| Everyone knows that energy prices are going | | | | - hydro-power using water turbines |
| through the roof and what's more, as a nation we | | | | - passive solar house design many of which are very |
| have to import the lion's share of our oil from other | | | | handyman friendly |
| countries that might not necessarily have our best | | | | - alternative energy concepts such as magnetic |
| interests at heart. This contributes to our growing | | | | energy allegedly using zero point energy Let's face it, |
| dependence on foreign nations for survival. The other | | | | we cannot live without electricity. Fact! |
| aspect of this is our reliance on aging power | | | | So how do we generate enough power at home to |
| infrastructure which is becoming increasingly prone to | | | | continue to enjoy our modern appliances? Generating |
| unexpected breakdown. | | | | electricity is a fairly simple process, the basics of |
| All in all, no wonder so many of us are now exploring | | | | which have been around for over two hundred years. |
| the options of decreasing this energy dependence | | | | You need a power source such as the sun, wind or |
| and looking at alternative energy sources with a | | | | water from which you will harness a low direct |
| more positive viewpoint. You may have heard the | | | | current (DC) voltage like that from a battery. This |
| term 'off the grid'. This simply means to live off the | | | | voltage is stored in large storage batteries similar to |
| electrical grid. It is now possible to generate your | | | | those found in your average automobile. To be used |
| own power and not only reduce your dependence on | | | | by normal household appliances, it is then converted |
| aging utility infrastructure, but say goodbye to those | | | | into alternating current (AC) at normal mains voltages. |
| ever-increasing power bills. | | | | Although it sounds complicated, these systems are |
| The power generating technology which was hugely | | | | tried and tested and you can even do it yourself to |
| expensive not so many years ago is now well within | | | | save a lot more money. The modern solar and wind |
| reach of the average Joe (or Jill!). There are many | | | | systems are low maintenance and operate |
| professionally installed products available which can | | | | automatically, without any help from you. The key to |
| achieve this end but there is also a growing suite of | | | | off the grid living is reducing energy waste such as |
| DIY energy generating products which can be built | | | | turning off appliances that do not need to be on all |
| and installed by anyone with basic skills and the desire | | | | the time, unplug appliances which are always on |
| to help their family survive the growing energy crisis. | | | | standby and do not leave lights on! Living off the grid |
| Off the grid systems include: | | | | can give you a new feeling of independence but like |
| - solar water heating using solar energy panels | | | | all things, do your research! |
| - solar electricity using solar energy panels | | | | There are many alternative energy concepts now in |
| - wind power using wind turbines or wind generators | | | | the public domain, all you have to do is ACT NOW. |