Many years ago, the nation experienced a blackout that affected over 50 million citizens. On August 14, 2003, much of the northeast was without electricity for two days.
People could not cook, use hot water, cool homes, recharge technical devices or use computers for work. The economic impact was estimated at over $10 billion but the physical effect it had over the population was much worse.
It isn’t a question of if but when will it happen again and will it be much worse?
A natural disaster could cripple the power grid without warning. A rogue nation could hit the country with an electrical magnetic pulse attack that could devastate the grid and cause unknown trillions of dollars in economic revenue. No power means absolutely that.
Related: Preparing for Power Blackouts – Plan Ahead and You Can Weather Any Storm
Living Off the Grid In Emergency Situations
Emergency situations are the times when power might be out in your area from just a few hours to several days. It could be caused by a natural disaster. Tornados, hurricanes, ice storms and blizzard-like conditions can disrupt electrical power for days.
This is a list of the things every homeowner should keep on hand in the event of that type of emergency.
- Light producing products. Items such as candles, large flashlights, batteries, and lanterns can keep the lights on after darkness for safety.
- Car charger devices for cell phones and laptops.
- Battery operated weather radios and AM-FM radios.
- Heating resources that don’t involve electrical use. Outside propane tanks with in-home freestanding propane heaters need no power to work. Kerosene heaters are another valuable resource in power failures. Wood burning stoves for heating and cooking. Portable propane tanks connected to grills for cooking.
- At least 7-10 day supply of non-perishable food. Items such as canned meats; vegetables, fruits, and juices should always be stored for emergencies. Bottled water by the gallons should be stored.
- First aid kits and prescription medications.
Living Off The Grid Permanently
Our energy dependence for electricity is high because we want all the luxuries that our modern world offers. Learning to control how much energy usage we actually need for everyday use determines how much power is needed to live independently.
The installation of solar panels on the roof of homes is an increasingly common site across rural America. People are realizing the fact that someday, energy independence might be a way of life. The cost involved in solar panel installation is still extremely high.
Most people can’t afford the cost of a complete solar panel array but there are alternatives available. Many companies offer portable solar kits that can be purchased cheaply that can power several appliances at a time before needing a recharge. Investing in these portable solar kits can give you electrical power directly from the sun without wiping out your savings.
For homeowners, wind turbines can be another solution to electrical energy independence. You can buy turbine installation kits for a few thousand dollars each that will give you electrical power for energy needs. Wind turbines can be used to operate radios, televisions, lights, power equipment and most other electrical needs.
Another area of concern for living off the grid should be having a substantial water supply. A drilled well is essential to have a fresh supply of water to any home. Electricity is required to operate the pump but can be taken care of by a solar panel installation next to the well house itself.
A minimum investment in both solar panel arrays and wind turbine units can give any homeowner electrical energy independence without breaking bank accounts. One initial investment can bring both free electrical energy independence and self-reliance to individuals uncertain of the future.
Determining the amount of energy use individuals use now on a monthly basis should be the first step in the actual decision process of what to buy and how much to buy to reach that goal.
No matter how prepared individuals think they can be, none of us will ever know whether we are ready until after a major disruption in electrical power happens.
People that live in rural areas have the advantage over those that live in urban areas. A national emergency where the power grid fails would place extreme hardship on everyone. Many people will perish because they can’t survive without electricity. Those that do will have to adapt to a new way of living called the simple life.
Learning to live off the grid means knowledge of new skills. From gardening to hunting and fishing, people will have to become experts. Sooner or later, those skills will become valuable commodities in a world without electrical power, as we know it today.
