The Ultimate Guide to Living Off the Grid in 2024

Learning how to live off grid doesn't have to be hard. At a basic level, living "off the grid" means creating your own electric and water supply so you don't have to rely on main utilities. 

We'll cover why you might want to go off grid, how to achieve a sustainable living situation without government utilities, and some practical tips for living without connection to public utilities. 

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Why Choose an Off-Grid Life? 

What is off-grid living? Living "off the grid " means that you don't depend on public utilities. This mostly means electricity and water, but heat, sanitation, and food are also important. 

Preppers and survivalists should learn the basics of surviving without the main power grid. 

In any disaster - environmental or man-made - major utilities are often one of the first things to be damaged. 

The U.S. power grid is considered 99.95% reliable - but that's in a normal situation. Data show that natural disasters can cause massive failures. Puerto Rico's transmission lines were almost totally destroyed during Hurricane Maria in 2017. This caused over 1.5 million people to lose electricity for an extended period of time. 

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Additionally, our power grid is vulnerable to an EMP weapon or a direct physical attack. Either of these events would damage crucial mechanical parts and there's no telling how long it would take public services to restore function. 

Selecting Your Off-Grid Living Location 

Most people looking to live off-grid look for a secure location that can meet most of their basic needs. Many still want a town or city within reasonable driving distance as well. 

Selecting a Strategic Location 

To set up a system off the main electrical grid, you want to maximize access to basic needs and minimize threats. 

This includes:

• Water access - near a river or lake is ideal
• Semi-isolated - you want security but enough neighbors to build mutually beneficial relationships with
• Natural defense- building on high ground or in the forest means intruders have to fight the terrain to get to you
• Minimal weather threats 
• Fertile soil for gardening/farming/raising animals
• Wind for windmills or sun for solar panels 

Top States and Regions for Off-Grid Preppers in the U.S. 

There's a surprising amount of open space in the U.S. A good initial investment property for off-grid living includes:

• Low population density 
• Abundant water
• Fertile soil
• Weather that you can prepare for

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Good candidates include:

• Wyoming
• Idaho
• Alaska
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• New Mexico 
• North Carolina 

Clearly, these states vary widely in climate. Alaska has a low population density because of the dangerous winters and tricky supply lines. But that could be an advantage if you're pursuing self-sufficiency.

On the other hand, New Mexico might seem like the perfect sunny choice. Water is scarce there, making it even more important to make sure you have a good water recycling system in place. 

How to Navigate Laws and Regulations

You can't just buy a piece of land and build your ideal sustainable life. You need to follow local zoning laws. 

Regulations govern every step of building a new home. That includes:

• Building materials
• Sanitation requirements
• Agricultural use
• Water rights 
• Septic systems 
• Hunting rights
• Logging restrictions (if you plan to heat with wood)
• Environmental protections

Some areas allow for exemptions. Be sure to thoroughly research the area you want to try off-grid living in before you even think about purchasing land. 

Off-Grid Lifestyle Options for Different SHTF Scenarios 

Living off-grid can mean different things in different situations. Many people tackle it at a little bit at a time, gradually working to become more self-sufficient as their funds and skills allow. 

Difference Between Full Off-Grid vs. Partial Off-Grid Setups 

A fully off-grid lifestyle means that you are completely independent of outside infrastructure. You produce and store your own energy, water, sanitation, and sometimes even food. 

It's worth noting that full off-gridders usually use propane or gas heat in the winter.

So this lifestyle isn't about being fully disconnected from all trade, but rather being as independent and prepared as possible. 

Partial off-grid setups usually maintain connection to  some public utilities and combine that with self-sufficient systems. So an off-grid home might use composting toilets and a greywater system but also be connected to the main water supply for  backup. 

There are pros and cons to each setup. Some people seek radical independence and don't mind living in a yurt in the winter, relying mostly on renewable energy for warmth. Others want a more comfortable lifestyle but still want to be prepared for a major grid breakdown.

Mobile Off-Grid Living 

A bug-out scenario means you can't hole up in one spot. Some people set up their own systems for water and electricity in an RV or trailer. This lets them avoid danger zones or even just move around seasonally for better weather. 

