Is it Possible to be 100% Energy Independent?

Is energy independence just a fantasy, or is it truly possible to live ‘off grid’ and generate all of your home’s needed power from natural, renewable sources? If you are considering doing everything you can to go green, energy independence might be your ultimate goal. Not only does it contribute to a cleaner environment, but it results in long term energy savings.

Going off grid means severing all ties with the utility company. You will no longer need them because all the power needed for your home will be generated on your own property. Sometimes, green homes are achieved by having wind or solar power transferred to them after being produced off site. Even if this is completely environmentally friendly, it still isn’t technically considered going off grid, because the power doesn’t originate on your land. Truly off grid living means being completely independent and generating all energy on your own without relying on any utility to deliver power.

Off grid homes are becoming more and more popular in the worldwide trend to go green, but they aren’t anything new. People who live in very remote areas have had no choice but to find ways to generate power themselves, without any access to power lines. Solar or wind power have been powering homes in this situation for years. The difference is that now, people are seeking energy independence and off grid living even with access to local power utilities.

Green homes can achieve complete energy independence and be self sustaining with power created on site, or supplement local power usage with natural, renewable sources. This can greatly reduce energy bills and be a great step towards energy independence. In some instances, it might be possible to produce more energy than is needed and sell it back to the utility company. This eliminates waste, helps to share clean energy, and can generate a little extra savings.

If going off grid is your goal, you need to carefully consider and choose a power source for your home. The two most sustainable and popular choices are solar power or wind power. When you’ve made your decision and done your research, you need to set aside the time and money required to install your system and make the necessary changes to your home. It takes a lot of effort to make such a big change, but there are government incentives and rebates in almost every state or locality to help to make the investment affordable. Then, or course, the investment will continue to pay off in greatly reduced utility bills for the lifetime of the system.

Switching over to renewable energy requires a lot of research and transition. If this isn’t possible for you right now, don’t give up on the possibility of green power. Contact your local electricity company to request green power options. If it is available, a company representative can tell you what you need to do to switch over and what costs are involved.

It is possible to be completely energy independent, but takes a great deal of research, investment, and change. Solar or wind power can completely power or supplement the energy needs of your home. For green living and energy cost savings, it is worth investigating all of the options.