Last modified on November 12th, 2021 at 9:43 am

3 Things to Consider Before Going off the Grid for Good

Are you considering going off the grid for good? Then read on to discover the top things to consider before going off the grid here.

Are you thinking of unplugging your home from the grid?

You’re on the cusp of making a smart decision, not just for the environment but also for your finances and general well-being. Going off the grid means disconnecting your home from the utility services your home is hooked up with, primarily electricity and water. This means you have to find a way to replace these services in-house and become fully self-sufficient.

Clearly, it’s a major decision, which means you need to give it a lot of thought.

In this article, we’re sharing the various considerations make before going to it completely.

1. Your Location (Relevant Regulations)

You should be able to disconnect yourself from the grid whenever you wish without consulting anyone, right?

While this is the case in most places, there are places where going off-grid isn’t wholly in your hands. In California, for instance, people who live in single-family homes can’t go off-grid, particularly when it comes to energy. The energy codes require grid interconnection on these properties.

As such, the first consideration to make is your location. Check the relevant laws and regulations in your state and establish whether you have the all-clear to defect from the grid, or there are penalties and fees to pay, or it’s straight-up illegal.

If there are restrictions but you’re still committed to going off-grid, your only option would be to move to a state or locality where grid defection is allowed.

2. Source of Energy

You simply cannot live with electric power in your home.

As you’re making plans to cut off your home of the electric grid, find other sustainable ways to power your home. Lucky for you, there are plenty of options.

Solar energy should be your go-to source because of how easy it is to harvest and convert into electric power, but there’s also wind energy. A sustainable energy company like Haliburton Solar and Wind is able to help you install the right option on your property.

Besides energy, it’s also important to have a water plan. Becoming self-sufficient as far as water is concerned is fairly easy. Just purchase enough water tanks and harvest rainwater.

Make sound plans for all the other utility services you intend to disconnect from.

3. Think About the Cost

Ultimately, going off the grid is meant to lower your expenses significantly. With no utility bills to take care of, there’s no doubt you’ll have more money in your pocket.

However, it is expensive. For instance, installing a new sustainable energy system like solar will cost you thousands of dollars, depending on the size of your home and consumption needs. The same goes for installing a self-sufficient water system among other necessary requirements.

Do you have the money to finance your off-grid endeavors? If yes, you’re good to unplug.

But if you’re unable to afford everything, you’ve got a couple of options. You could hold off on the plan until you have the money, or you can start by defecting from one utility at a time.

Going Off the Grid Is Worth It

Going off the grid has its benefits, especially when you’re looking at the bigger picture. However, it isn’t a simple project. Getting it requires intricate planning; otherwise, you could end up making costly mistakes.

All the best and keep reading our blog for more sustainable living tips.