Rock on woman! That is a lovely large home! Methinks you need some servants though. I am also living in a dream home, a full sized road trailer with DC, AC, Propane, a mess of timers, inverters and transformers. I look forward to getting solar panels, a wind turbine would be ridiculously efficient at creating a load while travelling, and satellite internet is also in the future. Coming to a driveway near you!

I still recall the first call from Anatasia several years ago, and subsequent calls back and forth designing the system that she ultimately purchased from us and self-installed. It warms my heart to hear stories of how systems are working from customers years later. www.EnergyAlternatives.ca

I'll be thinking of Anastasia next time I walk around my house turning off lights in empty rooms. Some of us do a little to save energy and some of us will have good karma for lifetimes to come!

Hang in, Sister!! It's a rough way to live, I know. Lived without Hydro for years, and while I don't regret it... I do know just how difficult it can seem. I tried the generator route, too noisy, and it seemed to me I was just putting $$ in the gas and oil industry instead of the Hydro industry..tried Propane..same thing.. now, I live in a "modular home" (looks a lot like a trailer to me!) and yes, I have hydro but most of the lights are out most of the time. We do what we can do, and what you're doing is laudable.

My sister lives halfway up the province in a full size house "off the grid." The generator runs each morning for a few hours to power up the batteries, and then after that the entire system is electric: lights, appliances, dishwasher, convection oven, TV, computer, what have you. Are they aware of power use? Do they use flourescents? Yes. But are they comfortable? Yes. If the batteries get low, the generator comes back on. Designing & wiring an independent system is not "easy," but once done doesn't have to be miserable at all.

Hi Krista C, Don't get me wrong, I'm not miserable, just wanted to present another perspective. :) My generator definitely doesn't run every day, maybe every four or five in the winter and up to six weeks between runs in the summer. Each time, it's on for about five hours. I'm also entirely on 110V: fridge, freezer, computer, etc. I use propane for the stove, dryer, and hot water. What keeps me more conservation-minded is the high cost of propane. If you have money, nothing need be inconvenient and you could run the generator all the time. When you are struggling, perhaps it encourages you to pay more attention to where the power is being used and money is being spent. My generator also comes on automatically but again, it's the cost of propane that worries me. I'd probably fuss about the Hydro bill, too. :)

just a great story Iiove it

Aw, c'mon. Tell them the truth. We have the good life... Soon, everyone will have to learn what we have taught ourselves and they will not be able to take energy for granted. It's that behavioural change that I think will be the most difficult obstacle in responsible energy production and consumption. I sure enjoy my sun and wind and it's working in Whitehorse - I wouldn't want a power line! It would have cost me about $70,000 and my system now runs the critical loads at less than $20K. Life expectancy = 20 years and 15 for the batts. The 6.5 kW Honda monster sits there and is used to show people it works. It's a novelty. Jolly good work! JB

Look at the monstrous size of your house. Do you actually need all that? I'm sorry. Now I'm pointing the finger at you, when, of late, I've been quite the mindless accumulator of just as much needless gadgetry. But your story seems to dwell less on actually-not-leaving-a-huge-footprint than it does on the difficulties and joys of obtaining size 14 Birkenstocks in Smithers. I know I'll probably read this later and realize I've been too harsh on you, so I'll apologize in advance. Anyway, what comes through more than the environmental story is the tale of rugged self-sufficiency, which would be much the same coming from a forestry-lookout person, a guide-outfitter, a tree-planter or a logger. A hitch-hiker on a park bench might have much more to teach me.

Hi Johnny. I'm not quite sure what the size of my house has to do with my piece on power consumption and "rugged self-sufficiency." :) It was the biggest place we looked at but because it hadn't any Hydro, was owned by the bank, was under snow at the time, and had sat abandoned for a year (hello, mice), the price was incredibly low. Yes, it's huge (used to be a garage for trucks in fact), but that doesn't mean I use more power, nor that I am more of a consumer. What makes you assume it's full of needless gadgetry? Just because a place is large doesn't mean you have to fill it. I have 160 acres under regrowth too but have yet to cover every inch of them with junk. :) Besides, who has money for furniture/gadgetry when the vapour barrier is full of holes and the mice laugh at the wall panels? Good luck with your hitch-hiker!

