Property Drop Issue 13
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14 LIVING<br />
Off Grid<br />
In the modern age, sometimes it feels as though it would be impossible to leave everything behind<br />
and live a more self-fulfilling, and self-sufficient, lifestyle.<br />
Smartphones, cars, and constant food, water, and energy supplies have<br />
all contributed towards an existence that is reliant upon these things<br />
every day and night; without them we would probably struggle to live<br />
our lives in a way that felt comfortable.<br />
However, there are ways of regaining our independence from the<br />
modern world around us without compromising our quality of life – going<br />
off-grid is one of them. By replacing energy and water supplies from the<br />
main grid for renewable alternatives, this way of living offers a sustainable<br />
alternative to a lifestyle where everything we need is available to use 24/7.<br />
Together with Flogas, specialists in LPG canisters, we take you through<br />
exactly how living off-grid can be easier than you think.<br />
Finding alternative power<br />
After you’ve removed yourself from the grid, you’ll need to find another<br />
energy supply to power your home. Solar energy is a reliable form of power<br />
that can produce around 3,400kWh of free electricity every year.<br />
If you have small children, then a 3kW to 4kW solar panel system will<br />
produce the required amount of energy for a family home, whereas a 2kW<br />
to 3kW solar panel will produce enough energy for smaller homes with less<br />
people living in them. A 3kW overall solar system will cost around £5,000<br />
- £6,000 and will be a sound investment based on the amount of free<br />
electricity you will procure during its lifetime.<br />
You should also look to install a backup power supply in the form of a<br />
generator or a gas cylinder; this can be utilised on cloudy days or if your<br />
solar panels stop working for any reason. Or alternatively, domestic wind<br />
turbines can also be installed that produce 5kW to 6kW of energy; you<br />
will also be paid for any energy that you don’t use which is sent back to the<br />
grid.<br />
Other considerations<br />
When you’re relying on energy supplies that are external to the grid,<br />
then it’s important to only use the energy that you need.<br />
To keep energy costs low and to live within your own budget, LED<br />
bulbs should be used to replace incandescent bulbs – helping to reduce<br />
electricity costs by 75%; aim to get rid of any electrical appliances that you<br />
don’t need, and make sure that all electrical appliances are turned off at the<br />
mains once they have been used.<br />
Drainage<br />
When living off-grid, you will need to source your own water supply<br />
if you’re not already near a clean, natural source of water. A well can cost<br />
anything between £10,000 – 20,000, and this is dependent upon how deep<br />
the well is dug, and whether the well will be used as a source of drinking<br />
water or for other domestic purposes.<br />
A sceptic tank will also need to be installed in the absence of a sewage<br />
system, and this sewage tank will need to be emptied periodically by a<br />
vacuum truck so that it is disposed of safely. As well as this, a greywater<br />
system should also be installed; by treating water used in dishwashing,<br />
sinks, showers and baths, this water can be used again. This also benefits<br />
the lifespan of your well, as you can reuse water that has already been<br />
cleaned and brought to the surface.<br />
Making lifestyle changes<br />
Although there are practical changes that you can make to your life,<br />
such as finding an alternative energy source, making changes to your<br />
lifestyle are also important considerations.<br />
Reducing waste<br />
All the food, energy and water that you use should be monitored and<br />
maintained at a consistent level; if you begin to slip, then your reliance on<br />
these things may reach unsustainable levels, which may impact your ability<br />
to live off-grid. There are many ways to keep on top of waste, and these<br />
include:<br />
• Keeping showers short.<br />
• Only using artificial lighting when it is completely dark.<br />
• Turning off lights after exiting a room.<br />
• Using food leftovers for compost to create a rich soil for growing more<br />
fruit and vegetables.<br />
• Attend workshops that allow you to learn more about how to repair any<br />
damages to the home, or how to cultivate land for agricultural practices.<br />
• Adopt techniques such as hunting and fishing so as to catch fresh food,<br />
helping to reduce your reliance upon supermarkets that you would<br />
usually have to drive to.<br />
Warren Lewis propertyrepoerter.co.uk
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