What Does Living Off-Grid Mean?

What does 'Living Off-Grid' mean (and what does it mean to you?)

The literal meaning of ‘living off-grid’ means living in a way that is independent from all public utilities and infrastructure, such as electricity, water, gas, and sewage systems. In other words, people who live off-grid produce their own power, collect or source their own water, and manage their own waste. It can also include producing your own food.

It applies to those who live in very remote areas or in places where the amenities are cut off or unreliable; it also applies to those that are choosing a ‘simpler’ lifestyle. There are an estimated 75,000 people living off-grid in the UK.

If you’re over 50 you may remember ‘The Good Life’, a BBC sitcom following the efforts of Tom and Barbara Good, to live a self-sufficient lifestyle, sustainably and independently – much to the horror of their neighbours, Jerry and Margo. The story lines included raising goats and chickens, growing fruit and veg, bartering with local businesses for things they couldn’t produce themselves, learning pottery, knitting and weaving, and generally doing what they could to manage without an income. Little was said about the mortgage, rates (pre Council Tax) and gas & electricity bills – but it was for entertainment…

Nowadays, social media is flooded with individuals and families sharing their experiences living off-grid and it all looks pretty idyllic. But it’s worth remembering that the people sharing this lifestyle will have spent considerable time and money planning and preparing to get away from it all; the fact that they have smartphones, laptops and Facebook accounts tells you that they are still very much part of the modern world. Living off-grid with no planning is essentially becoming homeless – think The Salt Path – and can lead to extreme hardship – especially in the UK where the weather is so unpredictable.

So, what are the main things you need to know about living off-grid?

1. Legal & Location Considerations

• Zoning laws and building codes: Not every area allows off-grid living or certain types of structures (like composting toilets or rainwater systems). You need to check local and county regulations. There are ways around it but those are risky and require patience.
• Property access: Ensure year-round access, especially in rural or mountainous areas (snow, floods, or erosion can block roads).
• Land quality: You’ll need suitable soil, sunlight, and water availability in order to grow adequate food and to keep animals healthy. You’ll need to check what you can and can’t do on the land too and understand flooding risks, especially if you’ll be clearing woodland to plant or build.
• Emergency services: Consider how far you are from hospitals, fire services, and towns especially if the kids need to be in school or you have ongoing medical conditions.

2. Water Supply

• Source: Wells, springs, rainwater catchment, or nearby streams.
• Storage: Tanks or cisterns to hold reserves.
• Purification: You’ll need to investigate a long-term, reliable solution such as a LifeSaver C1 which will purify up to 500,000 litres on one filter. Most other purifications systems (boiling, tablets, reverse osmosis etc.) require chemicals or power, which add to costs and take time. Just because the water in the stream looks clean, doesn’t mean there isn’t something harmful lurking in it.
• Legalities: In some areas, even collecting rainwater has restrictions.

3. Energy Systems

• Power sources: Solar, wind, micro-hydro, or generator backup all expensive to set up.
• Battery storage: Lithium or lead-acid systems to store energy for nights/cloudy days.
• Energy efficiency: Choose low-consumption appliances and lighting.
• Maintenance: Know how to service your system — off-grid means no one else is coming to fix it.

4. Heating, Cooling & Cooking

• Heating: Wood stove, propane gas, solar heating, or passive design.
• Cooling: Ventilation, shading, and insulation – air-conditioning probably won’t be an option.
• Cooking: Propane gas, wood-fired stoves, or solar ovens.

5. Shelter & Building

• Type: You can convert an existing building or mobile home, or start from scratch with one of the many eco options available, including a cabin, tiny house, earthship, yurt, or container home – but make sure the local authority won’t object. Whatever you build must comply with building regulations.
• Materials: Local, sustainable, and easy to maintain.
• Insulation & weatherproofing: Critical for comfort and energy efficiency.
• Waste systems: Composting toilets, septic tank, or greywater systems.

6. Food Production

• Gardening: Know your climate zone, soil type and growing seasons
• Livestock: Chickens, goats, or bees — depending on your space and needs.
• Preservation: Canning, drying, fermenting, or cold storage.
• Self-sufficiency goal: Decide whether you want full independence or are prepared to buy in what you can’t produce. And if you're buying food is the nearest store in walking distance or will you need a vehicle?

7. Financial Preparation

• Upfront costs: Land, tools, systems, and materials can be expensive at first. You may have a property to sell but that could mean a period of temporary accommodation while you set up your off-grid home.
• Ongoing costs: Fuel, maintenance, replacement parts, and emergency reserves.
• Income: Remote work like web design, writing, blogging, virtual PA, along with crafts, farming, or bartering options can all keep the cash you need coming in, but bear in mind much of your time will be spent working the land, tending animals and sorting repairs – especially in the summer months.

8. Skills & Mindset

• Essential skills: Carpentry, plumbing, electrical basics, gardening, animal care, and first aid.
• Problem-solving: You’ll often have to fix things yourself and figure out ways of doing things that you may have taken for granted before.
• Community: Even off-grid, having a local network is invaluable for trading, help, and knowledge sharing. There may even be a community already set up that you can join rather than going it alone. It’s likely that whatever challenge you come up against, someone will already have worked through it. If you’re very remote, it’s the single biggest incentive for staying online somehow. All the answers you need are out there.
• Mental adjustment: It can be isolating — make sure you’re ready for solitude and self-reliance and, if you’re living alongside others, choose wisely. Everyone needs to be on the same page and prepared to go without a few creature comforts - especially at first. It will also be hard work; lots of tasks will take longer if you're doing them manually.

9. Emergency Planning

• Medical: You’ll need a comprehensive first aid kit, training, and an evacuation plan.
• Backup systems: Redundant water/power sources and food storage for if something goes wrong
• Communication: Satellite phone, radio, or emergency beacon if you’re remote.

So what key lessons can we take from off-gridders?

There are many off-gridder communities and individuals that have successfully stepped back from what most would consider normal life to forge their own path. We even looked into a few in our 2018 blog. As mentioned before, most of those aren’t online everyday sharing their experiences - they’re deliberately out of contact with everyone - but there are those out there that have great stories and helpful advice to share. Each and every one of them will tell you to do your research before you do anything. Here are some of the best articles we’ve found:

https://liveoffgrid.co.uk/what-does-it-take-to-live-off-grid/
https://sunnysimpleliving.com/7-things-to-do-before-moving-off-the-grid/
https://www.themudhome.com/offgridroadmap.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE8mg8drHb8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMxOXY_tmZs

As always, if you need help or advice on the best way to resolve your off-grid water supply, or have a story to share please don't hesitate to get in touch.