Difference between revisions of "Live without Electricity"

#Invest in alternative energy. If you are planning on living without electricity, then you are going to have to find other ways to power your home without the help of electricity companies. Renewable energy sources are an excellent way to do this. [[Build a Solar Panel | Install solar panels]] to harness the power of the sun, [[Build a Wind Turbine | build wind turbines,]] or power your home through a [[Make Your Own Electricity | hydropower system.]] You may also consider [[Build a Generator | installing a generator]] so you can power your own electric items.<ref name="rf1">http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Sustainable_Living_Homestead</ref>

#Plan out your lighting system. There are several viable options for how to best light your house. One of the best is the kerosene lantern. You could also use [[Use and Maintain Kerosene Lamps | kerosene wick lamps,]] candles, and battery-charged camping lanterns. It’s also important to have flashlights on hand for when you need to get up in the middle of the night but don’t have any lights to turn on.<ref name="rf2">http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/living-without-electricity-zmaz80ndzraw.aspx</ref>

#Winterize your house. This means [[Insulate Your Home | adding extra insulation to your house’s walls,]] particularly in the attic and around doorways. Heat escapes under doorways, around windows and through the upper regions of the house. Create an insulation system that will let as little heat escape as possible. Buy door sweeps to block up the undersides of doors.<ref name="rf3">https://www.shoremortgage.com/blog-archive/shore-blog/2013/12/17/how-to-winterize-your-home-in-5-steps</ref>

#Consider central heating. If you do not have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you should seriously consider building one, especially if you live in a cold climate. To heat other rooms in the house, you can consider building vents onto your fireplace that lead to the other rooms.<ref name="rf2" />

#Raise livestock. If you have the space to do so, you should consider raising livestock. [[Raise Cattle | Cows]], [[Start a Goat Farm | goats]], and sheep are all excellent dairy sources, chickens provide eggs and meat, and [[Raise Pigs | pigs]] can help you compost as well as provide you with food. You can sell, trade, or keep what your livestock produces.<ref name="rf4">http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/self-sufficient-homestead-zm0z11zkon.aspx#axzz2pjegsaqp</ref>

#[[Make an Emergency Kit | Make an emergency kit.]] Aside from water and non perishable foods, there are some other basic items that every household should have in their emergency kit. These items include: a flashlight, extra batteries, a multipurpose tool (such as a Swiss Army knife), a manual can opener, seven days worth of your medications, sanitation items, extra cash, a portable radio, and an emergency blanket.<ref name="rf5">http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit</ref>

#[[Prepare a Basic First Aid Kit | Put together a first aid kit.]] In a power outage, you never know what might happen (or who might need doctoring.) Because of this, it is strongly recommended that you keep a first aid kit in your house. You can buy first aid kits that are fully stocked, or put your own kit together. For a full list of all of the items you should put in your first aid kit, click [[Create a Home First Aid Kit | here.]]<ref name="rf6">http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy</ref>

#Store non-perishable food. These food items should be easy to make or, even better, take no preparation at all. If you do not have access to a heat source, such as a grill or camp stove (which are covered in Part Two) then you should mostly stockpile non-perishables that do not need to be cooked.<ref name="rf7">http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--577/power-outage-food-safety.asp</ref>

#Determine what you will do for heat. If you have a fireplace, it would be a good idea to stockpile wood. Close off rooms that are not being used because what little heat you do have will spread out throughout the house. You could also consider investing in a kerosene heater. While these heaters will warm the house, they must be placed near a vent or else they could lead to carbon monoxide build up.<ref name="rf8">http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/evangelista73.html</ref>

#[[Save Food During a Power Outage | Keep perishables in your fridge cold.]] The best way to do this is by purchasing a block of dry ice, wrapping it in newspaper, and placing it in your refrigerator. Find out where you can purchase dry ice today, so you know where to go in case of an emergency.<ref name="rf7" />

#*Exceptions to this rule are hard cheeses, processed cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, butter/margarine, and bread.<ref name="rf7" />

#Cook on your gas stove. If you are lucky enough to have a gas stove during a power outage, then you should be fine when it comes to cooking your food. You will have to light the ranges by hand, but other than that, you should be good to go. If, however, you have an electric stove, alternative cooking methods are listed below.<ref name="rf9">http://www.sceg.com/en/public-safety/safety-during-power-outages/</ref>