Could you live without electricity?

**forestdale** · 03-29-2005, 06:20 PM

Assuming you could run your computer from batteries, could you live without electricity? It would mean no electric light, stove, no airconditioning, TV, washing machine, dryer etc. You'd have to have an ice box or run a gas fridge.

It would also mean warm fires, candle or lamp light, a fuel stove. It paints a romantic picture of cozy nights around the fire with the family, but would you, or could you, do it?

**QuilterMom** · 03-29-2005, 06:30 PM

I voted yes, for a short while (13 days from hurricane Frances counts, right? LOL).

It would be very hard here without a/c during some months. I suppose that would be a different story if you'd never been accustomed to a/c in the first place though.

I also do not like the no washing machine part.

Seriously though, I am very interested in solar power, wind power, etc. and trying to implement what we can in the future.

**Daphne** · 03-29-2005, 06:46 PM

I will say yes because I had to do it when Hurricane Isabel hit us here. But I will also be honest with you and I pray I never have to do it again. I can handle camping but living day to day I need my electricity!!

**Mom23boys** · 03-29-2005, 07:01 PM

I said yes, but only for a short while. We have had to do it during a ice storm before. It wasn't fun trying to keep warm and the boys bundled to keep from freezing. We didn't have a fireplace either, so trying to get heat was not easy.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-29-2005, 07:20 PM

I voted yes but only for a short time only because we live where we live and we need to have an electric fan on our furnace when its 40 below outside.

**Dixie** · 03-29-2005, 09:43 PM

I could. Growing up, I lived with my Homesteading, "back to the lander", Uncle and Aunt for a short while. They had no electricity, running water or any other modern convenience. I loved the summer I spent with them. I admit, it would be hard trying to get used to no A/C, in the hot summer months, here in GA, but I could endure,I think.

**sunshine** · 03-29-2005, 11:21 PM

We've done it for several days to a couple weeks, due to weather and rural power outages.

We have hand pumps on the well, so we have water, and can flush the toliet as well. I can do laundry in the bathtub with plungers to agitate the clothes and my mop wringer to wring the clothes-- we hang most of them anyway.

We have lots of books, games, crafts to keep us occupied. . . .

Wood stove for heat and cooking if needed. . . . .

We can do it--- but I'd miss some things- like my freezer :O

**bamamomto4** · 03-29-2005, 11:52 PM

I voted No! Sure,I could for a few days if I had to,but would I on purpose...no.

**nodmicks** · 03-29-2005, 11:55 PM

Nope. No electric means no sump. Which might equal 6 ft of water in the basement again. Heaven forbid!
If not for that fact I'd say yes for a while. I see my Amish neighbors do it daily. Of course they are much harder working!
Also in the winter without the furnace heating the crawl space pipes freeze. We do have a wood stove 4 above freezing temps.

**Julia Kimber** · 03-30-2005, 03:26 AM

I voted 'No', a few days if it was essential but that's it!

Julia

**SewCrafty** · 03-30-2005, 04:46 AM

Not wild about the idea myself, but have done it in power outages also. The worse thing for us is no water!! BTDT and I don't ever want to to that again!

**Rowanberry** · 03-30-2005, 04:52 AM

I voted yes for a short while because it would cause havoc with my freezer system and stockpile. we had a powercut last year that lasted 17 hours and we managed quite well. the chidlren had no tv etc and ended up going to bed early and playing card games which was kind of fun. We have no central heating anyway, just a woodstove and a large cooking range which manages without electricity but uses bottled gas. Quite like the idea of being independent from the grid.

**DaisyLady** · 03-30-2005, 06:54 AM

I'm like a couple of others...no electricity no sump and no furnace. Perhaps in a different house it would represent a challenge that could be overcome but not here.

I like the idea of cutting back on electricity use by using solar, wind or other renewable energy sources though.

**renmerc446** · 03-30-2005, 08:52 AM

I said, yes if for a short while. While I live in an apartment, my parents live close by in a house where I could probably be able to handle things better. (And keep an eye on them as well.) But if I had to do it, I'd probably head on out to a couple of friends who have places that are better equipped to deal with that sort of lifestyle.