Sustaining Yourself How To Run Your Household Off The Grid

Among the myriad of self sustaining projects available, how can you possibly narrow down the ones best suitable for your lifestyle? Is it truly possible to live off the grid? There are a few major options to implement in order to minimize reliance on the grid, and here are the best ways to get started and see the most effect for your efforts.Filtering Collected Rainwater for Use Around the HomeOne way to become less reliant upon the grid is to collect rainwater to use in place of sewer or well water. There are several systems available that can be utilized to collect rainwater, both kinds that can be added to existing buildings or incorporated as a part of a construction plan. Many people have experimented with various water filtration systems and shared their results online, Roof Water Harvesting is an excellent resource for learning about harvesting rainwater for use in your home. It is important to note that many municipalities will not allow rainwater to be used as the potable water source without a proper water filtration system in place. In addition to collecting this water, you can also look for wells on your property. If you find some groundwater, you'll want to get a free water analysis to make sure that it's safe to drink. You can even do it on your own by buying a water quality test kit. Installing an Alternative Power SourceCurrent off grid technologies for power generation include solar, wind and internal combustion, in the form of a diesel generator. Solar power generation involves installation of solar panels, and the effectiveness will depend on your location. Wind power generation involves installing windmills on your property and also is dependent on your location. The Washington Post recently posted a very informative article on the best places in the US to use wind and/or solar power. Both solar and wind power require a large capital investment, outside of the panels or windmills themselves the startup expenses include the power conditioning equipment, installation and batteries for storage when excess power is generated, to be used at a later date when not enough power is being generated. Outside of the solar or wind area, a diesel generator is currently the only viable option for power off the grid. An exciting opportunity in the near future for power generation is installing fuel cells for residential use. There are a handful of companies working on this technology that would run off of natural gas, and offer hot water as a by-product. The leading fuel cell companies estimate that within five years this technology will be ready for home use. Going off grid will cost some money up front, but the long term payoffs more than make up for the initial efforts required to get off the grid. Follow Dude, Sustainable! on Twitter or Pinterest,subscribe to our newsletteror help support us by buying Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats from Amazon