# Tell me what I need to know to build an (off grid) home **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035 "2022-01-01T14:07:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/201 "2026-10-22T15:08:43Z")
Is the plan for one or two of the group to be out there at a time and rotate through, or are certain members prepared to stay there extended periods of time? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/202 "2026-10-22T16:02:06Z")
Wow you’re making progress, I wish you continued success! Which island? I’ve been looking at island real estate, Beaver, Drummond, Bois Blanc? Beaver island ferry is a two hour trip! But I read all of these islands do have a year round population. I imagine getting vehicles and building materials anywhere is a bit of an expense. Some big houses out there I wonder how they get it built, and transporting supplies by private ferry? ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/203 "2026-10-23T03:45:41Z")
One consideration I read about with going off-grid. It was a few decades ago but seems like it could still apply. Most modern electronics, even when it is off, still draws a little bit of power. With solar power , you need an inverter to turn the DC from the panels or batteries into AC for the house. If they are made to produce a significant, amount of power, they can be very inefficient when they need to supply just a little. That half a watt that your electronics draws can force the inverter to draw 50 or so from the batteries. You may need to make a conscious effort to truly disconnect everything every night so that the inverter can completely shut down. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/204 "2026-10-23T12:17:14Z")
What I find interesting is that the electronics usually run on DC. So you take DC from batteries/solar, convert to AC (getting a conversion loss) and then back to DC (with another conversion loss). The problem with running directly (heh) off of DC is the devices want different voltages. It is certainly possible to step down (my understanding is that 48V is not uncommon for whole house solar), but with grid power at the site becoming more viable not sure it is worth it. A quick search brought up this thread: https://embed.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/phl211/48v_dc_to_usbc_pd_options/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share Brian ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/205 "2026-10-23T14:28:52Z")
And if you’re going off-grid, I recommend over-sizing the power sources a bit. My friend learned this the hard way. He and his wife retired last year, sold what they had, and bought a Palomino Puma 34 ft travel trailer. They then bought two acres of land in rural Kentucky, put the trailer on it earlier this year, and set up an off-grid power system using PV arrays and backup generator. Well, summer came, and he learned the system couldn’t power the trailer’s air conditioner. Am guessing he then calculated the number of additional PV arrays and batteries to power it, and… well, suffice to say, he connected to the grid. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55607719205_838804e04e_b.jpg "TH") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/194366829@N05/55607719205/in/dateposted/) ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/206 "2026-10-23T18:53:10Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > The problem with running directly (heh) off of DC is the devices want different voltages. It is certainly possible to step down Electronics has been stepping DC voltage down forever. The simple, old technology is very inefficient. A lot of the power from the higher voltage just turns into heat. Todays systems are much more efficient because they turn the DC into AC, change its voltage and then turn it back into DC. Yes, there is some loss at each step but, much less than the old methods. Using higher frequencies for the AC means that the power handling components, inductors, capacitors, and transformers can be much smaller and lighter. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/207 "2026-10-24T12:35:42Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > Is the plan for one or two of the group to be out there at a time and rotate through, or are certain members prepared to stay there extended periods of time? Yes. We anticipate using both methods in the future, as our schedules allow. And until the residence is fully built we anticipate continuing to camp there as well. Although we are making progress we probably have another few years to go until this project is complete enough to move in permanently. Also, I have a few more years to go until retirement and being able to relocate permanently. > [@chela](#): > > Which island? Eh… although a couple people have figured out which island I’m talking about I’m reluctant to be that explicit in an open forum. > [@chela](#): > > I’ve been looking at island real estate, Beaver, Drummond, Bois Blanc? Beaver island ferry is a two hour trip! But I read all of these islands do have a year round population. I imagine getting vehicles and building materials anywhere is a bit of an expense. Some big houses out there I wonder how they get it built, and transporting supplies by private ferry? Yes, everything going to the island we’re building on gets there by ferry. The published ferry fares actually lists the cost to transport, say, a single-wide trailer unit using the boat. For anything stick built the supplies also arrive by boat. For the ferries and construction companies out there this is actually routine. In theory stuff could arrive by air, as the island does have a small airport, but I expect that would be very rare. Boat transport is cheaper. [There are published fares for charter flights to and