Do you live off grid? What were your biggest challenges? If you're not off-grid yet, what are you looking forward to? We put out a new GridFree Living video every month! Don't forget to subscribe to see the next one, and check out the rest on our channel.
We are 95% off-grid in The Far North. The house was connected to the power grid though we have installed solar; water gravity fed from a spring. Plenty of challenges but mostly settled down after a couple of years. Sorting reliable, clean water was the biggest challenge.
@@janicecameron3688 There's minimal maintenance to be done - just make sure you're keeping the batteries topped up each day, and give those panels a clean every 6-12 months. Any questions feel free to give us a ring or an email and we can help out.
So good to see other off-grid kiwis stories. Hubby & I moved onto our far north property 11 years ago. Had no power to an existing house. We get mega sun during summer & lots of water through our rivers during winter. So we got solar & had a water wheel built. But yes, being mindful of use & maintenance is a major. We don’t use electric jugs, toaster. Anything with an element in it plugged in sucks the deep cycle batteries dry. But hey! Haven’t paid for power in 11 years & I wish we’d done it sooner…… Heheee yup that tantrums & arguments we had starting out 😂. Was all worth it.
Kudos to you two. I love this lifestyle too. I've been living alone, off grid in caravans since 2014. Didn't have a tap (buckets of water uphill) or heating (except a hot water bottle) candles for light, etc. Every small improvement is a huge step and causes feelings of so much gratitude. Now I have a tap to my outdoor kitchen, a shed & a shower (instant hot water with a califont!) solar runs my fridge, my freezer, an inverter, water pump (shower) lights and charges all my devises Gas for heating & cooking. I live and breathe in nature. I have wild creatures all around me (although some of the birds are fairly tame now) flower gardens which the bees love, and fenced off vege gardens. I look out my windows at the bush, mountains and ocean ❤ I LOVE THIS LIFESTYLE ❤
We have been off the grid for coming up 4 years. We purshaced an off the grid property that was only two years old. It was pretty basic, and done cheaply. In the past 3 years we have up graded the solar system from deep cell batteries to lithium. Improved the access into the property by upgrading the colvert over the creek, and improved the driveway, parking etc. Installed a log fire. Built a wood shed, a Hen House. A raised, enclosed garden to keep the wild life out. Lots of native plantings around the property. Put in an small orchard. The only electric appilance l have given up is the clothes dryer and we use a Chinese laundry rack, or the clothesline. However we have the Air con running in the summer full on, as we have so much free energy to use. A part from a large covered patio area yet to be built we pretty much have it all. Everything going forward is cosmetic. We live in a great community with like minded neighbours and friends. Some people have this strange idea that going off the grid means giving up one lifes luxuries. Bonkers - as l mentioned before the only sacrifice l have made is the clothes dryer. I could never give up this way of life ever.
That sounds absolutely amazing! And you're so right, you might go without a few things but mostly it's just a different way of doing those things and the benefits of the lifestyle outweigh it completely.
@gridfree the one thing I never see in these videos is any kinda pricing no exact prices but putting out there the rough kinda costs these things take would be incredible to see
That is fantastic feedback, we previously haven't asked the people that we've interviewed about how much everything has cost them - just for their privacy. However, in more recent years we have started asking but understandably some times people aren't comfortable sharing those details. Josh shares some of his budget here: th-cam.com/users/shorts68fMd8x-F9Y?si=XyNzg32EEyTGLiz9 We are trying to gather this kind of information for you guys to make your transition off-grid even easier. Was there any specific factor you're interested in knowing a price range for? We are very up front with our prices for our Solar solutions - no hidden costs here: gridfree.store/collections/complete-off-the-grid-solar-kits
Now that we watch TV entertainment together connected to the world, these cute tips become the best touristic atractions, where you can organize a nice cyber event dating your followers or just enjoying a birthday paaaarty this exotic and wild, nobody must be left behind, nobody's alone anymore, let them web technologies work for you guys & have fun, enjoying extreme trips on the other side of the planet is.. cool🎉❤🎉
how do you make any of this a posibilty without have much to no funds and anotherone how do you even work up enough for it all this is imposibal with out some sort of hack like knowing someone or what ever else
Something you could look into is renting land, lots of people in our community rent land while they're saving up. There is a great website here: landshare.nz/ I'd also recommend joining our facebook group, people post tips, share their stories and even advertise land in here: facebook.com/groups/gridfreenz/
Do you live off grid? What were your biggest challenges? If you're not off-grid yet, what are you looking forward to?
We put out a new GridFree Living video every month! Don't forget to subscribe to see the next one, and check out the rest on our channel.
We are 95% off-grid in The Far North. The house was connected to the power grid though we have installed solar; water gravity fed from a spring. Plenty of challenges but mostly settled down after a couple of years. Sorting reliable, clean water was the biggest challenge.
I think the biggest challenge has been the wild animals (deer, pigs & hares) and birds, digging up or eating my gardens.
Also gale force winds
I have the batch kit. 4 solar panels. I'm a elderly lady here in north otago. Is there after care for my solar?