Related: If you're equipping a bug-out trailer or RV, add an EvacPak Survival Kit for maximum preparedness. Buy here. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Legal Considerations to Live Off the Grid 

Zoning laws and building codes must be followed even when building a sustainable lifestyle, or you'll get into legal trouble. 

Even off-grid havens like the San Luis Valley in Colorado have constant problems with local authorities enforcing building codes. Not only that, but the isolation can make it easy for thieves to break in and steal the equipment that you literally depend on for survival. 

Don't assume that a local river and plenty of deer mean unrestricted access to water and hunting. Water rights are tightly controlled - wars have been fought over water use. 

Firearm regulations differ widely by state and some game is protected by the government. 

The bottom line: careful planning, preparation, and research needs to go into your off-grid lifestyle or it might get into serious trouble right out of the gate. 

Solar Power: The Key to Off-Grid Energy Independence 

Energy is the cornerstone of off-grid living. Solar energy is plentiful, can be generated off-grid, and can be stored in batteries for later use. 

The first step: decide how much energy you need to produce. Is this your main residence, or a bug-out shelter? Do you want to maintain somewhat normal amounts of power use, or go as minimal as possible? 

Make a list of all the energy-using devices you want to power. This includes:

• Lights
• Heaters
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Cooktops/ovens
• Signal boosters
• Chargers

Multiply the wattage of each device by the number of hours it's used per day to get your daily consumption in watt-hours (Wh) for each device. Then, add each of these numbers together to figure out your total wattage needed per day. 

Next, calculate peak sun hours per day. This is the number of hours per day that the sun is powerful enough to be used by solar panels. Most places in the U.S. will get between 3-5 sun hours per day. 

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Choose solar panels that are efficient enough, and spread over a large enough area (called an "array") to meet your daily Wh needs. 

DIY installation is certainly possible, and many company's sell kits to outfit a small shed or mobile off-grid setup. You can also pay a professional to do it, which many people opt for in their main home. 

Just like any other system, solar panels require maintenance. It's a good idea to choose a system that has available replacement parts that are simple for a layperson to fix themselves. 

What about when the sun's not shining?

Backup systems are essential if you go off-grid. Most off-gridders like to have solar batteries that can store at least three day's worth of electricity.

Diesel or propane generators are also a reliable backup and you can store renewable diesel for a long time. 

Firewood is also a reliable backup for heat, light, and cooking. A wood stove with a cooktop  is efficient and relatively inexpensive to operate. 

EMP-Proofing your Off-Grid Power Setup

Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) send a huge rush of power through electrical systems. This can overload and destroy delicate electronics, including the inverter that helps convert your stored energy into usable power. 

Building a simple Faraday cage over your solar inverter, battery, and switchboard, can be a good way to protect your overall system from threats. 

Water System Solutions for Off-Grid Living 

Humans can go days without food but only a few hours without water.

Humans have lived without municipal water treatment for millennia, and a simple well can be a reliable way to ensure water access. Most rural areas allow well drilling with the proper permits. Wells need to be inspected regularly for harmful bacteria or contamination. 

Rainwater harvesting systems miniaturize the water treatment process of a town. The rainwater is collected on the roof or gutters, stored in barrels, and then run through a filtration system to create potable water. 

In a high-threat scenario, consider equipping yourself with CBRN test strips to ensure that your food, water, and soil is free from contaminants. 

Source: Harry Cunningham on Unsplash

Waste Disposal and Sanitation in an Off-Grid Environment 

Human waste is one of the thorniest problems of civilization - it quickly contaminates water and soil, leading to fatal diseases. 

Digging an outhouse in your bug-out location is a good idea for a grid-down scenario, especially if you don't have the funds to establish waste-recycling systems yet. Be sure you dig it far away from your water source and any topsoil you plan to garden in. 

Composting toilets are favorites for off-gridders. This setup is equipped with bacteria that can convert human waste into safe, usable compost. Again, check the regulations in your area. If allowed, composting toilets provide a harmless way to reduce contamination from human waste. 

Gray water systems add another step of sustainability. Used water from washing machines, sinks, and bathtubs is run through a filtration and sanitation system, then can be used for irrigation or toilet flushing. 

