Family of 7 Living Completely Off-Grid in Northern Canada!
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Published 2016-07-27
They have 2 solar power systems to power everything they need. The first solar system is just one solar panel that generates 12-Volt power for their lights, cell phones, and music player. The larger system is a 2.5 Kilowatt solar power system installed on their shop roof with a lithium ion battery bank that powers their full-sized fridge, a chest freezer, washing machine, as well as a mixer, blender and a toaster. They have a backup generator but they only have to use it for about 40 hours per year during prolonged cloudy or snowy periods.
All of the water the family uses is rainwater collected from their shop roof and stored in a tank under the shop floor to keep it cool. They carry buckets of water into the house for cooking, dishes and showers. To produce clean drinking water, they filter their rainwater in a passive water filter called a Burkey (check them out here: www.berkeyfilters.com/).
The grey water from their kitchen sink and shower drains into a shallow grey water field in the backyard.
They have 2 composting bucket toilets and they sprinkle sawdust into the buckets after each use to absorb moisture and prevent smells.
For heat, they cut their own firewood for their Blaze King catalytic wood stove, and for their antique cookstove in the kitchen that they use for cooking and baking.
Jeff and Rose homeschool their 5 girls for a few hours each day and also ensure that their kids are learning diverse life skills like growing their own food, caring for horses, raising bees, and more.
We're very impressed with the clever solutions this family has come up with to make off-grid living seem so easy.
If you want to learn more about this inspiring family and follow their journey, check out their Gridlessness project — they have a blog and a YouTube channel.
Gridlessness YouTube Channel:
/ @gridlessness
Gridlessness Blog:
gridlessness.com/
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: /exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: @exploringalternatives
Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat Dubé of Exploring Alternatives.
All Comments (21)
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"Our oldest daughter keeps bees" Just wow. What an amazing childhood you are giving them. Good for you
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The most difficult thing ever would be to find a partner that would be willing to do this. It's a lot of hard work, but it's wonderful. This is my all-time dream, and I will do this in my country, in South America. I loved this!
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This family has cracked the code. What a great lifestyle - and what a great way for the children to grow up. Not without challenges, but doing it without debt. I am impressed!
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I was raised just like this with my 6 siblings —- only it was 1948...
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best thing about this video is how happy the family looks
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"We want them to learn to be great people" - Jeff, Rose, you're awesome parents!
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What an amazing life. You've got all the good stuff from the old days (cook stove) and modern day conveniences thanks to the technology of solar power. That's what I call a win-win.
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Best way to raise kids!!! Fresh air, playing outdoors, learning skills and survival, and learning the true meaning of happiness NOT in things, but in living simply and being with family! Not like kids i see today, like zombies always on social media and cant fry an egg. God bless yahs
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These people work to live, not live to work, simply brilliant
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I wish this family had a You Tube channel. I would love to follow them. So nice to see a Canadian Family making this work!
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You have tapped into a life that most people are afraid of in so many reasons. You're family is reaping the benefits of being close to nature and learning to survive without modern devices and appreciate the things you have at hand. My hat goes off to you and Rose for raising your girls in this way. God Bless your family!
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Your mind is probably healthier than any of us here that's for sure
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This is a beautiful healthy lifestyle the city is too polluted.A beautiful family.
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Self sufficient children..that is truly unheard of. Kudos to you Mom and Dad!
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What a change of pace to see a family who works together to live the dream. I love watching the girls learn, and do what they need to do, to become better stewards of the land, and to be able to take care of themselves too.
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What a blessed family. The world is crumbling right now, but they will continue to flourish
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Whoa this is a trip down memory lane for me. We lived like this, in BC when I was younger, minus the solar. We had a propane fridge and propane stove, kerosene lamps, a generator for movie night on Sunday. Collect water from a stream, go on crown land and load up on firewood in the fall. Same idea for a gravity fed shower, with water heated up on the stove. I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. It reminded me of a time that was much more simple in my life, that I miss terribly, and want to go back to. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Living off grid. No debt. No worries. Free to be you. This is absolute freedom. You guys are living the dream!
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British Columbia is beautiful. My son live there and loves it. The weather is so pleasant. I live in Ontario and the winter is way rougher. I left Toronto and bought a house n the country that is a fifteen minute walk to the lake. I am just getting my gardens set up so that I can be as self sufficient as I can. I also want to keep bees, and preserve everything I can. I am 62 and live alone, so it is a bit of work, but I love it. I just moved here in October, so I am really enjoying the first spring here, and discovering all the lovely plants that came with my new really small home. This family is doing the right thing, but it’s not for everyone.
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this family of 7 found their joy of life that not many people will anytime soon which is wonderfull