@@janicecameron3688 There's minimal maintenance to be done - just make sure you're keeping the batteries topped up each day, and give those panels a clean every 6-12 months. Any questions feel free to give us a ring or an email and we can help out.
So good to see other off-grid kiwis stories.
Hubby & I moved onto our far north property 11 years ago.
Had no power to an existing house. We get mega sun during summer & lots of water through our rivers during winter. So we got solar & had a water wheel built. But yes, being mindful of use & maintenance is a major.
We don’t use electric jugs, toaster. Anything with an element in it plugged in sucks the deep cycle batteries dry. But hey! Haven’t paid for power in 11 years & I wish we’d done it sooner…… Heheee yup that tantrums & arguments we had starting out 😂. Was all worth it.
I am the same. It those few months in Winter that you really have to think about. If you manage those months the others are easy.
Kudos to you two. I love this lifestyle too. I've been living alone, off grid in caravans since 2014. Didn't have a tap (buckets of water uphill) or heating (except a hot water bottle) candles for light, etc.
Every small improvement is a huge step and causes feelings of so much gratitude.
Now I have a tap to my outdoor kitchen, a shed & a shower (instant hot water with a califont!) solar runs my fridge, my freezer, an inverter, water pump (shower) lights and charges all my devises
Gas for heating & cooking.
I live and breathe in nature. I have wild creatures all around me (although some of the birds are fairly tame now) flower gardens which the bees love, and fenced off vege gardens.
I look out my windows at the bush, mountains and ocean
❤ I LOVE THIS LIFESTYLE ❤
Oh wow, your lifestyle sounds so lovely. Thank you for sharing your story!
We have been off the grid for coming up 4 years.
We purshaced an off the grid property that was only two years old.
It was pretty basic, and done cheaply.
In the past 3 years we have up graded the solar system from deep cell batteries to lithium.
Improved the access into the property by upgrading the colvert over the creek, and improved the driveway, parking etc.
Installed a log fire.
Built a wood shed, a Hen House. A raised, enclosed garden to keep the wild life out.
Lots of native plantings around the property. Put in an small orchard.
The only electric appilance l have given up is the clothes dryer and we use a
Chinese laundry rack, or the clothesline.
However we have the Air con running in the summer full on, as we have so much free energy to use.
A part from a large covered patio area yet to be built we pretty much have it all.
Everything going forward is cosmetic.
We live in a great community with like minded neighbours and friends.
Some people have this strange idea that going off the grid means giving up one lifes luxuries. Bonkers - as l mentioned before the only sacrifice l have made is the clothes dryer.
I could never give up this way of life ever.
That sounds absolutely amazing! And you're so right, you might go without a few things but mostly it's just a different way of doing those things and the benefits of the lifestyle outweigh it completely.
Great information, thank you 😊 Lovely articulate lady!
We are so glad you enjoyed it and it was helpful information!
Chea its looking so bloody awesome! 🖤
They've done an amazing job aye?
@gridfree the one thing I never see in these videos is any kinda pricing no exact prices but putting out there the rough kinda costs these things take would be incredible to see
That is fantastic feedback, we previously haven't asked the people that we've interviewed about how much everything has cost them - just for their privacy. However, in more recent years we have started asking but understandably some times people aren't comfortable sharing those details.
Josh shares some of his budget here: th-cam.com/users/shorts68fMd8x-F9Y?si=XyNzg32EEyTGLiz9
We are trying to gather this kind of information for you guys to make your transition off-grid even easier. Was there any specific factor you're interested in knowing a price range for?
We are very up front with our prices for our Solar solutions - no hidden costs here: gridfree.store/collections/complete-off-the-grid-solar-kits
Love it awesome 👏
Nice...what a lifestyle...Bit too old for it myself😊
I'm 73 next month and I love this lifestyle ❤
Good honest nz solar company👍
Thanks Richard!
“Many a job here has been accomplished with a bottle of Jack Daniels” gold!
Whatever it takes!
Yeah...Cheers
Now that we watch TV entertainment together connected to the world, these cute tips become the best touristic atractions, where you can organize a nice cyber event dating your followers or just enjoying a birthday paaaarty this exotic and wild, nobody must be left behind, nobody's alone anymore, let them web technologies work for you guys & have fun, enjoying extreme trips on the other side of the planet is.. cool🎉❤🎉
The Bynderwyns got hit by cyclone. I wonder if they survived
Glad to report that they are doing fine :)
What area is this im Maori and you havent said the name of the area properly so had no idea
It is near the Brynderwyn's, Northland!
The kiwi dream
So inspiring aye!
how do you make any of this a posibilty without have much to no funds and anotherone how do you even work up enough for it all this is imposibal with out some sort of hack like knowing someone or what ever else
Something you could look into is renting land, lots of people in our community rent land while they're saving up. There is a great website here: landshare.nz/
I'd also recommend joining our facebook group, people post tips, share their stories and even advertise land in here: facebook.com/groups/gridfreenz/
Forestry🧟🧟♀️🧟♂️😴🌎 Accountability!!!
They're doing amazing work in restoring the land from the damage thats been done from the forestry.
There is no accountability with forestry. They rape the land for $$$$