For most of us, living entirely off-grid isn\u2019t possible (or desirable). You\u2019ll want at least the bare minimum conveniences living on the grid offers.<\/p>\n
At the same time, you want to reduce your electric bills. You know about solar energy\u2019s ability to almost completely take you off the grid, but maybe you can\u2019t afford that right now.<\/p>\n
So in the meantime, what can you do to reduce your dependence on the grid?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s some of the top tips:<\/p>\n
1. Passive Heating<\/strong><\/p>\n This means using the sun to heat your home in the winter. And actually, the best you can do is plant deciduous trees which lose their leaves during the winter.<\/p>\n So, this means you have lots of window space facing the sun as the earth rotates. The sun heats your home so you don\u2019t have to use your heating source as much.<\/p>\n If you plant deciduous trees to block the sun during summer, that means the sun doesn\u2019t turn your home into a pressure-cooker then.<\/p>\n But, you\u2019ll want to talk to a landscaper before doing this. That\u2019s because you don\u2019t want to plant trees so close to your home that their roots damage your foundation.<\/p>\n You need to plant the right kind of trees the correct distance from your home. And you\u2019ll need a professional opinion to make a sound decision.<\/p>\n 2. Rely on Solar Energy As Much As Possible<\/strong><\/p>\n This still assumes you\u2019re not installing an entire solar energy system. Short of that, you can rely on solar energy to power your water heater or many of your favorite technological devices.<\/p>\n You can also get many outdoor lighting appliances which have their own solar collectors.<\/p>\n You may not depend solely on solar energy. However, you can use it to reduce your reliance on the grid.<\/p>\n 3. Collect Rainwater<\/strong><\/p>\n Ok, so water doesn\u2019t come from the grid. But you still have to pay for it. You can dig a well, but that costs a big chunk of cash and the water may be polluted (this depends on conditions in your local area).<\/p>\n However, you can build a rainwater collection system. It does take work to do. But, you can use rainwater for many purposes:<\/p>\n