An Off grid system refers to a house or building being independent from the conventional electricity supply line by generating the electricity it needs using its own electricity generators.
Off grid systems are particularly common among those who live in remote areas where connecting to the main supply line is expensive.
Nowadays, they are also being used on suburban houses that have the option to opt out of the local electricity supply line.
There are few different factors that motivate people to have an off grid system.
One important reason is the money they end up saving over a certain period of time by not having to pay the local electricity supplier.
Another reason is the rate in which it reduces the carbon footprint.
Having your own electricity system to power up all your electric needs would mean that you end up saving tons of green house gas that would have been generated if you were to use the local electricity supply.
In most cases, houses use solar panels and wind turbines as generating systems to get their house off the grid.
Assembling these systems cannot be done in a few days and sometimes would take months to accomplish.
Solar panels and wind turbines can be purchased for reasonable prices.
A notable new trend among those who go off grid is that they build their own solar panels and wind turbines.
One could go DIY for their generators if they have some very basic building or electrical skills.
Batteries play a huge role in an off grid system as they are used as the primary storage device.
Using deep cycle batteries is considered best as they allow reaching the deeper levels of storage which is a feature that may come in handy when using electricity at night.
Choosing the right electricity inverter is also important as they are the primary unit that converts electricity to its usable form.
They should also have the capacity to work with the additional solar panels or wind turbines that you may decide to connect over time.
Having other renewable energy systems such as solar hot water systems and dirt batteries would also largely benefit an off grid system as this could be used to power up water heating and outdoor lighting which consume a fair amount of electricity on their own part.
The energy efficiency of your entire house is very important when opting for an off grid system.
This would mean using energy-efficient electric equipment, keeping your house free of any leakages, having proper insulation, installing a grey water management system and following various other energy-saving activities on a daily basis.
Of course, going off grid as a family should very much be a combined effort.
Each individual may have to play their own part in conserving electricity and should take equal responsibility in doing so.
Opting for an off grid system would mean that you would no longer need to depend on conventional electricity and would have a great positive impact on the environment from your part since the electricity that you would use will be one hundred percent green.