Want to Know How to Go Off the Grid? Here's What's Involved
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Whether you're an eco-conscious person or simply someone fed up with paying through the nose for your monthly energy bills, living off the grid probably sounds like something of a dreamland. With electricity prices set to rise again in the near future, an off-grid home can insulate you from these exorbitant costs while helping the environment.
The great news is that living off the grid is now possible - and for less than you might think. It's a tangible lifestyle that gives you energy independence, and self-sustainability. Thanks to increasingly efficient home solar battery systems, it's feasible to imagine a life free from the financial burden of grid-reliance.
In this article, we look at how to survive living off the grid, which will interest anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint or lead a self-sufficient lifestyle.
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What Does it Mean to Have an Off-Grid Home?
When we talk about living off-grid, what does it actually mean? The term refers to a lifestyle where people can survive without using public utilities. An off-grid home is often equipped with a solar setup like the PowerOcean Home Battery System, which allows natural sunlight to be harnessed for later use.
That said, electricity is not the only utility that we need in our daily lives. This means that learning how to survive off the grid can also involve being self-sufficient and free from 'the grid' in terms of water and gas - depending on how far you want to take things.
The UK's water is not nearly as clean as it once was, and someone looking to move away from using the mains supply might collect rainwater in water butts or source H2O from an underground well. However, for reasons of hygiene and safety, this water typically needs to be run through a purifier or filtration system.
It's also possible to become self-sustaining when it comes to gas-powered cooking and heating. Several alternative options are available, such as propane tanks, biogas systems, wood or pellet stoves, and electric cookers.
The Various Benefits of an Off Grid Home
As we already mentioned, a home solar battery system can considerably reduce your electricity bills. But how much? Well, an off grid home with one installed can expect to save hundreds of pounds each year on its bills, with the possible savings increasing further with larger systems. However, a long-term bill reduction is one of many advantages on offer.
Having a home battery solar system also:
- Reduces your carbon footprint - By generating your electricity, you lessen the burden on the national grid. This means the grid doesn't have to work as hard, minimising its environmental impact. It may only be one home, but it can make a real difference when tens of thousands of people switch to off-grid energy sources!
- Protects against power outages - When the grid goes down, it can leave homeowners completely unable to do even basic things for hours on end. However, with a battery, you're protected from this outcome, meaning you can just continue your day as if nothing had happened.
- Increases your home's value - A property that's able to operate as an off grid home is going to be more appealing to eco-conscious buyers and anyone wanting lower energy bills. As such, any investment to have a home battery system installed will likely be recouped many times over when also considering lower energy bills.
The Basics of a Home Solar Battery System
As you probably already know, solar panels (a.k.a photovoltaic or PV panels) can harness the sun's abundant energy to generate electricity. However, you may know how they can also be combined with a high-quality home solar battery to give you the off-grid living experience we've been describing.
Essentially, a battery like this connects to a regular solar panel system, which would ordinarily only be able to provide energy while the sun is shining, with surplus energy being sent back to the grid. It’s hardware that stores excess electricity that can be used at your convenience.
Learning how to go off the grid involves understanding the value of a durable system like this that can store significant amounts of energy. Perhaps its biggest advantage is the freedom to choose when and how to use the renewable energy it generates.
Choosing the Right Solar Panels & Batteries
So, you chose to take the plunge and have now learned the basics of how to survive living off the grid and what's involved. The next step is to find the right solar panels and home batteries for your needs. While the subject is quite complex, as everyone's needs are different, knowing the types available is a good place to start.
Solar Panels
When choosing solar panels for your home battery system, you'll have three main options to consider. They include:
- Monocrystalline Solar Panels - Offering a long lifespan and excellent performance in low-light conditions, they're ideal for homes with limited roof space due to their high levels of efficiency and durability. However, they are often the most expensive.
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels - A lower-cost option that requires more roof space to install due to its lower efficiency.
- Thin-Film Solar Panels - This type can be used on a variety of different surfaces - including curved ones! While they're less efficient than the two other options, they are often used in instances where conventional installation isn't possible.
As you might expect, Monocrystalline panels are a popular choice for off grid home purposes in the UK, where roofs are often on the small side.
Home Batteries
There are also a number of options to choose from when it comes to the important element: the home battery itself. Let's have a look at what's available.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries - Known for their high efficiency, compact design, and long lifespan, this type is widely used in homes and business premises across the country. While they are the highest-priced option, they also offer a high depth of discharge meaning more of the battery’s capacity is usable.
- Lead-Acid Batteries - These batteries are cheaper than lithium-ion options, but they’re not quite good in terms of capacity, performance or operational lifespan.
- Flow Batteries - While this battery option offers a long lifespan and reliability, the hardware tends to be too large for most standard homes. As such, it’s a choice that’s most often used in industrial applications where size is not as much of a problem.
As is evident, lithium-ion home batteries are by far the most suitable option for any off grid home because of their compact nature and supreme efficiency. They may have the highest upfront cost, but the ongoing cost savings are that much higher.
Interested in Your Own Off Grid Home? Talk to an EcoFlow Expert Today!
The ability to protect yourself from volatile grid energy prices while doing your bit for the planet is very much possible thanks to advances in technology. An off-grid home is within the reach of most homeowners nowadays - particularly with government grants and loans available to help you meet the upfront cost.
So, if you're interested in adding this type of cost-saving, carbon footprint-reducing hardware to your home, why not take a look around our website Homebattery.ecoflow.com/uk? Alternatively, to get a competitive quote based on your unique requirements, simply tap 'Order Now' for a free estimate from an EcoFlow expert.
