Off The Grid Living

How Safe Is Your Well Water

2009-03-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

For many people living off the grid, their water supply is taken for granted, especially if it comes from a water well. With more and more ground water pollution these days, taking your water well quality for granted can be costly, it can even cost you your life.

Last year, a restaurant in Locust Grove Oklahoma was the center of National news when dozens of patrons became sick from e coli. A few people even died. The source of the contamination was eventually traced back to a water well they'd been using. This year, the State started testing other private water wells in the area and discovered more contaminated water wells.

The source of the pollution? Area farms that were spreading chicken manure on their pastures.

Of course land based pollution is not the only way your water well can become contaminated. It's been known for years that drilling activity miles away can affect the quality of your water well.

Knowing this, you should routinely have your drinking water, whether it comes from a well or not, tested. Many counties throughout the Country have Health Departments where you can pick up a water test kit. There are also many small independent testing labs scattered around that will do this. The charge is normally anywhere from $10 to $50 depending on what all you want tested. Obviously you want a Coliform and e coli test as well as many bacteria and other toxins you can get and still remain in your budget.

Don't take your drinking water for granted. If you're trying to make a run of it living off the grid, the last thing you need is a stay in the Hospital, or a trip to your own funeral. Testing water wells for contamination is quick and easy enough.

Alternative Energy In Ireland

2009-01-16T04:16:00.000-08:00

With the cost of energy these days, it's nice to hear about what others are doing in order to save the Earth's natural resources. As many of you already know, when you get off the grid, you learn how to conserve what energy you have. Unless of course, you have more money than what you know what to do with. I know this alternative energy in Ireland is a ways off, but on a smaller scale there are some off the grid people already applying such techniques around the world. This should give us all hope.

The Irish are currently pursuing energy independence and the further development of their robust economy through the implementation of research and development into alternative energy sources. At the time of this writing, nearly 90% of Ireland's energy needs are met through importation—the highest level of foreign product dependence in the nation's entire history. This is a very precarious situation to be in, and the need for developing alternative energy sources in Ireland is sharply perceived.

Ireland also seeks to conserve and rejuvenate its naturally beautiful environment and to clean up its atmosphere through the implementation of alternative energy supplies. The European Union has mandated a reduction in sulphuric and nitric oxide emissions for all member nations. It's no longer cool to say you're trying to save gas to cut back on fossil fuels, EU wants proof and in a big way. Green energy is needed to meet these objectives. Hydroelectric power has been utilized in Ireland in some areas since the 1930s and has been very effective; however, more of it needs to be installed. Ireland also needs to harness the wave power of the Atlantic Ocean, which on its west coast is a potential energy supply that the nation has in great store.

Ireland actually has the potential to become an energy exporter, rather than a nation so heavily dependent on energy importation. This energy potential resides in Ireland's substantial wind, ocean wave, and biomass-producing alternative energy potentials. Ireland could become a supplier of ocean wave-produced electricity and biomass-fueled energy to continental Europe and, as they say, “make a killing”.

At the present time, Ireland is most closely focused on reaching the point where it can produce 15% of the nation's electricity through wind farms, which the government has set as a national objective to be reached by 2010. But universities, research institutes, and government personnel in Ireland have been saying that the development of ocean wave energy technology would be a true driving force for the nation's economy and one which would greatly help to make Ireland energy independent. A test site for developing wave ocean energy has been established in Ireland, less than two miles off the coast of An Spideal in County Galway Bay. This experimental ocean wave harnessing site is known as “Wavebob”.

The most energetic waves in the world are located off the West coast of Ireland, says Ireland's Marine Institute CEO Dr. Peter Heffernan. The technology to harness the power of the ocean is only just emerging and Ireland has the chance to become a market leader in this sector. David Taylor, CEO of the Sustainable Energy Initiative,or SEI, tells us that SEI is committed to innovation in the renewable energy sector. Wave energy is a promising new renewable energy resource which could one day make a significant contribution to Ireland's electricity generation mix thereby further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Padraig Walshe, the president of the Irish Farmers Association, tells us that with the closure of the sugar beet industry, an increasing amount of Irish land resources will become available for alternative uses, including bioenergy production. Today, renewable energy sources meet only 2% of Ireland’s total energy consumption. From a farming perspective, growing energy crops will only have a viable future if they provide an economic return on investment and labour, and if the prospect of this return is secure into the future. Currently the return from energy crops is marginal and is hampering the development of the industry. Biomass energies need to be further researched by Ireland.

Personally, I don't see a country like Ireland being able to raise enough crops to supply this type of energy efficiently. Just look at how much Corn resources it takes to make Ethanol. Talk about inefficient! Of course, time will tell whether or not any of these alternative resources come to bear, but many have great potential, especially on a smaller scale for the off the grid home owner.

Tips For Living Off The Grid

2008-07-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Beginners Tips for Living Off The Grid

Going green can be as easy or as hard as you wish to make it. Just about everyone in the United States does at least one thing on a regular basis that is friendly to the environment. Many people recycle as a matter of course. Farmer's markets are springing up all over the nation as people want healthier and locally grown foods. But what about the people who carry going green to a higher level? What are they doing to utilize the natural resources of the earth? Who are the people who live "off the grid" and what exactly does this mean? The focus of this article is getting ready for living off the grid using different technologies and other ways to be more earth friendly.

If you want to learn what you can do to reduce your energy bills and massively decrease your carbon footprint then these books are a great place to start. If you're interested in off grid living, renewable energy, solar power, building your own wind generator, or even building your own home then check these books out.

Want to reduce your "carbon footprint" (nonsense) then stop buying crap you don't need. You need two or three pairs of pants, you could probably have one cell phone for life, etc. That's how to do it.

Although you may not be capable of installing a full alarm system if your cabin is living off the grid, you can try trip-wire systems. With such systems you can trigger a sound device to go off, or rig it so objects fall with a crashing sound. Yes, it's sort of a seemingly archaic alarm system, but you have to work with what you got. And you'd be surprised at what'll work. Some systems will allow you to trip-wire to a battery operated alarm system or camera monitors that you can see from home!

Your warranty may also be voided if you don't install the system correctly or keep up maintenance on the system - like not cleaning off stains. The solar water heating panels typically come with a five- to 10-year warranty, depending on manufacturer.

Solar water heaters can provide up to 80 percent of your home's annual water-heating needs and should cut your utility bills by 50 to 80 percent. Keep in mind that solar water heaters do cost more than conventional electric or gas water heaters. They usually cost about $4,000 to $5,000 to install, says Rhone Resh of the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Integrating photovoltaic arrays is becoming increasingly popular. There are homes that use solar power exclusively, and many that use it as an ancillary source. Large arrays of solar panels are built into existing homes or new construction on either the roof or sides of the home. You can now purchase roof tiles that have integrated PV cells in them.

While cob homes are easy and cheap to build, your city or neighborhood association might have specific laws that prevent homes from being built with all-natural materials. Make sure to check with your local building inspector before you begin construction on a cob home.

Want to build your own home but have no idea where to start? This "Build Your own Home” guide will take you from beginner to "DIY Home Builder” in easy to follow steps. The Build Your Own Home guide book is fully illustrated to show you what you need to know and how to do it in step by step. You'll soon be ready to start living off the grid!