Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Bountiful -> Non food preparedness -> How do you live without electricity?
Post Info TOPIC: How do you live without electricity?
mirkwood


Senior Bucketkeeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 1760
Date:
How do you live without electricity?
Permalink  

This is an interesting article.


http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/evangelista73.html


How do you live without electricity?

By Anita Evangelista    

Its going to happen. Sooner or later, the power will go off, and you wont know when (or if) it will come back on. This doesnt have to be the work of evil-doers, either. It could be a sudden ice storm that brings down the power lines. It could result from other severe weather such as a tornado or hurricane, or from a disruption caused by faulty power company equipment, or even something as simple as a tree branch falling on your own personal segment of the grid. The effect is the same: everything electrical in your home stops working.

For most modern Americans, the loss of power means the complete loss of normalcy. Their lifestyle is so dependent upon the grids constancy that they do not know how to function without it. How do you cook a meal if your gas stove has an electric ignition? How do your children find their way to the bathroom at night if the light switches dont work? How do you keep warm if your wood heat is moved through ducts by an electric fan? What do you do with a freezer full of expensive meat? How do you find out what is happening in your area with the TV and radio silent? What will you drink if your water comes from a system dependent on electrical pumps?

These are questions that both the Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency are asking people to seriously consider. Both of these agencies have suggested that preparations for three days without power are prudent commonsense actions that all Americans should now undertake.

Well look at these issues in the broad context of living without access to the grid, whether youve chosen to separate from it or whether the choice is made for you by outside forces. What you can do now to mitigate your difficulties if the power goes off in the future, and what you can do then to help keep your situation under control, will be the focus of this article.

The full article is found at the link listed at the top.



__________________

Why Food Storage:
http://www.rogmo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=205&sid=d52b2e6d8f75be0a6164ab9a14f4a08b
alabamabelle


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 494
Date:
Permalink  

Some very timely information, Mirk.

While we have a camping chuckwagon that offers us the ability to go off the grid for cooking (and yes, we have had to do so with an ice storm here in Dixie), we don't have a propane or liquid fuel generator to power other items of need (like the freezer). YET.  Santa has been informed of this deficit.

Years ago, we did a ward based experiment of 'let's see how well you would do for 24 hours'.  I think that would be a good primer for most folks to assess how prepared they are. the rules are simple. you have to act as if it is a normal day and try to do your regular activities minus the grid. it's harder than most people realize.

by the way, have you ever done the wash with a rub board in cold water in your bathtub?  if not, I highly recommend a trial run. It's an eye opener.



__________________
Cocobeem


Keeper of the Holy Grail

Status: Offline
Posts: 5519
Date:
Permalink  

Dude! I get that magazine. thumbsup.gif

__________________

Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid.  -John Wayne
Duke of Mirth


Profuse Pontificator

Status: Offline
Posts: 538
Date:
Permalink  

Living in a rural area, power outages are a pretty common place thing. We have probably lost power a dozen or more times this year. With some water storage you can still flush your toilets (we have our own wells that go out when the power goes out)and with a BBQ you can still cook. Flashlights and battery operated radios will keep you out of total darkness and connected to the outside world. We don't really worry about it. Long term we face a challenge with the water due to the wells being out without power but could probably rig something to get water out of them with the good old farm ingenuity.

__________________
Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)

As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
rayb


Hot Air Balloon

Status: Offline
Posts: 5370
Date:
Permalink  

And you living in the state you do... with solar panels, you could power your electric pencil sharpener, Duke.

--Ray

__________________
I'm not slow; I'm special.
(Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Duke of Mirth


Profuse Pontificator

Status: Offline
Posts: 538
Date:
Permalink  

Those pesky solar panels are for them city folks with the influence in Sacramento!

It is a good point though. A guy was telling me about his son being a first time homebuyer. As part of the deal they threw in the solar set up for free. In a bind, you would at least have something. I'm sure we'll see more solar in the next 20 years or so nearly everywhere.

__________________
Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)

As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
alabamabelle


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 494
Date:
Permalink  

I' ve only seen solar panels in a few places around where we live. We have seen a few wind turbines as well.

I've wondered just how that might play into the being prepared and all . . .

my own private grid. rumor has it you can sell back to the utility company anything above your own homes' requirements.

that might help me buy more goodies for the family needs.

__________________
Cocobeem


Keeper of the Holy Grail

Status: Offline
Posts: 5519
Date:
Permalink  

Maybe the most IN YO FACE aspect of this scenario is having your meds immediately and indefinitely cut-off.

__________________

Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid.  -John Wayne
Duke of Mirth


Profuse Pontificator

Status: Offline
Posts: 538
Date:
Permalink  

I am interested in some of the emergency solar panel kits that some places offer but I don't know how good they are. I saw one that claimed you could charge batteries (car type), run a television, or lights. Generators are great but they are noisy and eat fuel. It would be nice to have a solar option even if it was only to charge some large batteries and provide basic power needs. Anyone have one of these solar kits? Any recommendations?

__________________
Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)

As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
Dyany


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 345
Date:
Permalink  

I have a cousin working in CA on a project making much higher efficiency solar panels. We are waiting till he's done -- not only will they work better, but hopefully he'll get us a discount. :)

__________________
Euphrasie


Senior Bucketkeeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 1110
Date:
Permalink  

Let me know when that happens. I live in a perfect place for solar options.

__________________
I just like to smile.  Smiling's my favorite.
LoudmouthMormon


Profuse Pontificator

Status: Offline
Posts: 564
Date:
Permalink  

Oh yeah. I'd love me some nice solar panels. Keep us in the loop!

__________________
And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, seven hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.

Ohhh....
If I were a rich man...
Cocobeem


Keeper of the Holy Grail

Status: Offline
Posts: 5519
Date:
Permalink  

Me, too! Me, too! biggrin.gif

__________________

Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid.  -John Wayne
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Bountiful -> Non food preparedness -> How do you live without electricity?
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard