Equipment to Help When Living Off the Grid


0
A cabin on a lake, isolated from city life

If you’re living off the grid, then you know that having the right equipment is essential. Here are some of the must-have items that will help you survive and thrive in an isolated environment. From generators to solar panels, these devices will help keep you powered up and connected to the world. Or, if you’re dedicated to true isolation, this gear can help get you to a point of pure independence from the rest of society. So, whether you’re a prepper or just someone who wants to be prepared for anything, make sure you have these essential pieces of equipment on hand. You’ll be glad you did!

Solar panels

Solar panels are a great first step to breaking away and living off the grid. Whether you’re looking to reduce your energy bill or want more control over how you power your home, solar panels offer an alternative to traditional energy sources. With solar panels, you get the benefit of harvesting clean, renewable energy from the sun that can help slash your electricity costs and decrease your environmental footprint. Investing in solar panel technology for your household is becoming more sensible every day – and you’ll be surprised by just how easy it is to get started.  There are numerous companies that will install a set of panels very quickly for relatively cheap, and will also help maintain them if necessary. 

Wind turbines

Wind turbines have come a long way since their original design. It used to be that wind turbines were made for large scale energy production, but now small, household-sized wind turbines are available too. It’s a great way to turn renewable energy into usable energy for your house, and especially if you’re in a good spot, a wind turbine can help provide power to your off-grid home. Investing in one of these turbines is relatively easy on the pocketbook and may even lead to small savings over time on your electricity bills.  If you’re looking for something greater, with proper planning and investment, you might even be able to set up your own personal wind farm Definitely not for every off-grid location, but worth investigating if you’re looking for a wider range of options beyond simply solar.

Hydroelectric generators

Hydroelectric generators are an impressive feat of engineering. They leverage the power of rivers by using them as a source of energy. Generally, the river flows through a large dam, which turns a turbine that generates electricity. However, it’s possible to establish a hydroelectric system on a smaller scale. This can provide you with renewable energy and is an excellent source of clean energy that can help to keep your power on in a pinch. Hydroelectric generators are also incredibly efficient in their use of resources – they require very little maintenance and the water from rivers can be recycled back into nature.

Interestingly enough, even if you don’t have a convenient source of running water nearby, you could theoretically still use a hydroelectric generator. If you establish your own artificial river, in a pinch you could generate electricity by carrying the water uphill and pouring it through the generator yourself. It’s definitely not the most efficient, by any stretch, but when push comes to shove and you need to power your home, it’s better than sitting in the dark. By utilizing this technology, you can achieve greater sustainability for your home.

Uninterrupted power supply

An UPS (uninterrupted power supply) is an essential part of preserving your valuable data and backing up important systems. When living off the grid, being able to guarantee that certain systems will work (a fridge, a computer with valuable data, radio system, etc) in the worst of situations.  With a UPS, you can be assured that your computers and systems will remain up and running during power outages or if the integrity of the electrical grid is compromised. Depending on your preference, you could choose between online UPS systems or a standby battery system to guarantee that your hardware won’t be negatively affected by electrical surges or even total power outages. Investing in a UPS system can provide peace of mind knowing that your most important components will stay active even when unexpected interruptions occur.

Backup Generator

A backup generator is one such invaluable device that can keep you powered up and connected even in the most isolated of environments. Having an emergency generator on hand offers an extra layer of security during times of need, as it can provide power when alternative sources fail or are inaccessible. Many generators are portable, so they’re suitable for smaller RV’s and cabins and can help keep vital systems running in a remote location. Backup generators also offer cost-effective solutions to energy management. Some generators are specifically designed to run off natural gas or propane, which can be far cheaper than traditional electricity sources. And because they don’t require long-term contracts or high usage fees like other power companies, you’ll save money by only paying for what you use. At the end of the day, investing in a generator is one way to ensure that you have reliable power during unexpected outages while living off the grid. Whether it’s used as your main source of energy or as a just-in-case safety net during storms and other emergencies, this nifty piece of technology will give you peace of mind that your home will stay powered up no matter what life throws at you!

While there are many considerations to make when deciding to live off-the-grid, being well prepared is the essential first step.  While this isn’t intended to be an end-all, be-all list, all of these things can be of use to you when planning how to be independent in your home.  Many of these are situational, so make sure you understand the needs of your home before investing heavily.  Living off the grid comes with a lot of benefits, but to reap them you have to be prepared.  Hopefully, the gear listed here can help.