How much does it cost to live a life off the grid? Though it may seem expensive to some, the reality is it doesn't have to be. Though, if you go all in it could be expensive. Take a look at the list below to get a better understanding before you take the plunge.
Solar
While solar power can currently only produce about 7 kilowatts of power a day (in sunny and dry environments), the technology continues to improve every year. For a professionally installed 24-volt system, including a back-up generator, the total cost is estimated at $38,000.
Wind
Wind turbines might be a useful backup to solar, especially for stormy days. For the low estimated cost of $11,000, the choice is obvious.
Hydropower
Long before electricity, people used water for milling grains. If you’re close to a powerful river, why not add a water-powered generator? The cost can range from $6,470 to $55,400.
Water
No one can live without water, so the importance of a good and clean water system is of the utmost importance. For drinking water, digging a well is the simple solution. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 15 percent of Americans already use wells for their drinking water. A simple solution for septic? Septic tanks are the tried and true method. Combined, expect to spend about $12,000 for both.
Heat
Once you have electricity and water, the next step is heat. Heat is needed not only to stay warm in the winter, but for cooking, heating your water and many other tasks. A complete instillation of a wood oven will run about $3,700 and a years’ worth of fuel (if purchased) will average about $300. While this may seem like a natural option, the downsides of wood include the amount of heat produced, the space needed for storage and time needed to use it. Propane heat burns cleaner than wood, uses less space and costs about the same per a year.
All said and done, you should be looking to spend somewhere between 20,000-50,000 dollars on professionally installed systems to cover all of your basic needs. This is a major investment, on top of the cost of your land and home, but provided you do regular upkeep on all of your systems, they should actually do a lot to lessen your costs long term when you compare the costs of forking over your cash every month for the same services from major suppliers. Kind of makes it all worth it in the end.
For more information on living off the grid and the costs associated, go to Visual Economics.
Well dayum
There’s many factors in play that effect the off grid concept. Firstly, there is build cost vs. living cost.
EG: the cost of drilling a well or permitting annual ground water vs. already having property with sustainable water.
Secondly, solar initiative programs vs. buying used or DIY (much cheaper) is a very common misconception among the off grid idealist who didn’t do their homework.
Lastly, a person’s diet AKA lifestyle vs. what they are willing to do without is a crude wake up to anyone who projects that their livestock or gardens produce free food without cost.
It’s really a matter of being realistic, countless months of research and lowering one’s standards in regards to convenience.
I maintain off grid at less than 100 us dollars per month. But it requires 30 hrs of work per month.
It can be done, but not as a retirement option without substantial nest eggs or a solid residual income.
What about those who are homeless? Don’t they live off grid?
When I think of off-grid I think of independence and individual responsibility. I think of doing for yourself, not depending on others for your survival..
WoW. Thats turnkey homesteading. I don’t think people that homestead buy systems off the rack down at the box store. Septic: A simple sawdust toilet works fine for about $30 or about $1000 for a Natures head. Greay water can go to a simple rock well or collected for your fruit trees. Water can be much cheaper than a drilled well. Think about a rainwater collection system that can be built for $2-3000. Depending on your needs, Our first solar system cost me about $500 It kept the lights on and the fans running. It was nothing more than 2 marine batterys a couple of of solar panels and a simple charge controller. Heat: One of the best values in a serious wood burner is an Englander NC-30 @ less than $1000 at Home Depot. Chainsaw to cut your wood, don’t scrimp here, get a good commercial duty saw, you won’t be sorry.
If you really must have a well there are very low interest loans available from Rural Development at about 2-3%.
Good advice for the frugal Michael.
This coop was over the top of the budget but I did add a 10 watt solar panel to operate the coop door might get my return in 20 years lol
Yes great advice!!!
You do and you will clean it up
Depends on your wants
I’ve seen similar options for a lot cheaper.
I run my cabin on less than 15 gallons of gasoline a year. I have one deep cycle 12 volt battery,and Honda 1,000 watt generator. My cabin has a single 12 volt 11 watt fluorescent bulb for lighting. I also charge my iPhone and iPad off that battery. Several times a year I use the generator to preheat and start vehicles. I’ve been doing this for over 11 years. When I charge my battery I also watch movies on a little DVD player. Life is as complicated as you make it.
Took a lot to set up but once a your set up it is cheap
Ive been homesteading for the past 8 years. Heres what ive learned. You have to be wealthy because you dont have time to work. Ive been working 14 hours a day 7 days a week for 8 years. Kill me.
John Duggan
Jonny Quest
I looked into a solar power system and found it would take me 11 years to see a y Savings on my investment.
Just be nice save on light bill
A small fortune.
A couple of things too about on-going costs:
1) solar batteries aren’t cheap and they have to be replaced every 2-3 years depending on how many times you use them ($250 per battery)
2) propane isn’t cheap either. It varies by region. Mine is always trying to gouge me and I have to negotiate every time to get the cost down. It’s not a regulated utility
There’s “primal living” and then there’s living with the same modern conveniences found in modern society.. in my mind i’d wish myself to be somewhere between the two.
It is like any thing else in life. You have hi-end and low-end survival. If you never used an out house, you might be in for a surprise. I once witnessed a lady with not a hair out of place cooking over a fire using the old Vision ware. It got the job done, I must say, although it would not be my go to cook ware. I prefer a motor home, have a well appointed trailer, but could and would easily go back to camping on the ground should the$#%&!@*hit the fan. Employ all the conveniences you can afford. It is survival you know, but then, it is really none of my business.
i call living off the grid a kerosene lamp a well with hand pump a outhouse a wood burning stove solar power indoor pluming running water give me a beak that’s for sissy’s
A sleeping bag and a backpack and of course a knife to kill others on the road and take their$#%&!@* Best done in third world countries.
BS
Back in old days they had no solar stuff
Wood stove yes. Hand pump yes out house yes . But no solar panels