Photo: Anete Lusina

Can I run my house off-grid?

Solar panels Solar is a very viable method of powering an off-grid house. Panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient and solar panels can still generate energy even when there is little sun. There are also often incentives to help cover the cost and once installed, there is very little maintenance involved.

sunstore.co.uk - How to Power an Off-grid House - Sunstore Solar

What 3 items must always be in your car?

It may seem obvious, but you should always have your license, registration, and insurance in the car whenever you are driving it. ... Keep all of...

Last updated Dec 14, 2022

What gun do SEAL snipers use?

The SEAL Recon Rifle (also known as the "Sniper M4" and "Recce") is a heavily modified M16-series rifle intended to provide US Navy SEAL snipers...

Last updated Feb 9, 2021

Promotion

Solar panels

Solar is a very viable method of powering an off-grid house. Panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient and solar panels can still generate energy even when there is little sun. There are also often incentives to help cover the cost and once installed, there is very little maintenance involved. Solar is perhaps the best option for green energy as long as you have a south facing roof or spare land to place ground mounted panels. As long as those requirements are met, solar has around 5 hours per day of sunlight to produce enough energy to power the house. That energy can be used as it’s generated or stored in batteries to provide power throughout the day and night.

Wind turbine

Domestic wind turbines aren’t quite as popular as solar panels but they are an option. They are much more obvious than solar panels but if you live by the sea or somewhere with a steady breeze, wind can be a very viable way to generate renewable energy. Where solar panels have improved in efficiency, so have wind turbines. They are now smaller and more efficient than ever before. You no longer need a huge turbine taking up your entire back garden. A modest sized turbine could generate anything up to 10kW in the right position, providing energy throughout the day or night. Also, like solar panels, energy can be stored in batteries for use when there is no wind.

Ground source heat pump

A ground source heat pump, or geothermal can provide heating but not electricity. It works by drilling down deep into the earth where it’s warmer and using a simple pump and pipe system to warm water from the earth and pump it around your home to keep it warm. Pumps are very efficient and pipes can be drilled into the ground or buried horizontally under your garden. Either way, the ground heats a mixture of water and antifreeze and pumps it around your home to keep it warm. Ground source heat pumps are superb at maintaining a constant temperature whatever the weather for a very low running cost.

Hydroelectric power

Domestic hydroelectric power is rare but is a feasible way of powering an off-grid house. It utilises power harnessed from flowing water in a smaller version of a hydroelectric dam. Hydroelectric obviously requires a water source running through or next to the property sufficient to power a small turbine but if you have that, this is a viable off-grid energy source. Water power is almost inexhaustible. As long as the river or stream flows, you can generate energy. That energy can be stored like any renewable in batteries. In theory, a domestic hydroelectric system could generate anything up to 50kW but the locations and situations you can use it are very limited.

Hybrid off-grid systems

Hybrid off-grid systems use a combination of solar and wind or solar and geothermal. Wind and solar are the most common combination thanks to their relative low cost and ease of installation. This combination means you should have a steady supply of energy regardless of the British weather, which is why these hybrid systems are so popular! Depending on how much energy you would need to generate, a hybrid system wouldn’t have to be more expensive than a single source. You would use fewer panels and a smaller turbine in concert to deliver the required power so it wouldn’t have to cost much more at all.

Why do hunters quit hunting?

The most common reason (40% of people that no longer hunt) given was the Lack of free time. Reasons like Family Obligations, Work Obligations and...

Last updated Sep 14, 2021

Will Nintendo ever make a powerful console?

"We do expect Nintendo to launch a more powerful Switch console in the future, as it is clear there is demand from existing owners for high-end...

Last updated Jan 15, 2022

Promotion

What is the best natural water filter?

Our Recommendations Best Overall: Big Berkey Gravity Fed Water Filter. Best Under Sink: Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System. Best for Faucets:...

Last updated May 27, 2022