Whether you want to save money on energy bills, be environmentally friendly or become self-sufficient, living of the grid can be both financially and emotionally rewarding. You will save money on energy, water, gas and sewage if you choose to live fully off the grid. This page is an introduction on how to live off the grid.

Living of the grid is a lifestyle that requires you to give up convenience and sometimes comfort, but in return, you get independence and a sense of helping the environment. You can also save a significant amount of money. Some people choose to go off the grid only when it comes energy by not relying on public energy sources. Others go off the grid completely, creating way to get water and heat without assistance and disposing their sewage water themselves.

Before living off the grid, you need to install or have someone help you to install an alternative energy source.

1. The most common choices are to depend on wind or solar power.
2. Both alternative energy sources function in a similar way, by turning wind power or solar power into electricity.
3. If you are a technical person who is familiar about power sources and installation, you can build and install your own wind turbine or solar panel.
4. Otherwise, the best option is to hire someone to install it for you.
5. Consider using other energy sources to heat up your home, such as a fireplace.

• Next you will need to find your own water supply.

1. One option is to build a well, which can provide clean drinking water.
2. Since building a well is not always feasible, you can also gather rain water and purify it for drinking.
3. Rain water is often clean enough to drink if you are living on the countryside; however; it will no longer be clean once gathered, as dirt, insects and other things can fall into the water.
4. If you are living in a city, rain water is full of pollution and other ingredients and is not safe for you to drink.
5. There are many resources available to help you build a construction to gather and purify water.

• To fully live off the grid, you will also need to find a sanitary and environmentally friendly way to get rid of sewage. One way is to construct a septic system. In a septic system, your waste water is gathered in a metal tank. Bacteria in the tank breaks it down and releases the water in a way that is not harmful to the environment. The water is transported by pipes into a drain field.

• To completely live off the grid, you will need to end your dependence on others for energy, water and sewage. It takes time, energy and money to prepare for living off the grid; however; living off the grid can be both financially and emotionally rewarding.

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