Transform your approach to sustainable living with our list of 75 off grid living ideas! Find groundbreaking, eco-conscious ideas for a better life.
To pick the right DIY composting toilet for you, consider your building skills, budget, and which of our ideas would be the most feasible for you.
My end goal in life is to live off grid. I don't know if I will ever accomplish that, but I can dream. I know what it takes from my experience of living in a
Living off-grid doesn't mean giving up modern conveniences. There are a number of companies that make specialized off-grid appliances, and while they cost a bit more at the start, they're built to last a lifetime.
If you're living off the grid, you'll need a way to purify your drinking water. Here's a list of water purification methods to consider.
Choosing an off grid water heater takes more than visiting the neighborhood hardware store. Traditional water heaters just won't cut it. In my guide, I go over alternative water heaters that you can use for an off grid home.
Living off-grid doesn't mean giving up modern conveniences. There are a number of companies that make specialized off-grid appliances, and while they cost a bit more at the start, they're built to last a lifetime.
It's not always all or nothing! Here are some tips from actual off-grid-ers...
How we keep our off the grid house cool all summer long during hot Kentucky summers without any air conditioning. Tips and tricks to cool off naturally.
Going off-grid means you need to generate and maintain your own energy sources, whether it's solar, wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal.
Dreaming of living off the grid? Dive into this how to guide on off grid living for beginners. A resource I wish I had had when we moved to our off grid home in the Arctic 11 years ago.
Terms to know, off-grid waste water options, and helpful advice we learned along the way while installing a septic system for our off-grid home
Want to live off grid? Here's a guide to the topic no one likes to think about but is crucial: Off Grid Methods of Sewage and Waste Disposal!
Sometimes, picture can we worth a thousand words. If you are getting started with an off grid solar system, this is the simplest complete diagram that available to learn how to connect your own off grid solar system.
Some days I wonder what it must be like to live off the grid in a truly warm climate, like California. Sunshine year-round, no snow covering your solar panels and I bet their generators never
Going off-grid means you need to generate and maintain your own energy sources, whether it's solar, wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal.
Interested in off grid living preparation but don't know where to begin? Here are 10 things you can do right now to get started.
The laws about off-grid electric, water, and sewage in every state in America, including information on how local governments make off-grid living illegal.
Living off the grid is tough, but living off-grid with no money is even tougher. Nonetheless, it is possible with the right approach.
Off grid living, many are intrigued by it and some dream about it. How about you, ever dreamt of living off-grid? If so then today’s topic is for you my friend. We’re talking about just
If your goal is to become self-reliant by going off grid, water should be your first priority. Here are 3 Off-Grid Water System you can DIY in no time...
There are a number of ways you can get online when you're living off the grid. Here are some of our favorite options, including what we use at our remote home in the subarctic.
Some days I wonder what it must be like to live off the grid in a truly warm climate, like California. Sunshine year-round, no snow covering your solar panels and I bet their generators never
We installed a custom radiant heat system in our off the grid house. Here's everything we learned (and some cautionary tales) and what YOU should know before...
Self-reliant living starts with re-skilling, and unless you have a mentor handy, there's no better way than hitting the books. These are my favorite books for self reliant living, and they're taught me more than
When an emergency strikes how can you ensure that you have an endless supply of hot water even when there is no electricity? Endless hot water without electricity is no longer a dream! Even our modern world there are times that power outages happen for reasons beyond our control. At those times you will be […]
Off-grid living is something that many of us aspire to. Not only does it provide for excellent self-sufficiency and sustainability
Papercrete is concrete made with paper. It's inexpensive, sturdy, lightweight, insulating, and better than bricks. Here's how to make it.
Learn about batteries for living off the grid including battery bank basics plus how our off grid battery bank system is configured.
This off grid cabin is a beautiful example of a solar-powered tiny house built on a small budget, and it has no mortgage or utility bills!
Wondering how to go off-grid? This step-by-step guide will show you how to transition to an off-grid lifestyle.
