01-08-2016, 04:01 AM
yes, we are off-grid. we went the 'good solar system' route. it runs our core components - fridge, water pump, lights, microwave, internet, tv, etc.
We also have solar hot water - the most efficient method to heat water, afaik.
We only use propane where we have to - oven, dryer, paloma, and our heater (we're in mtn view). Can't get around the oven. The dryer could actually be minimized on a sunny day by using a clothes line, and the the paloma is just a backup/supplement to our solar hot water. The heater actually uses the most propane out of all of them, but we only have a small space to heat, and the cost/reward ratio is really good for us.
Propane is expensive and a fairly decent work commitment to keep up with it (unless you get a big tank and have delivery, but that's even more expensive).
Best route to go is solar for as much as possible. I would avoid a propane fridge.
We had a 12v DC fridge for a while, and it broke and was expensive to maintain. I would avoid that route also. Best bet is a cheap fridge from home depot. They deliver it, there's a decent warranty, and it's literally plug and play.
We also have solar hot water - the most efficient method to heat water, afaik.
We only use propane where we have to - oven, dryer, paloma, and our heater (we're in mtn view). Can't get around the oven. The dryer could actually be minimized on a sunny day by using a clothes line, and the the paloma is just a backup/supplement to our solar hot water. The heater actually uses the most propane out of all of them, but we only have a small space to heat, and the cost/reward ratio is really good for us.
Propane is expensive and a fairly decent work commitment to keep up with it (unless you get a big tank and have delivery, but that's even more expensive).
Best route to go is solar for as much as possible. I would avoid a propane fridge.
We had a 12v DC fridge for a while, and it broke and was expensive to maintain. I would avoid that route also. Best bet is a cheap fridge from home depot. They deliver it, there's a decent warranty, and it's literally plug and play.