LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE WHEN LIVING OFF THE GRID
I was inspired to write this article in the dark. Old style: pencil and paper by candle light, in solidarity with the other 60 million people all over the world participating in Earth Hour, a global outcry to turn the lights off for just one hour in a symbolic action to bring awareness to the threats of global warming.
For me, this was a small exercise in "conservation" that helped me recognize all of the lights and energy that I ordinarily consume at this evening hour. Though, for those people already living off the grid, that is, creating their own energy from the sun, wind, or water to power their houses, they live this experiment daily. There are more people using alternative energy in San Miguel County than you may have guessed. They may elect to do it for a variety of different reasons, but overall they love the experience.
Kelsey Holstrom, daughter of Kris and John, is a 16-year-old Telluride High school sophomore who has lived off the grid for her entire life. She lives in a house that gets its power primarily from 16 solar panels, a small wind generator, a back up gas powered generator and is heated by wood. Her home and organic farm, sit atop the breathtaking Hastings Mesa at 10,000 feet, in a community where the majority of her neighbors also make their own alternative power as well. This teen is clearly wise beyond her age when it comes to understanding her personal impact on the earth and is already instilled with the knowledge and awareness of sustainability. Conservation is as common to this teenager as talking on the phone, of which hers is charged from the sun. She admits that she has shorted-out the whole house by blow drying her hair and drawing too much of a load from the system when other appliances were running. Besides having to charge her Ipod, computer, cell phone, etc. one at a time, she does not feel deprived, rather she feels privileged to be able to live comfortably in one of the most beautiful spots in the area. She has taken her passions to a student run organization called YES: Youth Empowering Sustainability, where she hopes to convince the school district to adopt even greater sustainable energy practices and help to provide a model to her peers that teaches an awareness about all kinds of. Kelsey shares, "It is gratifying to live this way knowing that we are not contributing to the global issues of pollution and climate change, and to not be dependent on any one else's oil." She hopes to one-day write a book about utilizing and respecting the earth instead of fighting and controlling it.
Ryan Smith, local DJ and bar tender is building his first home in the Two Rivers deed restricted area of Ilium Valley. He has elected to install a grid-tied solar electric system. This type of system does not call for a generator or batteries, which can be toxic and difficult to discard. Instead, the grid is used for back up power on days the sun does not produce enough. Smith passionately believes that "It is irresponsible to build any other way right now." His 8 solar panels will produce all the energy he will need for his 1,200 square foot house. He and architect, Gabe Ciaffre, have designed an advantageous south facing building, using passive solar techniques, a very tight building envelope, LED and Compact florescent lighting, and energy efficient appliances, so that power bills will be obsolete. The entire system, with rebates and a generous installer, only cost him around $7,000. To boot, at the end of each year, the electric company will send him a check if he has generated more power from the sun than he has used. According to San Miguel Power, there are currently 42 net meter accounts in the county, that is, grid-tied homes like Ryan's.
The Ward family is a committed bunch to the off the grid life style, living comfortably in the extreme climate of East Ophir with their two young kids in the most rugged and wild of locations. Their 16 solar panels and battery bank require fairly low maintenance. Twice a year they add distilled water to the batteries to prolong their life. During big storm cycles or very short cloudy days in winter, their back up generator kicks in automatically, making their alternative energy system rather convenient. The only effort really is the attentiveness to energy use: nothing is kept plugged in (which create "phantom loads" that draw constantly from the system), and it is mandatory that every light is turned off immediately when not in use. Larkin, 4 and Caleb 2, already are fully aware of the meaning of conservation, and will tell stories when they are older of how their cloth diapers were dried by the heat of their wood stove, fueled by scraps from dad's wood shop. Andy Ward originally started living in a solar and hydro powered Yurt to experience financial freedom from utility bills, though for Amy Ward, the satisfaction is in the environmental benefits. She says, " I feel comfortable with my impact on the planet. It is a truly joyful way to be because it makes you recognize your place on the planet. We are so thankful we get to live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by national forest on all sides, yet just a half a mile away from our amazing community." The family moved into a "main steam" powered house for a bit, though decided that they liked the adventures of living partly up Ophir pass even more, so they moved back into an off the grid home to raise their kids. Their house is not accessible by car in the winter, so the kids are driven by snow-mobile into "town", though sometimes they get to sled down the hill to meet their carpool.
There is no better time to go solar than right now. The local and federal government is handing out fat rebates and tax credits to motivate and stimulate people to decorate their roofs with solar panels and start making their own energy. The New Community Coalition in partnership with San Miguel Power is offering a $1,500 rebate for solar thermal (hot water) and a $3,000 rebate for solar electric, which are only available until mid June. The Federal government is also offering a 30% tax credit which has recently been extended to 2016. The discounts are great and the sun in shining. And life is rich with adventure when you are making your own power!
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Be Well,
Daniel Kanow
EcoSpaces "Green Building Solutions"
Telluride, CO USA
(O) 970-728-1973 (F) 970-728-8007
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