My end goal in life is to live off grid. I don't know if I will ever accomplish that, but I can dream. I know what it takes from my experience of living in a
This gorgeous tiny cabin is an inspiring example of how luxurious living in a tiny home can really be. This home is only 84 square feet.
Some days I wonder what it must be like to live off the grid in a truly warm climate, like California. Sunshine year-round, no snow covering your solar panels and I bet their generators never
Nick and Esther have been living off the grid while building their dream home. In that time, they've learned some valuable lessons.
Planning to move off the grid? If so, take note of these five often missed off grid costs that could easily bust your budget.
My end goal in life is to live off grid. I don't know if I will ever accomplish that, but I can dream. I know what it takes from my experience of living in a
Living off-grid doesn't mean giving up modern conveniences. There are a number of companies that make specialized off-grid appliances, and while they cost a bit more at the start, they're built to last a lifetime.
Going off-grid means you need to generate and maintain your own energy sources, whether it's solar, wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal.
Comparing off grid toilets for your home? Learn about five different options, as well as what we use. Our answer may surprise you.
Thinking of moving off the grid? Read about five off grid living mistakes I made when we left the city for an off grid homestead.
So you wanna go off-grid but reading about installing a solar system seems like gibberish? Check out our easy
Solar Powered Refrigerator! : Here is an after the fact implementation of how I power my refrigerator from the sun. This off grid system has been working great since may 2013. It is truly reassuring to know my groceries are safely stored regardless of utility power.I have fulfil…
You are going to need light if you are staying up at a cabin, especially an off-grid one. When the night comes, what are you going…
To pick the right DIY composting toilet for you, consider your building skills, budget, and which of our ideas would be the most feasible for you.
12:13 pm - 48 degrees - light rain and fog... You stroll out in to the garden, picking ripe fruits and vegetables, knowing that come February you’ll still be enjoying their freshness. For those of us attracted to the romantic aspects of self-sufficient life, this is an appealing scenario and one that we’re seriously looking into. After searching the internet and Pinterest – this is what I found out... {photo source: pinterest.com} Root cellars, the ancient technology that enables the long-term storage of your garden’s bounty, are currently experiencing a rediscovery, but not merely because of the pleasures of eating self-grown food, but also because of the actual possibility of reducing expenses and providing for significant food storage in times of potential trouble. Here is a little history on root cellars... Native Australians were the first people to take advantage of the cooling and insulative properties of buried foodstuffs in the earth. Records indicate that over 40,000 years ago they grew large amounts of yams and developed the technique of burying their produce in order to preserve it for future use. In the process, they also discovered the phenomenon of fermentation, and ever since, alcoholic beverages have been a large portion of those products stored in underground repositories. Underground storage facilities from the Iron Age have been discovered, and the Etruscans commonly buries their immature wine, but the actual use of walk-in root cellars as a means to prolong the freshness of fruit and vegetable crops was probably an invention that occurred in 17th century England. It might seem surprising that the great civilizations of China and Egypt did not develop root cellars, but the Chinese were the masters of food preservation via salting, pickling and the additions of spices; the Egyptians, residents of an arid environment, were the masters at drying food. It took the right combination of cool winters and hungry Englishmen to finally invent the concept of root cellars. Early American root cellar. {photo source: pinterest.com} Certainly the most notable practitioners of root cellar arts were the early colonists that arrived in North America from the United Kingdom. The eastern halves of America and Canada contain thousands of old root cellars, and the small Newfoundland town of Elliston actually claims the title of “Root Cellar Capital of the World,” and boasts of over 135 root cellars, some dating back 200 years. What exactly is a root cellar? A root cellar is a structure built underground or partially underground and used to store vegetables, fruits, and nuts or other foods. The basis of all root cellars is their ability to keep food cool. They were, essentially, the first refrigerators. A well-insulated root cellar can keep the food inside 40 degrees cooler than the summertime temperatures outside. This coolness also has benefits during the winter, as maintaining food at a temperature just slightly above freezing has the effect of slowing deterioration and rot. Temperatures inside the