During the first summer of COVID, many people were traveling and filling up campgrounds near mountains and deserts in New Mexico, but one family stayed put and embarked on a journey to live off the grid, which involved supplying their own electricity, heat, and water using solar panels, wood, propane, and rain catchment. This decision was part of the CNET Zero series, which focuses on climate change and what actions are being taken to address it. The family shared their experience of living off the grid, highlighting the mistakes made and lessons learned, as well as the cost-saving benefits and the increased understanding of natural and built systems.
In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, the family was living in a typical house in northern New Mexico when they decided to move off the grid to a small house made of straw bales and stucco in an off-grid community 20 minutes outside of town. The house lacked solar panels, internal electrical wiring, and plumbing, so the family decided to take on the challenge of installing these systems themselves. While the process was challenging and included some close calls, they eventually succeeded in fully integrating solar panels and lithium-ion batteries in their home. The decision to move off the grid was seen as the ultimate pandemic project and allowed the family to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
One of the primary sources of energy off the grid is solar power, which the family relies on for their electricity needs. They also collect rainwater from their roof and store it in tanks for household use. In times of dry spells, water can be delivered by tanker trucks or fetched from a community well. To conserve water, the family uses a compost toilet and recycles gray water from sinks and bathtubs to water their gardens. They also pay close attention to their electricity consumption, using a device called Kill-a-watt to monitor the energy usage of appliances and making conscious decisions to reduce their footprint.
Living off the grid has taught the family to be more responsible and accountable for their energy and water consumption. They have become more conscious of conserving these resources and have developed a deeper appreciation for them. The family has chosen to forgo certain luxuries that consume more power than they are worth, such as clothes dryers, Instapots, and Vitamix blenders. Despite having a surplus of energy most days, they continue to conserve water and electricity, aiming for a minimalist lifestyle that respects and appreciates the resources they have.
The family’s off-grid lifestyle has allowed them to establish a closer relationship with both water and electricity, leading to a newfound respect for these essential resources. Their solar energy system is seen as a magical piece of modern technological sorcery, and the family values the independence and sustainability it provides. By taking responsibility for their energy needs and actively managing their consumption, the family has gained a deeper understanding of how natural and built systems interact, empowering them to live a more sustainable and mindful lifestyle.