Very enjoyable... I can almost picture you talking to the gennie. Nicely done. Oh hey, I was a hitch-hiker once, and yes, I sat on many a bench. (not that I'd have much to teach) =)

Hi Anastasia, I am glad to hear you got off grid and enjoy it.I think a home that makes you happy big or small is what is important.It seems you have it undercontrol so gratz on that.

Enjoyed the original story and watch the commentary with amusement. I'm proud to know you, not only for your literary abilities but also for your "roll up the shirtsleeves" gutsy lifestyle. Forgive the naysayers who unfortunatly came to the party but can't dance.

After spending only a few days in this lovely house in the middle of nowhere did I realize that Anastasia has maybe finally found something to keep her busy. I think I can say I know her quite well and must admitt I think she's taking the right route for herself. Even if she thinks she's alone, she not! I've never known a person with so many friends, and such a great family. Congratulations! You've done it! Love ya!

A great story well told, I envy your gumption and your quiet quiet house. Vancouver drones and hums on, it's nice to hear some fun alternatives.

I really enjoyed your story and spare style of storytelling. Like most people who just plug it in without a second thought, it's good to be reminded of the ingenuity and hard work that keeps our cheap power flowing. Thanks for the reminder.

Yeah, the damn generators pick the worst times to be tempermental, don't they? We're off the grid, on solar, in the Columbia Valley. I'm looking at adding wind power -- can you give me any details about your set-up? Model, noise level, problems, etc? Sorry to go techno-geek on you, but you'll understand, I'm sure. Thanks for your account.

Hi Kevin, Sure, if you click on the e-mail button at the end of the article and send me a note, I'd be happy to inundate you with info off-discussion. Let me know if it doesn't work. :) Cheers, Anastasia :)

Hi Kevin, Okay, I lied, the e-mail button doesn't work. :)Send me a note to PO Box 157, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 with your e-mail address, etc. within and I will get in touch with you. Cheers, Anastasia :)

I was delighted to read your tale.Always wanted to try something like it but always took the lazy way. But just wanted to say congrats to you,well done.

Just got to know you better . . . funny how that works, a tale well told.

Coucou Ana ! Ton article était bien intéressant à lire et les commentaires également. A French friend. Céline.

I have a couple of friends who talk about building solar powered homes and using windmills, I think to myself how 'extreme' they are, ha ha. BUT, after reading your story, I get a real sense of gratification to be able to create your own energy and to be free of hydro dependence. I got a kick reading the part about your Mom's visit ;-) Your writing is inspiring, and you should hear your Dad brag about you!!!

Hi. I like the idea of being independent of Hydro, not least because damming rivers causes a lot of wildlife habitat to be lost. However, on that subject, I've also heard that wind power kills a lot of birds. The only alternative power source I can't see any downside to is solar power. (And I have to say that I agree with the fellow earlier who said that, in general, big houses need more power to keep them lit, heated, etc. However, it's clear from what the writer of this article says, there were extenuating circumstances in the purchase of her large home, and she's obviously being careful not to be wasteful.)

Hello, Bird Lover. I'm not sure about other wind towers, but I haven't had any bird kill in mine (the area below is well cleared so I'd notice). Perhaps because my turbine is higher than all of the surrounding trees? Maybe just luck. I think the noise would scare them away as well. Regarding my power consumption, I don't heat my house with electricity or fossil fuel, so size definitely doesn't matter. And why would I need to light up my house? I have one, maybe two lights on in whichever room I am in at the time. I have often seen people with all their lights on, inside and out, but I'm not someone who likes to dim the stars or hates the dark. I also have nothing but compact fluorescents in my place. Interesting how folks project their bad habits onto others. :)