Off grid living

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

I've been reading a bit about 'off grid' living recently and see good and bad points about being in charge of all of your own infrastructure, power, water, sewage, etc.

I think the water is the biggest thing for me, if your solar panel or windmill stops working you can live without electricity for a short time while you fix it, but if you have a well or other source of non connected water and it gets contaminated or something that is a major issue. I think I like the idea of someone else being responsible for taking care of that and knowing it will be tested and safe.

Does anyone here live off grid, or if not would you be interested in giving it a go, or just not at all, and why?

Piri

We are planning to go that way. As we choosing to live in Lithuania with the water at least for our lifetime we won't have issues. There are two types of wells. One that it is not deep one and you can get water manually, it is not so deep, in dry season it might get dry and it is a great space for bacterias and other things. And another type that people usually choose artesian well. Lithuania is rich in fresh waters.

You can have filters for the water (all kind) and reuse it for example for the garden needs.

About electricity, there is a possibility to combine your off-grid solar energy system with the providers. I believe this is a good biginner's step. You can choose the electricity provider witch is green.

We want to create a sustainable green home, but practical and comfortable.

Aiga

It depends on what you mean with off grid.

I want to have tv that works and phone signal and fast internet speed. I do not matter if the power is from the solar on my roof or the national renewable energy and the same with the water, just so long it is safe to drink.

If you mean living as normal as possible life but not connected to city water, etc. then yes that is all good. If you mean living in a cave with no connection to the world and wear a tin foil hat then no.

Piri

Aiga If you mean living in a cave with no connection to the world and wear a tin foil hat then no.

😁😁😁

Well I like comfort. I can adapt fast and don't have really problemS to live without 'fasilities', but I don't want that for a long term.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Aiga If you mean living as normal as possible life but not connected to city water, etc. then yes that is all good. If you mean living in a cave with no connection to the world and wear a tin foil hat then no.

No, I didn't mean wearing a tin foil hat and stockpiling enough candles and canned foods for a few years in your basement, I don't think I could deal with living with that kind of paranoia.

I meant much more just not being connected to the mains electricity and water systems, that probably means no fixed phone line as well, but you can get fast data over cell networks most places by now I hope.

Aiga

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Then I would be ok to try it out. Not so big fan of dealing with human waste and I would panic if the power breaks or something but if there is an internet connection I do not see to many problems.

Piri

Aiga if there is an internet connection I do not see to many problems.

100% agree 😁

Stasys-Girskis

I think that no internet and phone would be a deal breaker for most people now, we are so used to being connected.

As someone said though, if you have some form of local power, solar etc. then you can probably get a connection somehow by cell and not need to be connected to a fixed line phone network. If something like Musk's Starlink can make satelite internet access affordable as well then that will be another option.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Stasys-Girskis I think that no internet and phone would be a deal breaker for most people now, we are so used to being connected.

By 'most people' you mean you. Some people would love sometimes to just sit with a book and be at peace without phones and alerts and messages making noises at them every few minutes.

Stasys-Girskis

Julie Brooks-Girskiene By 'most people' you mean you. Some people would love sometimes to just sit with a book and be at peace without phones and alerts and messages making noises at them every few minutes.

Yes, I do mean me, but also you.

You can sit and read a book for an hour or two, max. But after that you are looking for the phone to check that you didn't miss something.

It's everyone, we have all got used to being able to communicate and get information whenever we want, that to be without it is a big thing. Maybe for a holiday or a day out in the countryside, but not for much more than that. It's a mass addiction.

Piri

Stasys-Girskis It's everyone, we have all got used to being able to communicate and get information whenever we want, that to be without it is a big thing.

Ir iš actually a big thing. We all are so used to it and if we don't answer the phone or a message in a short period we make people worried.

In some point to receive and find information asap it is a very useful thing.

But I think it should be very clear 'home rules' about it l, I really dislike having a meal with someone who is on phone all the time or going for a walk with someone who is all the time checking up phone ect.

If the smart phone became your lifestyle it is a problem.

Stasys-Girskis

Piri If the smart phone became your lifestyle it is a problem.

Maybe, but it's also the new normal for many people.

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