from Beaver Island](https://freshairaviation.net/daily-flights?tab=routes) which, apparently, are about a 15 minute flight but would definitely be subject to “weather permitting”. One of the things to remember about island living: the cost of transportation. Each of the islands you name have their own ferry(s), and those companies have their rates available on websites. Ditto for possible flights to and from. If you are thinking of living on one of those island consider how you will come and go (or not) during the winter when water ices over. The island we’re on has a ferry that runs year round and the boats are equipped with “icebreaker” hulls that can deal with winter conditions. Not all ferry services run year round. Some ferries cost more than others. Aircraft might work better than boats in the winter… but weather will always be a consideration. All of this transport is done by different companies. If you’re looking at island real estate be sure to check on the ferry service. Ask some of the year-round residents what they do in the winter. There are a couple of stores on the island, so basic groceries, hardware, and so on can be purchased on the island. They do have reduced hours in the winter, and most of the year-round residents take regular trips to the mainland to stock up on stuff, sometimes as far away as Sault Ste Marie. Conversely, you _can_ get delivery - this summer when we took the ferry we shared the boat with a couple delivery drivers and an Amazon van - but I expect you’ll be paying a surcharge because those vehicles need to pay for the ferry crossing, too. Which brings up another aspect about island living: although you’re not _entirely_ cut off in winter transportation becomes more difficult. You need to be prepared to be on your own from time to time. Populations drop dramatically in winter as the summer people leave and tourism drops to a trickle (there is some tourism in winter on the island we’re moving to, but much less than summer). Locals say that by spring everyone is ready to take a vacation/road trip because they’re all tired of each other and need a break. Some businesses close entirely for the winter. Remember - I started this thread 4 years ago, and we started this project even earlier than that. We did a LOT of research, not just on “how to build a house in the woods” but all sorts of different aspects of this project. Including “how do we get there” and “how do we get a _house_ there”. I would recommend anyone else considering a move to one of these islands to be equally thorough. One thing I did learn is that the locals are one of your best resources. The people who have lived on one of those islands all their lives have solved a lot of problems already. Sometimes there is more than one way to deal with an issue, sometimes there really is only one for a particular island ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/208 "2026-10-24T16:44:59Z")
I went to college with someone from Washington Island (Door County, WI). One Christmas 3 of us Door County folks (my mom had moved to Sister Bay my freshman year) carpooled. Rather than take the ferry (which does run in the winter, but a lot less often), his dad picked him up at the Ephraim/Gibralter airport (3D2) Brian ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/209 "2026-10-24T16:52:10Z")
Is there an urgent care? Unless it gives away too much information, how many people live on the island full time and in the high season? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/210 "2026-10-24T17:02:32Z")
nm. I realized I’m both assuming and possibly revealing more info than @Broomstick wishes to. Apologies. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035/211 "2026-10-24T18:26:00Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Is there an urgent care? Unless it gives away too much information, how many people live on the island full time and in the high season? Population figures would make it very clear which island it is with only a minimum of searching. I will say it is one of the larger islands in the Great Lakes, but not more than that. Yes, there is modern medical care on the island. In extremis one could be airlifted but aside from that there is an ambulance service, fire service, medical clinic… one of the long-term friends on the island unfortunately suffered breast cancer but was able to obtain all needed medical care without excessive effort and has been in remission for many years now. She did need to go to the mainland for some of it, but again, this was not unduly burdensome. There are a number of services for senior citizens on the island. We already investigated that. This shouldn’t be surprising as “old people” have lived on that island for thousands of years ('cause people always forget about the Natives/First Nations it seems) There is, of course, the possibility that we could suffer a medical emergency that exceeded the resources of the island. Where I currently live I could be run over by a semi and suffer injuries exceeding the abilities of local care as well. You take your chances in this life. Seeing as our intention, for all of us, is to live out the remainder of our lives in this place I suppose there will, inevitably, come a time when our needs exceed what the island’s medical personnel, or indeed _any_ medical personnel can provide. Frankly, dropping dead of, say, a heart attack in my backyard is not the worst of fates I can imagine. > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I realized I’m both assuming and possibly revealing more info than @Broomstick wishes to. > > Apologies. Thank you. Now I just have to keep _myself_ from revealing too much! 🤣 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-i-need-to-know-to-build-an-off-grid-home/957035.md?page=10)