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Off-Grid LIving DOs and DON'Ts:
DOs
Most household appliances and lights use only a little electricity, easily supplied by the sun, wind and, micro-hydro. Solar electric homes convert most of their power to 120 volt AC to use as needed for household appliances and lights. Most common are lights, water pump, TV-VCR-Satellite, computer, stereo, vacuum cleaner, kitchen appliances sewing machine, power tools and office equipment. Even high wattage appliances like microwave oven, hair drier, toaster and clothes washer consume little power because their actual running time is short. Various water pumps, including deep well pumps up to 1/2 horsepower, are used. Special design electric refrigerators and freezers save energy in a solar home; gas and small DC powered refrigerators are also used. Plug appliances into surge protectors that can be turned completely off. Many appliances draw electricity 24 hours a day as they sit unused in standby mode. Avoid most large refrigerators and freezers: standard, non-Energy Star rated refrigerators have poor insulation and run long hours every day. Most still use well over 1.5 kilowatt hours per day, over 450 kilowatt hours per year. Special electric refrigerators and freezers designed for solar powered homes use only half the power of conventional ones. Propane refrigerators and freezers require no electricity. Building homes with passive solar heat design saves heating fuel for the rest of the building's life. Useing passive or active solar such as south facing windows with mass floors, solar radiant in-floor heating, tankless gas or propane water heaters will make a big difference.
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