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In the event of a zombie apocalypse, going off-grid can be the answer to survival. You’ll need to build a life non-reliant on mains power, water and deep sewerage.
Forget the Bear Grylls Survival Kit – your home can become your greatest asset.
It may sound idyllic: a homestead in the bush, veggie patch out the front and frolicking naked among nature. But living off-grid requires some serious planning and problem solving.
Power and waste management, water collection and purification, and heating and cooling are just a few barriers on the road to survival.
GOTTA CATCH THEM RAYS
Harnessing the power of the Sun with solar panels is the tried-and-true method for meeting off-grid electricity demand in Australia.
Provided the Sun doesn’t get blocked out by nuclear fallout (wrong apocalypse), abundant sunshine can keep batteries nicely charged.
Credit: Nischaporn/stock.adobe.com
It’s critical to closely monitor your power consumption during the winter months when there’s less sunlight.
Alas, just say goodbye to your zombie-proof electric fence.
FRESH WATER FROM THE SKY
Survival is thirsty work, so you’ll need plenty of rainwater. Collect it straight off the roof and it’s good to drink, provided your roof isn’t dirty.
It’d be wise to also have a dam – kind of like a battery but for water.
That way, you can still get a drink during a drought. However, it will need to be purified.
Drinking unclean water can be dangerous, so you’ll need to remove any unwanted nasties, using particle and UV lamp filters.
BE COOL, STAY HOT
Many off-grid homes take advantage of the natural environment to achieve climate control.
Construct your shelter using insulative materials facing north to the Sun and you’ll achieve passive heating and cooling.
Credit: Carl Attard – Public domain CC0
Now you have power, water and climate control, what about dealing with your waste?
A composting toilet is a great alternative to deep sewerage.
In its simplest form, it’s a bucket with sawdust but they can get far more advanced with urine separators and exhaust fans. Apocalyptic luxury!
If your toilet is outdoors, the classic ‘Aussie bush loo’ or long drop works too – just make sure it’s nowhere near your water supply.
BE PREPARED
You don’t have to be facing a zombie apocalypse to go off-grid.
Plenty of people have disconnected their homes in the suburbs to be self-sufficient and lower their environmental impact and utility bills.
