Getting off the grid?

[MidwestAmber]

This post, I'm sure many of you may feel, is a bit premature...but I'm curious where I should start looking. One of the first things my family would like to implement when we move to our new property is getting off the grid. The properties we've perused vary, some offer utilities some are still unimproved. All in all we want to provide as much of our own power as possible. So I'm just starting the digging into what the options are. We'd like to move in about 6 months or so, so we do still have some time. But I'm not sure what's the best option in our area. We live in western Texas so sun is always in ample supply, the wind blows like crazy as well. I just don't know where to even start looking so I'd just like your opinions. At first we're going to continue living in our recently purchased manufactured home, but we intend on building a site built home within the next 2 years. We have a large family and despite our best intentions I'm certain we will still need quite a bit of power. So, what do you guys think?

 

[Beekissed]

Sounds like a combination of solar and wind power is your best option...do you want to back up to battery or the grid? If so, you'll want to look at properties that still offer utilities. It's always nice to have that option as you never know what the future holds with health, finances, etc.

 

[MidwestAmber]

We've discussed both. I really like the idea of still being "hooked in" though more because I know the power company offers a check if you pump power into the grid. Back up is just another perk of that. I had thought it'd be wise to spend more on just one option but you and my hubbs are in agreement that both are the way to go. Well, I guess now off to digging into the options for getting both set up.

 

[MidwestAmber]

We've discussed both. I really like the idea of still being "hooked in" though more because I know the power company offers a check if you pump power into the grid. Back up is just another perk of that. I had thought it'd be wise to spend more on just one option but you and my hubbs are in agreement that both are the way to go. Well, I guess now off to digging into the options for getting both set up.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I would like to take this time to maybe reactivate a thread on alternative, off-grid power sources.
Okay, I just got my tax return done by my cousin, who is an accountant and the questions she asked me, have been discussed on the SS forum a lot. Apparently we have a lot of reasons to seriously consider making any changes toward energy independence.
The only thing I claimed was weatherizing my house a bit, by insulating my floor and closing in downstairs, but it is in my head to begin unplugging my house, slowly from the grid and putting sections of my house on solar, wind or geo-thermal or a combo of 2 or 3 to get off grid.
Well, after talking to my cousin, you will want to do anything at all to make some changes. You don't have to do your whole house.....just do a few rooms. Keep your receipts and you will be getting something back, in addition to the money you will be saving on your utility bills.

 

[Denim Deb]

That's good to know. Hubby was on the phone last week w/someone about going solar.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

When I do it, I'm not going whole house and spending 30,000 or so and have to call someone out to climb my roof, every time something bad happens. I'm going to try small sections with all the parts, readily at my disposal. I would rather invest 2,000 in supplies and put a small project to cancel out a chunk of my house that doesn't use much anyway and later take out another chunk in another way and if I can have something that I can disassemble for hurricanes for safekeeping, then good. I have done the math on the 30,000 idea and it doesn't add up.....Lol. Sorry...I know everyone needs to make a living, but as far as hiring a contractor to come here and charge me that much money on a system that will be flying away for the next category 4 or 5, I might as well do something creative, myself.
My home improvements actually increased my return, as well as made me more comfortable.
Also......all this talk about the tiny house movement.....thats all nice, if I can sell this big monster, which my family made when I was only 12 years old, to which I am now 50 and all, but if you happen to be stuck in a big monster....why not get rid of your junk, slowly at garage sales and private donations, so you can live smaller and then just fire some of your rooms.....if you have the monster, but like small living idea, just decide which 2 rooms you want to do your tiny living in and clean up the rest.

 

[Britesea]

Hmmm. We discovered when the woodstove was installed that part of the attic has been "insulated" with old sofa cushions and mattresses; a good idea other than the fire hazard, lol. Maybe we can get a little tax help by getting rid of those and putting in some proper insulation.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

She did ask me if I had insulated the attic. I could have taken a chance, but I knew I couldn't produce receipts to prove that one, so I didn't. But bummer because I did pay the insulation that is up there, only didn't get credit for it yet.