Could you run a house off grid?

[hoff135]

Would this be possible? I have a house ruin which is near 600m from the grid, not sure how agreeable the neighbours will be to getting access across their land.

It got me thinking if I could generate and store enough power myself, the though of no electricity bill certainly appeals. I'd imagine if I could use oil for heating and a car on fossil fuel it would be do-able but, heating and charging an ev which will likely be forced on us soon would be more of a challenge.

Very windy location, south facing and a small burn which has a bit of water in winter and could perhaps be utilised.

I'm going to be looking at getting planning in principle soon so I can put in access tracks, will also price grid connection.

 

[goldeneagle]

In theory yes, just need plenty of batteries for when the winds not blowing or sun not shining- if a grid connections into tens of thousands then this becomes very economical.

Get a borehole, a gas hob with a connection for a cylinder outside house and Starlink and your sorted. Its all about balancing electrical load then to generation/storage potential i.e only use dishwasher when excess energy.

Shame the green party have managed to orchestrate a ban on stoves in new builds in Scotland but that's what a progressive society looks like........

 

[Farmer Roy]

Lots of people do . . .


100 years ago, everyone did

 

[Farmer Roy]

Within the last 15 years, I have seriously considered a new build on 2 different agricultural locations.

both of those were going to be completely “off grid”


other reasons are why I didn’t go ahead with either of them, but the “off grid” part was perfectly feasible, cheaper & more practical than actually being part of the “grid” . . .

 

[Farmer Roy]

An EV is the PERFECT vehicle if you are completely off grid, cos then you are also providing your own energy source for your transport as well

I’m seriously considering an EV as our next “family” ( ie - my wife’s ) car, as we can charge it at home from our solar panels for next to nothing


edit - an EV can also be used as an addition to your battery storage, or as a backup supply to your house

 

[Yale]

I’m regressing closer to off grid, put in 8.8 kw solar with 15kw batteries, another 1.6 kw of panels to be installed on a third string, when the electricians come back. Just had a bore hole installed which is giving good quality mineral water. It’s the way forward not relying on society to supply essentials.

 

[hoff135]

In theory yes, just need plenty of batteries for when the winds not blowing or sun not shining- if a grid connections into tens of thousands then this becomes very economical.

Get a borehole, a gas hob with a connection for a cylinder outside house and Starlink and your sorted. Its all about balancing electrical load then to generation/storage potential i.e only use dishwasher when excess energy.

Shame the green party have managed to orchestrate a ban on stoves in new builds in Scotland but that's what a progressive society looks like........

It's a ruined house with chimneys, hopefully I can still use a stove, tbh it's going in anyway

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Neighbour is off grid, small wind turbine, solar, batteries (old forklift type not modern setup).
Uses a genny occasionally to top up batteries.

 

[Farmer Roy]

As far as water is concerned, practically EVERY farm here is “off grid”

we have always had to be self reliant on water . . .

 

[puppet]

Facebook groups on this. A modern home is very efficient for heat so a wood burning stove would go a long way with some ducts to transfer heat upstairs or other rooms.
A borehole for water but maybe also a ground source pump although that starts to get into some money. Grants available.
Panels and a turbine supplying batteries would work with a bit of planning for electricity usage.
Only on TFF when the sun is shining.

 

[hoff135]

It's all these new stupid rules that bother me, no stoves, probably winge about a back up generator, be no bother with oil heating and a car with an engine

 

[hoff135]

An EV is the PERFECT vehicle if you are completely off grid, cos then you are also providing your own energy source for your transport as well

I’m seriously considering an EV as our next “family” ( ie - my wife’s ) car, as we can charge it at home from our solar panels for next to nothing

You think you can generate enough off grid to charge though? I doubt I'll ever buy an ev by choice

 

[Vader]

Facebook groups on this. A modern home is very efficient for heat so a wood burning stove would go a long way with some ducts to transfer heat upstairs or other rooms.
A borehole for water but maybe also a ground source pump although that starts to get into some money. Grants available.
Panels and a turbine supplying batteries would work with a bit of planning for electricity usage.
Only on TFF when the sun is shining.

Had GSHP for years as no gas here and kerosene was getting expensive.
Property was due a refurb so put in all under floor heating (a must for heat pumps) and the heat pump.

Electric bills keep rising, so looking if could run it off battery's from solar and small turbine.

 

[puppet]

It's all these new stupid rules that bother me, no stoves, probably winge about a back up generator, be no bother with oil heating and a car with an engine

Looks as if legislation on stoves will be ditched but if a rural property then will be allowed. Currently waiting for warrant for a new build with a stove fingers crossed

 

[Bury the Trash]

You think you can generate enough off grid to charge though? I doubt I'll ever buy an ev by choice

roys got a bit different location than you

solar thermal here which this time of year does all our domestic hot water.

rayburn in winter on mopstly wood from the land we farm small amount of coal but thats it.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

It's definitely possible.
And with the batteries now available, you probably wouldn't have to compromise your lifestyle too much.
But online gaming, sat in a hot-tub while drinking endless cups of mocha cappuccino's all through the long winter nights, might be beyond it's limitations.

 

[Bury the Trash]

neighbours waiting for sodium batteries he rekons they are the next best thing safer than lithium to arrive from china so he tells me. thats a bit ironic really , coming from china that is.

 

[Farmer Roy]

You think you can generate enough off grid to charge though? I doubt I'll ever buy an ev by choice

people here are running irrigation bores pumping 100’s of 1000’s of gallons an hour of water “off grid” with solar set ups.

I’m sure charging a car is quite feasible

EV tractors will be something we are all looking forward to, then we really will be able to supply all our energy needs without relying on external sources . . .

 

[Farmer Roy]

It's definitely possible.
And with the batteries now available, you probably wouldn't have to compromise your lifestyle too much.
But online gaming, sat in a hot-tub while drinking endless cups of mocha cappuccino's all through the long winter nights, might be beyond its ust limitations.

just build more capacity into your system

 

[hoff135]

This is what I'm working with, from the back. Might get peace up there if I ever mange to do it