In 2013, there were 1.7 billion people living off the grid. Are you interested in living that lifestyle as well?
Off-grid living isn’t easy, and it requires a lot of planning before you can do it. Keep reading for some off-grid living tips that will help you survive.
Consider Safety
Firstly, you’ll need to ensure your survival and safety. At the end of the day, you’ll need to prepare for your new lifestyle, and it’s important o know how to take care of yourself if there is an emergency.
You might have to return to normal society at some point to restock supplies or get medical information. You have to be willing to do that if it’s a matter of safety regardless of your principles.
However, you should still learn how to do as much first aid and emergency preparation as you can.
Choose a Good Location
After you’ve done some research to ensure your safety, choose a good location for off-grid living. You could really do it anywhere, but you’ll need power and water to survive.
However, some places are easier than others. Consider what type of climate you want to live in.
Do you want a place with consistent weather? Do you want to deal with an area that has constant natural disasters?
Are there any natural resources that you can use? Is there wildlife that you can hunt?
What is the ground like? Is the quality of the soil good for growing food? Is the water table low enough to build a basement?
How much rain do you get? Is there enough water? All of these questions will help you find the ideal position to set up your home for living off the grid.
Use Solar Energy
One way to get electricity and live off the grid is by using solar power.
You can have companies (like https://www.dragonsbreathsolar.co.uk/) install them so that you can have a natural resource to power your home.
First, you’ll have to make sure that your panels are directed towards the south. This way, you’ll get the most amount of sunlight. Next, you’ll need to have wires to charge the controller.
You’ll also need to have a battery bank so that if the day is a little bit cloudy, you can still use reserved power.
Figure Out Water and Food
When you’re living off the grid, you also need to find a way to have your food and water available.
You can bring water to your home through different methods, like digging a well, collecting from a stream, or collecting rainwater.
As for food, you’ll have to find ways to eat from the land. This may mean that you’ll have to learn how to hunt, garden, fish, farm, compost, and manage the land.
You could start by growing a vegetable garden. Depending on the location that you choose, you may even be able to grow fruit as well.
You should also consider having livestock on your land as well. Chickens are very easy to keep and take care of, and they will also provide you with eggs. They can also help manage your garden pests, and you can use their waste as fertilizer for your soil.
Rabbits are also easy to raise when you’re off the grid, and you can breed them quickly to get meat.
Set Up a Compost Bin
You’ll likely generate waste, so it makes sense to try and recycle as much as you can. One way to do that is to set up a compost bin.
You’ll also be able to use this to make your own organic fertilizer. This will help you save money, give back to the land, and generate more food so that you reduce your footprint as well.
Collect Rainwater
If you’re in a place that will be raining often, you should start collecting the rainwater. This is more efficient than getting water from your well or collecting water at a stream.
In fact, if you have a good collection system, then you can get a lot of good water just from the rain. However, it can take a while to put together a good system.
It will pay off for years if you can find a way to collect and then store all the water that you’re using to supply yourself and your garden.
Rainwater is cleaner than well water, which makes it convenient as well. However, keep in mind that you’ll still need to purify and filter the water. You’ll also have to find a way to store and preserve it.
Have a Backup Generator
While solar energy is reliable, you’ll also want to have a generator that can give you power if you have any electrical problems. You may also lose power if there is a really bad storm.
You should have a generator and some gasoline to make sure that you can run it. However, ensure that you don’t run a generator inside as the gas it creates can be deadly.
You should try building a shed that is weatherproof. You should build it away from your house so that the noise doesn’t disturb you.
Learn More About Off-Grid Living
Are you interested in off-grid living? These are only a few things that you should know to survive off-grid life, but you shouldn’t forget about other essentials as well, like your mental health.
This can be a challenging lifestyle, but it’s not impossible.
If you’re interested in more lifestyle topics just like this, explore our website!