home, even in basements, are noticeably warmer, so food stored inside the house have a tendency to spoil much more rapidly than food stored in a cooler root cellar. Temperatures above 45 degrees F cause toughness in most stored vegetables, and encourage undesirable sprouting and considerably more rapid spoilage. The temperature in a root cellar is never uniform. The temperature near the ceiling is usually 10 degrees warmer than elsewhere in the cellar, so the ceiling area is therefore appropriate for placement of produce that tolerates warmer temperatures well, such as onions, garlic, and shallots. What can you plan on storing in your root cellar once you build it? Certainly, many of us probably have visions of root cellars in the 19th century, packed with bushels of apples and sacks full of potatoes. Today’s root cellars are really not much different, and potatoes and apples are two eminently storable garden products. But the problem with that pair is that they don’t really go well together. Apples have a tendency to emit ethylene gas, which causes problems for potatoes stored nearby, and will also make any exposed carrots or other root crops bitter. As a matter of fact, many fruits, including plums, pears, and peaches, and some vegetables, such as tomatoes, cabbage and Chinese cabbage, are also notorious ethylene producers. Luckily, there are ways around this problem. A good root cellar has a variety of shelves, some higher than others, and some closer to the air vents. Placing the ethylene producers up high and nearer the exit vents has a tendency to move harmful gases away from produce stored on the floor below. Many root crops are also regularly stored in boxes of loose soil or sawdust, further insulating them from their neighbors’ emissions. Some produce, like cabbages and onions, often emit odors that can taint the flavors of other vegetables, as well as fruits, so finding high, remote corners for these pungent items is a good idea too. One of the key control features of a root cellar is the set of air vents that allow air to enter and exit the cellar. These vents not only allow a greater amount of temperature adjustment than available to a static space, but the air circulation can also be a valuable tool to deal with the ethylene gases and odors produced by a mixed assortment of fruits and vegetables. Inside the cellar, the arrangement of shelves should allow for generous distances between them. The shelves should also be kept a few inches away from the walls to encourage greater air circulation. Materials placed on the floor should be raised a few inches by small blocks or racks. The down side to root cellars at the pests. Rodents are the single most common pest problem for food stored in root cellars. Installing metal wire mesh in common entry points, such as open vents, is a good idea, as is a frequent trapping program. The next most vexing problem for stored food is plain old rot. The saying that “one rotten apple with spoil the lot” is quite true in this situation, so care should be taken to remove any spoiling produce or other foodstuff. In general though, the lower temperatures will combat the mold and bacteria problems that are common in warm, wet conditions. {photo source: pinterest.com} {photo source: pinterest.com} {photo source: pinterest.com} Food You Can Store In Your Root Cellar APPLES – store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 2-7 months depending on variety BEANS (dried) - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 1 year BEETS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 3-5 months BROCCOLI - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 1-2 weeks BRUSSEL SPROUTS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 3-5 weeks CABBAGE - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 3-4 months CARROTS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 4-6 months GARLIC - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 5-8 months JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 1-2 months LEEKS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 3-4 months ONIONS - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 5-8 months PARSNIPS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 1-2 months PEARS - store at 30 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 2-3 months POTATOES - store between 40-45 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 4-6 months PUMPKINS - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 5-6 months RUTABAGAS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 2-4 months SQUASH - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 4-6 months SWEET POTATOES - store between 55-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 4-6 months TOMATILLOS - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 1-2 months TOMATOES - store between 50-60 degrees – 60-70 percent humidity – shelf life: 1-2 months for green; 4-6 months for varieties intended for winter storage TURNIPS - store at 32 degrees – 90-95 percent humidity – shelf life: 4-6 months
The best portable power stations can be hard to find, as there are literally dozens of fly by night brands that have come onto the market lately. Sorting through all the options can be daunting,
