It's interesting to read the comments from the video posted on "Exploring Alternatives" Most replies are very positive and thoughtful. Some have great suggestions and some give us more reason to do more research as technologies continue to improve systems especially batteries.
Someone who has a similar size solar system accuses us of lying as she places higher demands on her batteries throughout the day and night. We have no reason to lie. We are not trying to sell you anything simply want to share our experience living "off grid" If you find property that is not close to the grid system it doesn't mean you can't live comfortably on it. For us it was cheaper to go the "off grid" route than pay 45-$75,000 to bring hydro to our location. Do we have equipment we run from time to time to make life a little easier, yes. We need to plow the driveway and at my age a machine is the best and easiest solution. The generator runs on propane. Do we use it every day NO but when we need it I'm glad we have it. On average it runs less the 200 hours a year. So lets look at our in-floor system
1) In-Floor Heating - We installed in-floor heating as we want to stay here as long as possible and know that cutting wood will not always be possible as we age. We have 4 Grundfos pumps that draw 0.75 amps Do our pumps run 24/7 NO. We have three heating zones and the thermostats are set at 64-68*F. Our wood stove provides enough heat to look after the entire house as we like to keep the bedrooms a little cooler for sleeping. Our house is built like a Thermos bottle completely surrounded by insulation; R60 in the ceiling, R40 in the walls and R30 under the slab. Our widows are triple pane and most face south giving us a huge passive solar gain during the day. Our cement walls and floor act as a huge thermal sink and store that heat giving it back in the evening.
Today is to be cloudy and our batteries were at 70% at 6 a.m. We will probably run the generator for an hour to bring them up to 80% - 85%. While it is running Mary will make her coffee and toasted English muffin for breakfast and I will use the blender to make a smoothie. We will also do a laundry and vacuum the house. Doing all this while the generator is running reduces the demand on our batteries.
We are just ordinary folks living the retired life we want as simply and as comfortably as we can afford to make it. We have no reason to lie or change the reality of our experience over the past 8 years.
If you are thinking of doing something similar then go for it. Take it a step at a time and do lots of research. Visit people who are living the lifestyle you are striving for. Ask questions and look at your options. There are many ways to achieve your dreams; don't let the naysayers discourage you.
2) GTA stand for the Greater Toronto Area - We live about 3 hours east and north of Toronto where land is much cheaper and building off grid is doable.
3) OUR AGE - 73 and 65.
4) DISTANCE TO HOSPITAL - 15 KM
5) NAAN BREAD RECIPE - Click HERE to go to the site Mary gets the recipe from. The Naan bread is so delicious as well as the donuts.
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Good day, Art and Mary!
ReplyDeleteI've just watched YouTube video about you and your amazing house. Honestly, I'm sure you are an astonishing couple. Thank you for sharing your experience. You a great example that it is really possible to build yourself an energy efficient Home as yours.
May health, love and prosper be in your home.
Thanks for the kind comment; greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI just watched your video and thoroughly enjoyed it. My husband and I hope to do the same in Maine when he retires in about 3 years. It always surprises me that there will always be someone who has something negative to say and the need to say it. The video was clearly describing how you live and not trying to sell anything to anyone. Wishing you both many years of health and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and we wish you all the best in your retirement years. Maine is a beautiful state and one we love to visit. Nice to hear from you.
DeleteI loved watching your video! So inspirational, we are restoring a 1700's stone farmhouse in Italy and we are planning an off grid life too,we are in our late 30's and trying to escape the London rat race. Wish you all the best and a healthy long retirement!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. Sounds like an exciting project with lots of challenges and surprises. I'm sure you will be delighted once it's done and you move in.
DeleteFirst I’d like to wish the 65 yr old a very happy birthday! Secondly, it was enjoyable watching your featured video. I have the same desire to live off my land and I’ve taken much of what you considered also, like one floor living, being close to healthcare and Mary’s desire to have maple trees for syrup. It was. Ice seeing your story being relatively close to GTA and I could relate. Thank you for sharing, be well!
ReplyDeleteHi Art and Mary Loved your youtube program what a great place to live thanks for sharing Myself Rodney and My partner Sandra are now in our early sixties live in south east of England my wife has some relatives in Canada we are not quite retired yet I am a self employed decorator paperhanger who loves wildlife and photography my wife is a manager at cranfield university and deals with some great events and weddings who also loves wildlife we got fed up living in the one place so sold up and just rented where we wanted to live normally in the country we now in a great place its a large bungalow I have my own pc come camera office where i deal with my photos my wife has got into crafting and is very good at card making etc she definitly got talent there we moved here because there is a small forest in front of the house some allotments the other side of the trees at the back an old couple to our right and some stables further down to our left it is a small one country lane I felt like writing because no gas here just electric so we have an oil tank at the end that takes about 2 thousand Litres we only ever half fill it about 1000 that is used for our hot water and heating and is quite cheap as it costs about £230-250 for 500 Litres depending on time of the year we had a septic tank too which has recently gone so we are now on the water system saves having to get that emptied every couple months I have feeding stations for wildlife in amongst our 9 fruit trees apples pears so attract birds like blue tits jays woodpecker long tail tits sparrows robins black birds and jackdaws and at night we get badgers and foxes they do tolerate each other will send you some footage from my nightcam if your interested well I wish you all the best for now you really have a place that's a number one spot anyone would love to live there I will keep in touch if thats ok I will check out your recipe Best Regards Rodney Lewis
ReplyDeleteSounds like you found the perfect place for the both of you. Please keep in touch. Send the night cam shots to my e-mail address: artkelly46@gmail.com
DeleteArt, you are a clear and succinct communicator! Thank you. Mary, our 5 year old is named Mary so we love everything you love! We are couple years into off grid build, going very slowly. Thank you for ideas, info and inspiration. God bless!
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