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tron4theuser t1_ixvggyg wrote

What is your biggest reasoning for doing this? You're going to have to prioritize certain things and be willing to let go of some. Unless you have infinite money and land. 😎

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pencil_2b OP t1_ixvmnv5 wrote

Do I need a reason? Obviously I don't have infinite money and land, but I'm asking about what's possible, not what's logical.

I need information before I can figure out what makes sense for me and my house/financial situation, which is why I'm asking in the first place.

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Next-Entrepreneur631 t1_ixvo68k wrote

Whoa… it was just a question.. no need for immediate attitude. Finding good advice usually does require answering a few simple questions.

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pencil_2b OP t1_ixvow44 wrote

Fair. I read this in quick succession with a comments that were not so neutral/nice so I guess I transferred the tone in my head when I read it.

In any case, I think I included the necessary information to get the kind of answers I'm looking for. I'm less keen on sharing financial and detailed geographic and house info.

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Next-Entrepreneur631 t1_ixvpwqk wrote

I get it. Good luck though and keep us updated on your journey! I’m very curious how it goes because we also have a colonial on a small plot and may decide to go a similar route soon.

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Murky_side_ t1_ixvylov wrote

> read this in quick succession with a comments that were not so neutral/nice

No one was rude to you, you're just a combative asshole.

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tron4theuser t1_ixw4o17 wrote

My background is in renewable energy. I do not advise going off-grid as this is a drastic lifestyle change and not the least practical. The transition can be done, but with any drastic swings, short term changes are never everlasting. The reason I asked you for priorities is so that you list what are the most important goals in the short term and what are long term goals.

The self defeating fact is that a colonial home is never built to be "off-grid". That's like saying that our cars are made to be retrofit for space travel. Can you benefit from some of the functions? Sure.

The biggest transition facing mankind right now is energy. We should focus on using less rather than how to generate more or from different source. It's pretty depressing for folks in our fields going to work everyday when it feel like we're barely making a dent with increasing energy demand. Rather than trying to go off-grid, for environmental purposes, try focusing on what can be reduced. This would be the best segway to a transition to your ultimate goal.

Just my suggestion. 😊

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pencil_2b OP t1_ixwenaa wrote

I appreciate your perspective. I'm not a professional but in the past I lived totally off the grid in a very rural area so I know what that lifestyle is like.

I live in a city now so we're not going to disconnect our sewer and water in favor of a well and composting system but if I had the space I'd consider it.

In any case, my partner and I have worked pretty hard to reduce our energy consumption and adjust our lifestyles accordingly. We walk to work. Don't have a clothes dryer. Spent a lot of money making our house as passively energy efficient as possible. Reduced waste and compost, and grow what food we can.

Now we're at a point where the only thing left to do is convert our energy sources.

Our colonial will never be as efficient as a well built straw bale house, but life is a series of compromises and we're doing the best we can with what we've got.

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