While the number of people living "off the grid" is fairly small, this type of lifestyle is becoming more and more popular. Many people love the idea of using alternative forms of energy or perhaps they want to move out to a more rural location and live off of the land. There are many options for those who wish to become more energy independent, and these can be inexpensive to use, however, there are some start-up costs to consider.
While you will be thinking about everything from getting water to generating electricity, one of your easiest off-the-grid actions will be to set up propane service. Propane can be used to heat your home and run your dryer, water heater and stove. Of course, you will need to find propane tanks for sale. You will find that propane tank prices differ by size but also by condition. You can purchase a new propane tank for sale or a refurbished tank for quite a bit less. At Thrifty Propane, for instance, you can purchase new or refurbished tanks. This company also gives free tanks if you buy a certain amount of propane all at once.
To keep energy costs down, it is recommended that you buy your propane when the propane prices are low. You might not be thinking about heating expenses in July, but this is often when you should buy your propane as prices tend to drop during the hot months of the year. For those who are concerned about the environment, it might also interest you to know that propane is considered a green fuel. No greenhouse gases are emitted from propane, which makes it a much better source of heat than wood or coal.
Of course, there are other off-the-grid items that you need to think about other than propane tanks for sale and learning about propane prices. Every home will need some sort of waste management system and there are a few options to think about. You can build a septic tank for your home, and this does require maintenance and special handling, but it can be a very convenient sewage option. Composting toilets are another option and certainly tend to be less expensive than building a septic tank but often these are placed in an outhouse and not in the home and that might not be what your family wants.
One of the biggest decisions to consider is how to get clean water, and you shouldn't even buy a property until you are sure that there will be some convenient way to ensure access to water. On many properties you can construct a well or groundwater containment system, but there are certainly some places where a well or other type of groundwater system will not be an option. These also can cost $10,000 or even more to construct, so this will be a big, but necessary expense.
Using wells for water, propane for heat and septic tanks to deal with sewage all have been around for many years, but what about electricity? You can power your stove, heater, water heater and dryer using propane in your propane tank, but for regular electricity, you need to find an off-the-grid source. Solar power has gained a lot of popularity and for many people, this will be the best option. It is important to note that while generally those with solar panels are creating their own home energy, they are still attached to the grid and the solar power is not being stored in solar batteries in their home. If you wish to truly be off the grid, you will need a solar power system or wind system that not only produces energy but also stores it.
While you will be thinking about everything from getting water to generating electricity, one of your easiest off-the-grid actions will be to set up propane service. Propane can be used to heat your home and run your dryer, water heater and stove. Of course, you will need to find propane tanks for sale. You will find that propane tank prices differ by size but also by condition. You can purchase a new propane tank for sale or a refurbished tank for quite a bit less. At Thrifty Propane, for instance, you can purchase new or refurbished tanks. This company also gives free tanks if you buy a certain amount of propane all at once.
To keep energy costs down, it is recommended that you buy your propane when the propane prices are low. You might not be thinking about heating expenses in July, but this is often when you should buy your propane as prices tend to drop during the hot months of the year. For those who are concerned about the environment, it might also interest you to know that propane is considered a green fuel. No greenhouse gases are emitted from propane, which makes it a much better source of heat than wood or coal.
Of course, there are other off-the-grid items that you need to think about other than propane tanks for sale and learning about propane prices. Every home will need some sort of waste management system and there are a few options to think about. You can build a septic tank for your home, and this does require maintenance and special handling, but it can be a very convenient sewage option. Composting toilets are another option and certainly tend to be less expensive than building a septic tank but often these are placed in an outhouse and not in the home and that might not be what your family wants.
One of the biggest decisions to consider is how to get clean water, and you shouldn't even buy a property until you are sure that there will be some convenient way to ensure access to water. On many properties you can construct a well or groundwater containment system, but there are certainly some places where a well or other type of groundwater system will not be an option. These also can cost $10,000 or even more to construct, so this will be a big, but necessary expense.
Using wells for water, propane for heat and septic tanks to deal with sewage all have been around for many years, but what about electricity? You can power your stove, heater, water heater and dryer using propane in your propane tank, but for regular electricity, you need to find an off-the-grid source. Solar power has gained a lot of popularity and for many people, this will be the best option. It is important to note that while generally those with solar panels are creating their own home energy, they are still attached to the grid and the solar power is not being stored in solar batteries in their home. If you wish to truly be off the grid, you will need a solar power system or wind system that not only produces energy but also stores it.
About the Author:
Cath Buhr enjoys blogging reviews on propane retailers. For more information about Dayton propane retailers or to find local Pittsburgh propane prices, please check out the Thrifty Propane site now.
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