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Yeah, but at what cost? I can you can do Pellet wood stoves instead of regular wood stoves.
Pellet stoves require electricity to regulate the burning. I looked into those as a backup in case of electric outage/furnace break down. Better choices are either a wood or a gas stove.
Actually it means not relying on "the man" for your electricity, water and other daily requirements
Which is a fantasy. Do you grow all your own food? Raise all the animals needed to produce fibers for clothing, then spin it into thread and weave it into fabric before finally sewing your own clothes? Do you produce your own leather, tan it, and then make your own footwear? Do you mine your own metals, process them, and turn them into tools? Moreover, will you produce your own computer/smart phone/internet so that you won't have to rely on "the man" for your daily shot of Twitter?
Pellet stoves require electricity to regulate the burning. I looked into those as a backup in case of electric outage/furnace break down. Better choices are either a wood or a gas stove.
There exists at least one model of pellet stove that does not require electricity.
There exists at least one model of pellet stove that does not require electricity.
Okay. Maybe the dealer didn't tell me the "whole story" because he didn't carry that model. I'm not a great fan of wood or pellet stoves, having grown up with a wood furnace and a wood stove. I don't care that they're "better" now; they're a lot of work, are significantly less safe than gas/propane or electric heat, and not very good for the environment since burning puts hydrocarbons and particulants into the atmosphere.
Regardless of what you burn, you will release gasses into the atmosphere. In my area I think that most homes burn oil, even though 92& of this state is forested.
Fortunately this state is near ideal for net-zero homes, using Active or Passive Solar-Thermal systems. Maine sits close enough to the equator that Solar-Thermal works well, but obviously homes further North might have more difficulty in this.
My land is too pricey, my geodesic dome is no good, geez I can't win with you guys . Anything else?
Yeah, it's too cold there, and good luck with a heart attack. :
Seriously, the place sounds great, and I'm with you regarding the planning, or lack there of, for old age concerns (And I'm twice your age).
There are at least three well known examples in SE Alaska of old timers living out on their own in remote locations until the end of their long lives. These guys were tough as nails, able to do physical labors at age 70+ that most young men would balk at.
Just last summer there was an 85 yr old guy from a small island town around here, without roads, found dead in his boat on the ocean. He was slumped over the wheel, died from a heart attack. I thought, "that's a great way to go out." Dying in a hospital has no appeal for me.
I know some people with off grid second homes. Beautiful locations, but expensive, a lot of work to maintain, and weather can totally isolate you. To die for views.
Everyone loves the idea of escaping from society but it's easier said than done ... Very few people live totally off the grid
It may be easier if you are only discussing the simple things like: building your own house, producing your own electricity, food, heat, vehicle fuel.
It may be more difficult if you want to produce your own fiber, textiles, leather, tools, shoes, mining, smelting, etc [though I am sure that we all know people who are doing these things individually].
I know some people with off grid second homes. Beautiful locations, but expensive, a lot of work to maintain, and weather can totally isolate you. To die for views.
When I was first designing our Solar-Power system, I met with two competing Solar-Power installers. The lowest quote was 5X how much our system ended up costing to DIY. That quote was over 2X the cost of our entire farm [land, house, solar, well, septic etc].
One of them said that he normally does work for tourists 'from away', who build vacation homes in remote locales, to visit a few weeks a year.
There are off-grid homes that are seriously expensive, and there are homes that are 'low-rent'.
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I can you can do Pellet wood stoves instead of regular wood stoves.
. Anything else?
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