2 ms·
A best practice for moving to any off-grid lifestyle is to start paring down now and also start reducing your energy dependence. Back in the day when I was read
by Mz 10y ago
A best practice for moving to any off-grid lifestyle is to start paring down now and also start reducing your energy dependence. Back in the day when I was reading such articles, your typical North American house had a clock on the microwave, a clock on the VCR, etc and they all draw small amounts of power continuously. It adds up. You need to go on an electricity diet and break certain bad habits.
Passive solar approaches to keeping things a bearable temperature will drastically reduce your energy dependence.
You need toilet facilities. If you are healthy and have clean habits, you do not necessarily need to shower every single day. Carry hand sanitizer and use it liberally. If your hands are kept clean, everything you touch will stay cleaner.
A super short haircut can also help you stay adequately clean and decent-looking when reliable bathing facilities are hard to come by.
You can live without a mini fridge. It isn't an absolute necessity. It does require some lifestyle modifications. Only buy milk or other fresh items when you are about to use them. Get hot meals at eateries or cook with mostly shelf stable goods. You can also use a seed pot for preserving food without electricity. It isn't as good as a fridge, but it may be an option that works well for you to have some options while freeing up electrical load.
If it gets fairly cool at night, assuming you aren't in bear country, some things can be stored outside overnight to keep them cool. I have become quite fond of sodas cooled this way instead of being served over ice.
My experience: Cardboard, paper, cloth items and upholstery generate heat, much like a compost heap does. Limit those items and keeping your place cool in summer is much less challenging. You can reduce that amount of cardboard in your space by removing cardboard boxes from food (crackers, snacks, etc) and trashing them the minute you get groceries home.