Living with Alternative Energy

by Tom Renk

My wife and I have been living “off the grid” since 2001.  Most of the time, we don’t even notice that we don’t have conventional power.  We have lots of lights and regular 120 volt appliances including a washing machine, refrigerator, vacuum, and shop tools (even a 5 hp. compressor).  Of course, we don’t use everything at once and we turn off lights when not needed - a habit we learned when we had a monthly power bill at our previous house. 

We don’t use electricity for heat-generating appliances.  Instead, we have a propane range/oven, hot water heater, and clothes dryer, along with propane baseboard heat to supplement our wood stove.

Our Hydro System

We’re lucky to have a small year-round stream for a hydro system that powers an alternator to charge a bank of eight deep-cycle batteries.  These feed D.C. power to a 4000 watt inverter that provides regular 120 volt power to our home, garage, and shop.  All the wires are buried underground.  The system runs day and night, all year round.  We have a backup 5000 watt generator but rarely need to use it.  Routine maintenance is easy and not time-consuming.

Why Alternative Power?

So why did we choose to go with alternative power?  First, we liked the idea of being independent, of being able to provide for our own power needs.  Second, we didn’t want to pay what the power company was charging to bring conventional power to our house.  We’re over a mile from the power line and at the time we checked (late 1990s), they wanted more than $30,000 to connect us with the grid.  Instead, we spent about half of that on our power system - and we haven’t paid a power bill since!

While we use a small hydro system, other folks in our area use solar panels and/or wind generators to power their alternative systems.  There are many properties in North Idaho that are suitable for solar power and some locations are good for wind power assist as well.  You too can say goodbye to power bills!

Check out All of our Alternative Energy Properties... HTTP/1.1 200 OK Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:41:22 GMT Server: Microsoft-IIS/6.0 Content-type: text/html MLS # 2082367 40 acres of remote mountain get away! This remote property offers spectacular views of the Pend Oreille River. The varied terrain has a nice forest. There is a small cabin and travel trailer. Water comes from a developed spring; septic and drainfield are installed. Good potential for small hydro or solar system for alternative power. Price :  $139,999 Bedrooms :  Bathrooms :  Square Feet :      MLS # 2083819 Custom log home on land with beautiful waterfalls! Custom log home on 35± acres of remote mountain forest land. 1800± sq. ft. home is professionally crafted and features vaulted ceilings and custom cabinets with marble counters. Separate 2-bay shop has room/studio above. New state-of-the-art solar system with automatic backup propane generator. Beautiful big waterfalls cascade down year-round trout stream. Property borders state land. Price :  $449,500 Bedrooms :  1 Bathrooms :  1.5 Square Feet :  1800     MLS # 2084563 Private 20 acres with nice cabin! Beautiful 20 acre parcel is private and pristine. Level to sloping land has nice trees. Solid frame cabin has one bedroom and bathroom and is already set up for alternative energy, with solar panels and generator. Well and septic are in. House has attached shop area and detached carport. Price :  $179,000 Bedrooms :  1 Bathrooms :  1 Square Feet :  1128     MLS # 2075065 The perfect North Idaho setting! Start with 10± acres of beautiful forest, add a rushing year-round stream, and finish with a cute little frame house with big deck and yard! There's also another charming little cabin for guests. Alternative power system runs all lights and appliances. What a get-away place - you'll want to stay! Price :  $249,500 Bedrooms :  1 Bathrooms :  1 Square Feet :  1200       Click here to see all of our property listings!