Living Off the Land: Food Production and Preservation 

Solar, water, and waste systems can run pretty effectively once you get your homestead set up. Food is a bit trickier. While most off-gridders still rely on a strategic food stockpile, here are some key ways to become more food-independent: 

High yield, low maintenance crops: these will vary based on your region. Native peoples survived for generations on the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash. These grow well together and can be easily dried or canned. Potatoes are another easy-to-grow crop that is almost completely nutritionally complete and stores easily in a cellar. 

Livestock: When considering raising animals for food, think about the space and food requirements needed. Natural foragers like goats, pigs, and chickens are typically easier to feed and can even live free-range if you have the space.

 Keep in mind that you'll have to learn safe butchering and meat drying skills if you want to raise meat animals.

Food storage: Depending on the type of scenario you're preparing for, you'll want to balance portability with shelf-life. Canning, drying, and smoking are reliable ways to preserve food for a long time, but they are more time-consuming and not as portable. 

DIY freeze-drying and dehydration result in more portable preserved foods. They generally require more electricity use. 

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Essential Skills for Off-Grid Life 

It's not enough to build an off-grid cabin with sustainable systems. You have to know how to use them, repair them, and take care of yourself with minimal external input. 

If you're living in a remote location, you'll need to learn the basics of constructing and repairing a shelter. You might need to build additional outbuildings as well to shelter animals or equipment. 

Solar systems require regular maintenance. Learn how to replace a broken solar panel or a fried wire. Otherwise, your self-sustaining solar system could be completely useless. 

Off-gridders are full of stories about times when things did not go as planned. You might miss an important supply run into town or a bear might find its way into your cellar. It's important to know basic hunting, fishing, trapping, and foraging skills. These could keep you alive or stretch limited provisions longer. Don't forget that you need to know basic field-dressing, butchering, and meat preserving skills as well. 

Must-Have Gear to Live Off-Grid 

Once your homestead is set up, there's some essential equipment you'll need. 

Crucial Communication Equipment: A HAM radio is essential if the cellular network and the internet are disrupted. Learn how to use one now and it could pay off later. 

Many off-gridders use a mobile hotspot or satellite to access the internet while living off-grid. You'll probably need a cellular booster to access cell networks. 

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Emergency equipment: Part of living remotely means you're far away from emergency services. Wildfires can move quickly in forested areas, so equip each family member with a respirator like this one to keep you safe.  

In the event of a CBRN threat, you'll need a military-grade filter to venture outside. MIRA Safety provides expert filters with a 20-year shelf-life.

Security & Defense: Theft is a problem in remote areas. Place as many obstacles as possible between your home and possible intruders, like fences, locked gates, and thorny bushes. A well-trained dog is also a good deterrent to nosy intruders. Safely store food and trash to keep bears and other wildlife away. 

Tools & Equipment: In addition to the generators we talked about above, you'll need whatever equipment is necessary to cope with the weather where you're living off-grid. Some people keep a propane-powered snow blower handy. Don't forget about the basics like shovels, ropes, and tarps. 

Being Self-Sufficient: Living with Off Grid With No Money 

Off-grid communities might sound like a contradiction, but many places have a thriving off-grid human ecosystem. Vermont is particularly famous for this and even has quasi-tourist opportunities to learn homesteading skills. 

Trading goods and services is the foundation of all human economies. Even if you live outside of traditional expectations for modern living, everyone needs help digging their car out of the snow once in a while. 

Some off-grid communities create informal systems of exchange where they can trade resources and help. Traditional communities like the Amish still (partially) function this way. 

It's true that establishing off-grid systems like solar panels and water recycling systems takes investment capital. Learning how to minimize expenses to the absolute bare minimum is how some people get started with a stripped-down off grid living arrangement -even in tents and trailers. 

Source:  Petr Stradal on Unsplash

Conclusion: Embracing the Off-Grid Lifestyle 

Off-grid living requires careful planning and preparation. Successful off-gridders experience a sense of satisfaction in how little they can live with and how they can meet their own needs successfully.

Start planning now for how your family can reduce your dependence on a vulnerable grid. Even small steps matter.