I don’t have huge plans for an ideal home at this point. I’m content with using the shack as a warm shelter for backcountry skiing nearby in winter months and as a place to write in solitude. With minimal expense and limited projects to complete, I’ve needed to learn how to create an off-grid environment work. What can I do to cook my food, control the waste I produce, keep warm, keep my house in order, and power up my lights and laptop?
“Of all the ways we can take control of our lives, getting involved in our shelter is one of the easiest and most accessible,” Huntington writes.
If you’re purchasing an RV, a van, a remote cabin, or a dilapidated structure like mine, these are some suggestions for setting up your off-grid vacation.
Energy
As with many off-grid power options, energy options can be particular to the area in which they are located. Are you in a location that has plenty of sun? Solar alternatives are plentiful and becoming less expensive and more efficient. In the open, with a lot of exposure to the wind? Wind turbines could be an excellent low-impact energy source. Small hydropower systems could benefit certain areas near water. This is all about the most efficient land utilization for your electricity requirements. My land is on a slope with a south-facing aspect that receives plenty of sunlight all day, so I’m currently testing the Buti by Goal Zero 500x with Nomad 200 panels.
Consider heating the space and drying your wet clothes using an electric stove that burns wood. Propane is a better fuel to cook with.
It would be best to determine the wattage you’ll need to power your devices, whether laptops, phones, LED lights, or ultra-efficient refrigerators. “The nameplate on your device has the amperage and the voltage,” Explains Kable Green, the marketing and events manager at the Salt Lake City-based Goal Zero, which has witnessed a 100 percent rise in sales of power stations during the recent wildfire and pandemic catastrophes, destroying the inventory of their latest Yeti 1500x, and the 3000x models in two days. “Multiply the voltage and amperage together to calculate the power. Thus 120 volts at 2 amps would draw the maximum of 240 watts. It could be slightly less when the device is operating.”
If you’re using solar power to recharge your batteries, check the battery every hour or so to ensure optimum exposure while the sun reaches the horizon. Extension cords are less efficient when there is an extended distance for the power to move, so they only extend up to fifteen feet. Modern lithium-ion polymer batteries have improved in their capacity to hold charges. Still, when the temperature reaches 70°F or below 40 degrees, they are less efficient, so consider placing the batteries in a dry cooler.
Water
There are several options for water, and they are specific to the area you live in and the setup. Some places can have a well. However, drilling and running by the pump will cost between $10,000 and $15,000. MSR offers a reasonable 10-liter large-volume gravity-based filter for large parties and basecamps. It can help make any source of water safe and drinkable.
RVs come with huge tanks for water, which you can refill, which will last a few weeks. If your residence is permanent and is close to an access road, investing in a giant cistern and delivering water to it at a cost of cents per gallon is typically the most economical option. Also, seven-gallon containers are straightforward to carry and usually provide enough water to drink and cook during a long weekend.
The rainwater capture systems are highly effective and can provide a constant source for watering your garden, but make sure to research the laws that govern the rights to harvest water for your specific state.
If you are prone to getting dirty outdoors, having hot water makes an enormous difference to your off-grid living experience. Showers that are solar-like Nemo Helio LX. Nemo Helio LX heats water in a black plastic bag propane-powered water heaters make more long-lasting installations and are highly efficient electric showers, such as those from the Geyser series, are powered by a 12-volt power source. The hot water options can also make washing dishes outdoors in cold weather more enjoyable.
Toilet
One of the most common questions people ask when they go off-grid is what the situation in the bathroom is like.
“We live in a world where we’re so disconnected from our bathroom experience that we often don’t know how to handle it,” Huntington states. Most people need to learn the septic system’s workings, what you can and cannot flush, or what alternatives you have.
“For anyone who is building a tiny cabin, I would recommend you go for one of the tiny waste disposal toilets. So, you’ll be able to get around the legality of having an outhouse, and you don’t have to worry about contamination of the groundwater.” the author adds.
Compost toilets don’t require water; if they are maintained correctly, they have almost no smell. They are small, self-contained, and convert solid trash into compost, creating an oxygen-rich atmosphere where aerobic bacteria can break down in a pile. The final product is a soil amendment of high quality which could be employed to cultivate trees or gardens. There is no plumbing or infrastructure needed.
Communication
For some, getting off the grid can make them disconnected from the world. Some people find that remaining in touch helps them escape in the first place.
GPS devices such as Garmin’s InReach permit users to send messages to anyone’s email, phone, or InReach via the world’s satellite networks and initiate an urgent SOS rescue phone. To keep in touch, you can look into an unlimited data plan connecting your device to a smartphone’s wireless hotspot or buy an individual mobile hotspot. A few RV- and van-dwellers opt for an expensive amplifier to boost two or three bars or connect to an internet connection in the vicinity, allowing the device to operate faster.
Whatever your technology configuration, balancing your needs and connectivity is essential while stepping away from the grid. The internet was designed to force you to devote as many hours as possible, but it will only sometimes make you happy. Going out can affect your balance for yourself, and, in a way, building or keeping your own space could force you to be at a lower level on your phone.
“Nothing forces you to balance and prioritize your time better than getting a roof on your house before winter comes,” Huntington states.
Organization
If you’re in a confined space, the small that you do have is taken great worth. Living in a small area requires you to become innovative, organize and create efficient systems to manage your daily activities. One rule to be aware of is that the larger your site, the more stuff you’ll acquire that you don’t require. Therefore, begin small by focusing on the basics and build up slowly.
“Definitely build a lot of cabinets and be mindful of the essentials,” Huntington suggests. “A garage is a must. When you have a property that you like, begin with a shed for storage or a simple structure. Stay the shed for a while, and then choose the location for your home or a larger structure. This way, you’ll have somewhere to put everything you own.”