Going off-Grid

A relatively new phenomena is occurring, it’s becoming trendy to be going off-grid, not to mention eco-friendly, whisper it quietly but the living off-grid revolution has begun.  

Celebrities like Daryl Hannah, of Splash fame, have popularized the term "going off-grid" to such an extent that politicians now frequently drop the term in to their election speeches. With all the celebrity backing it’s important not to lose site of the real importance of living independently from national grid energy supplies. Living off-grid is not a fad, it is an important decision “we” as responsible members of society must make.

The first thing to note is that living off-grid will require some lifestyle changes and you have to do some research to see whether living off-grid is right for you.

Things to think about when you decide to live off-grid

You must be prepared to make a significant investment in the short term in order to reap the long term the reward of zero energy bills.

You have to live with the possibility that at any given time of the year on any given day, things that you take for granted like hot water may not be readily available. Good planning and design should minimize this but it’s still a possibility.

Are you willing to put in the time and effort to learn about sustainable, zero carbon living. It will require a lot of time and effort and planning, unless you have the kind of financial backing that a movie star like Daryl Hannah has.

When it makes sense to live off-grid

In some cases it makes perfect sense to live off-grid, for instance if you have found your
Perfect piece of paradise in the middle of nowhere, it may not be possible for you to connect to tradition energy sources. Often these are the places that are best placed to take advantage of renewable energy sources, This was the case in remote part of the outer Hebrides  in Scotland, called Unst, where Michael Rea built the UK’s first fully carbon zero household with electric car to boot.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of going off-grid can only be gained the day you separate yourself from national grid energy supplies. It is the sense of overall freedom, a feeling of empowerment and independence that can only be felt once you are free from weekly Gas and electric bills. It is this feeling that is at the core of the off-grid revolution.
 
Living off-grid teaches us to be responsible, when you face the prospect of being without hot water for a day, it’s amazing how easy it becomes to turn off lights, turn your TV off at the mains and stop running the hot water tap when you clean your teath. Some eco snobs have criticised Daryl Hannah for turning off-grid living into a fad, for popularizing a concept, daring to encroach on an area of traditionally inhabited by middle aged men with beards, wearing cardigans. We at EcoHouseAgent.com take a different view; we salute you Daryl Hannah for all that you have done to bring the term off-grid in the public domain, for doing something truly memorable and worthwhile, and for graduating from mermaid to Eco Warrior! Long live the off-grid revolution, long live Daryl Hannah!