The Campfire Trail: September 14 - DIY Homestead

September 14, 2022

Day 348 of the Adventure

Current Situation

We picked up the mail which included the basic utility bills for the Homestead for August. I'm happy to report that once again, the numbers are wonderful. As you probably know by now, we are not 100% Off-Grid but are partially there. Solar panels with batteries supply most of the electricity. We do have a system in place that can charge up batteries from our limited grid power or from a generator if the panels are not receiving enough sun light.

This month, the total electrical consumption for the entire property was $83 with another $31 for water. $114 total for the whole month. It works out to $3.68 per day. I think the biggest energy draw was once again the air conditioners running 24 hours per day. We know they are a heavy use part of the cabin this summer, so we just bypassed the solar circuits altogether and used a grid circuit in the cabin for them. Now that we are into September and the weather is a lot more moderate, they've been not running much at all except for warm afternoons. I believe I can expect all of it to drop significantly by the next billing cycle.

Part of the goal of the property here is to demonstrate how to lower overall costs across the board for living. Of course, we are still a bit addicted to our conveniences and luxuries, so I'm not suggesting or advocating a "caveman" lifestyle. We simply want to prove that a comfortable life can be had at an affordable cost.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “That is how you survive. See the world as it is. Not as you think it is. Not as you want it to be, or think it should be. Not even as it was yesterday. See it exactly as it is, right now.”

― Barry Kirwan

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia Costa Rica blend)

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