8:28 pm - 48 degress outside - breezy...
People ask us why we have chosen to live off-grid? Why not live off-grid?
Though sometimes a challenge, the many benefits of living off-grid make it all worthwhile. How can one describe the feeling of running your home off of clean energy sources like natural gas and propane, or renewable energy sources like hydro, solar and wind? Who could explain the effect being out of the city and suburbs has on your sense of well-being? How many of us would enjoy more fresh produce grown organically on our own property?
For us, it is about living closer to the land; being responsible for the culture, values and environment we leave behind to our two young children; and knowing that life was meant to be enjoyed. Yes, there is the energy savings (yeah, no utility bills!) from using renewable energy sources, wind and hydro generators that we will be building ourselves. There is the garden that we will be planting, tending to and harvesting as a family. Must not forget the chicken coop that our young daughter is obsessed with getting (not until next spring though) because she wants to supply her mommy with fresh eggs. And of course, the adventure and uniqueness of living in an off-grid home.
People think that when you live off-grid you have to make some serious lifestyle changes. Yes and no. We have had a few lifestyle changes, which were surprisingly easy to make. A few extra minutes have been added to the commute time to work; we are a little more conscious about turning lights off when they are not needed, which everyone should be doing anyways; we are a little more conservative with water use, and yes, we do plan on having a dishwasher when the house is completed! Currently, until the full power system is up and running, the largest lifestyle changes we have made is no television, and going into town to do laundry. Everyone has dealt surprisingly well with no TV, instead we now have a movie night were we pop the popcorn and watch a movie on the computer. Going into town to do laundry is a bit of an inconvenience, hopfully in another month or two we wont have to do that anymore. Never thought we would be so excited to do laundry but cannot wait for that first load of laundry in our own home!
That’s what living off-grid has been like for us at least and we are loving it!
