I think so, more so than being grid-tied, at least. Like anything, it's never going to be perfect, but it's more sustainable than using NSP, for example.
Alot of off-grid homes are not energy-efficient tho. Alot. So many use propane & generators. Of course, NSP sucks for using coal & biomass. Stating that burning our forests as biomass via clearcutting is renewable energy is the biggest falacy ever.
It's 22F degrees outside and 65 inside and we don't even have a fire going. We're 100% off grid and our home is very well insulated. We use firewood and the house (wood frame and cement/stucco) holds heat better than most. Our kitchen - probably the largest room in the house - has a wall of south facing windows so that helps. We use a backup propane generator when needed (about 10hrs a month). Propane has actually been reclassified as a renewable energy source and stores more safely than most other fuels. So, you're right, some off grid homes are very inefficient, but others aren't - They're just as varied as those on the grid.
I wish it were easier (and cheaper) to retro-fit a 50s house to be "greener", but we're doing what we can as we can afford it. That place in Hawai'i is certainly an incentive to keep buying lottery tickets though! Hahaha!
But is being off-grid also energy efficient ?
I think so, more so than being grid-tied, at least. Like anything, it's never going to be perfect, but it's more sustainable than using NSP, for example.
Alot of off-grid homes are not energy-efficient tho. Alot. So many use propane & generators. Of course, NSP sucks for using coal & biomass. Stating that burning our forests as biomass via clearcutting is renewable energy is the biggest falacy ever.
It's 22F degrees outside and 65 inside and we don't even have a fire going. We're 100% off grid and our home is very well insulated. We use firewood and the house (wood frame and cement/stucco) holds heat better than most. Our kitchen - probably the largest room in the house - has a wall of south facing windows so that helps. We use a backup propane generator when needed (about 10hrs a month). Propane has actually been reclassified as a renewable energy source and stores more safely than most other fuels. So, you're right, some off grid homes are very inefficient, but others aren't - They're just as varied as those on the grid.
I wish it were easier (and cheaper) to retro-fit a 50s house to be "greener", but we're doing what we can as we can afford it. That place in Hawai'i is certainly an incentive to keep buying lottery tickets though! Hahaha!
I'd be interested to hear more about what you're doing in terms of a retro-fit, Nancy.
I lost my mind reading that NYTimes Van Life piece. If it was meant to deter people like Weaver, all the better. God I hated that.
So it wasn't just me then. Glad to hear. I thought it was so self-indulgent, lacking in humour, and pointless. Thank you for reading, as always.