2022 is probably hitting a little different. We aren’t as comfortable or posh as we once were. Suddenly, the world is not such a big place anymore. Those far off battles and catastrophes don’t seem so removed for our collective consciousness. The global pandemic reminded us that the smallest incursions on the complete opposite side of the planet can be felt on the home front in just a few short weeks. How did a microscopic virus on a teen-tiny bat upend our little world in such a dramatic fashion? We were lucky in 2020. The next virus or global cataclysm might reduce society to the Bronze Age. With rumors of war clogging the airwaves, we find ourselves on the precipice of another global standoff. While the federal government became bogged down with its bureaucratic deficiencies at times, it still managed to guide the masses to the shoreline when society began to capsize. Similar outcomes might not be expected in the face of larger adversity. Now might be the time to consider an alternative lifestyle, and we’re not talking about dying your hair and join a punk rock band. Self-autonomy and self-determination are the magic elixirs of calming existential anxieties. We aren’t advocating for a complete upheaval of your very way of life, but the time has come to at least examine the merits of living off the grid.
What Does it Mean to ‘Go Off the Grid?’
Real Change Only Occurs When Are Forced Out of Comfort Zones and Pick Up a Hammer
When we hear the words, “living off the grid,” most people think about selling all their worldly possessions and joining a commune that relies on a neighborhood compost pile to nourish the seedlings for the upcoming growing season while toiling away under a brutalizing sun with blackened heels and an unsatiable appetite for granola. Those who are willed by the tenants of self-preservation may revisit images of Doomsday Preppers stockpiling ammunition and military meal kits as they await the final apocalyptic battle of Armageddon. We prefer the more moderate and logical narrative. ‘Going off the Grid,’ encompasses a sustainable lifestyle that is ecologically sustainable that doesn’t overly rely on manmade power systems and supply chains dictated by manufacturers. So much of living off the grid precludes being physically hooked up to municipal pipes and wiring that can be susceptible to mass outages during chaos. Instead, those with foresight might rely on a smally array of solar panels or a battery of batteries to electrify their humble abodes. Small scale farming is another important factor in going off the grid. Hydroponic growing has become a favorite technology in the community because nutrients can be dissolved in the water that surrounds with the roots with minimal upkeep compared to topsoil farming practices that deplete the ground for future growing seasons.
How To Live Off the Grid?
Going off the grid and living sustainably is not the complete overhaul most people imagine, but it does include some necessary changes and venturing outside your comfort zone. For starters, you’re gonna need to buy at least a couple of acres of land to built on and cultivate from. Securing a solar power system and backup power supply are also essentials. You will need to learn the nuances of water conservation and how that plays into growing sustainable food. Before you even thinking of building home, you should researching how to dig a well and bury a septic tank. But perhaps your most pressing issue is what to do about a house? With property values eclipsing pre-recession figures, you shouldn’t waste the monetary value of the dollar on these oversized and overpriced mini mansions. You’re going to have to start from scratch. This is also a great way to learn the ins and outs of carpentry, physics and engineering, which are all skills that will be highly sought after in a post apocalyptic world. Refuting traditional flimsy composite building materials is crucial to sustainable living. Most cheaper traditional buildings will rumple and break under pressure. And what will you do when it comes time to replace roofing shingles or vinyl siding during a period of societal upheaval? Remember, you can’t just drive down to Home Depot to pick up another load of plywood when things get bad. You’re on your own now. You must learn to fend for yourself.
How to Live Off the Grid With Elephant Structures
Not everyone was born to be a home builder. Even with hours of research, you can’t replace dexterity, knowledge, experience and skill overnight. You’re gonna have to find a couple of lasting shortcuts if you don’t want to circumspect catastrophe. One lasting stopgap to sustainable living is a metal building from Elephant Structures. But wait a second. ‘Didn’t you just tell us not to rely on the ‘Big Box’ manufacturers or chains?’ We did! Thanks for reaching this far! But Elephant Structures is different. Our team of dedicated engineers and builders want to make a building that last for decades to come. And like most respectable builders and manufacturers, we stand by our product in our offering an extended warranty. That means we want to get the building right the first time. Most companies that honor warranties don’t want to waste time, money and resources trying to fix old problems. We want to get right at the first strike, so you will walk satisfied and tell your friends about our superior products. We have zero interest in putting out shoddy construction.
Our Metal Buildings Outlast Traditional Buildings
Unlike traditional construction, our building materials aren’t designed to be replaced every 10-15 years. This is how most manufacturers and chain stores make their money. They’re not interested in building a whole house from scratch. They just want to sell you the bits and pieces so you come back to them to replace these fixtures when the time comes. This way, they’re also not responsible for the overall structure, just the bits and pieces, therefore reducing their liability while maximizing profits and dividends. We sell you the complete metal structure that can withstand winds that exceed hurricane strength and snow loads that can survive blizzard like conditions. All you need to do with complete the interior of your building with the guidance of a general contractor and electrician.
Going off The Grid Doesn’t Mean ‘Lights Out’
One common misconception with off the grid or sustainable living is the need to power down when it comes to electricity. While it’s true you should conserve energy whenever you can, it doesn’t mean reverting to Amish ways and not using electricity. It just needs you need to break your reliance on utility services. Once these companies experience a mass outage, the power might come back on for days or even weeks. Wouldn’t you like to be able to say you can just go out and fix the power yourself when it does go out? One great way to make your own energy is of course solar panels. These are easy to install and maintain, allowing for a consistent flow of electricity. A metal building or garage from Elephant Structures is the ideal method of collecting solar energy. Vertical paneling roof systems make a flushed and even surface that simplifies installation. Since metal is a natural conductor of heat and electricity, it only makes sense to install an array on the roof of a metal building from Elephant Structures. In a short time, you could meet of your home’s energy needs and even sell some back to the power company!
Fulfilling Your Growing Needs
If you’re going off the grid, you’ll also want to cut your ties with the grocery stores and even your local organic markets. Even most well-stocked stores only have enough food to meet the needs of the local community for a couple of weeks should supply lines be abruptly shut off. You’re going have to learn to grow your own food, which fortunately, isn’t all that difficult. You just need to set aside some time each night on YouTube to learn the finer details. But one of the more common crops overlooked in times of duress is hemp. Hemp is fairly easy to grow and is the most universal raw material at our disposal. It can be used for everything from food and rope, to textiles, clothing, shoes, insulation and even fuel. An Elephant Structures building is great for growing hemp and other crops, as it can be easily retrofitted with interior growing lights and watering systems.
