans were without completely going without power.

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        • Great info – thanks! Unfortunately, a lot of states still have laws which make it really difficult to go completely off grid. And then there is the personal decision of how much one is ready to give up the convenience of being connected to the grid. Going off-grid does have a fairly high learning curve. You are either going to spend a lot of money up front for a good system or spend a LOT of time learning how to get an affordable system running without glitches.

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          • your missing the real point. .its not about living with power it’s about living without power..the internet or cell phones..try it sometime. I did it for 12 years but then health problem came along.

  25. I remember wanting to cry when we turned the power back on. I miss having candle lit dinners every night with my husband.

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  26. We were three years off-grid. Luckily it doesn’t get too hot in the summer here in Nova Scotia, and we were surrounded by trees. One thing I really loved was never really needing a clock. Visitors would come to our house and be surprised that it was hard to find a clock.

    When you’re spending most of your days in natural lighting, heating with things like wood (which aren’t automatic at all), you start to get in sync with it. We always knew when sunrise and sunset were, we knew what the phase of the moon was (you didn’t need a flashlight outside in the full moon but during a new moon the entire world was pitch black!), and we were keenly aware of things like sunlight, temperature, wind, all of that. You had to be. It’s harder to light a fire when the wind is strong, and you need to check the animals more often.

    We moved back to town and very quickly lost it. I miss that awareness, but it just doesn’t happen when you’re using artificial light and heat.

    And not wasting! After three years of counting every electricity watt from our solar panels, and CARRYING all of our water both in and out, I am crazy about not wasting.

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    • Hi Marie,

      Great point about the clocks and getting back in sync with nature. Also agree, learning the value of not wasting resources is an essential part of becoming more self sufficient.

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    • Electricity is out of control. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. The trick is to master it. Why do we need all this illumination and what do we hope to gain by it?

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      • I need light otherwise I become depressed. I think it’s great that ppl can do without. I try to conserve with composting.

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