What is off-grid living? 

Off-grid living is essentially having energy independence from utilities accessible to the public, such as electricity, heat, water and connectivity, and generally being self-sufficient in the way you live. This means you generate your own power, usually renewable, source your own supplies, and manage your own waste. 

In the UK, off-grid living is often associated with staying in remote areas with no National Grid connection, in a motorhome or converted van where you explore the nation, or on a narrowboat weaving through canals and rivers or permanently moored at marinas. Although, you may use the National Grid when you need backup power. 

You may have seen the rise of remote cabins or countryside getaways appearing on holiday sites like Airbnb. An experience like this may have even been your first taste of off-grid living.  

According to Sky News, an estimated 15,000 people live on canal boats in the UK, with the number likely growing every year. Are you ready to be a part of that? 

Is it legal to live off-grid? 

Yes, it’s legal to live off-grid in the UK. There aren’t any laws stopping you from going off-grid, but you’ll have to check any rules from local authorities in the location you’re in, such as parking, land use and safety, as well as notifying the National Grid (if relevant). 

Vans and motorhomes, narrowboats, and static homes will all have different guidelines to follow, such as those of councils, the DVLA, and the Canal & River Trust. 

The five pillars of power for off-grid living 

Living off-grid is built around four elements: power, water, heat, and waste. How your setup functions will determine how comfortable and reliable your lifestyle will be. Most people building their own power sources aim for self-consumption, meaning you’ve generated everything you’re living on. 

But this doesn’t mean you have to cut ties completely with the National Grid, as you can use it as a backup when parked at a campsite or during darker, colder months. 

There are typically five stages your power process should fall into:

This is the most important phase, as you can’t just buy any battery and hope for the best. You’ll need to calculate your average daily use of electricity, water and heating, and don’t forget to account for seasonal changes. Then there’s how much physical space you have available to fit your devices, like batteries, inverters, and solar panels.

Again, before you buy anything, you need to account for the appliances and items you’ll use in your campervan, narrowboat or other remote home. Think about the power from fridges, charging laptops and lighting.

When it comes to water, you’ll need to consider cooking, drinking and washing. And if you’re planning on maintaining some sort of digital connection, like working remotely or catching up on the latest episodes in between travelling, you’ll need network connectivity, too.

With this consumption comes leftovers. You’ll have to consider how you’ll get rid of your toilet waste or use composting toilets, as well as get rid of general waste responsibly and dispose of used water. 

Once you know what your requirements are for how you want to live off-grid, you can then shop for the components you need. DIY builders often face information overload at this step. It can be almost too easy to become overwhelmed by what’s on the market and whether anything is compatible for your dream setup or whether it’s safe to mix different brands and products. 

Our advice would be to speak with people who specialise in off-grid system design who can point you in the right direction for your specific needs. 

4. Installation 

When it comes to installation, it’s important to get the basics and essentials right the first time, so you don’t have to peel back your wonderful interiors that you’ve been making Pinterest boards for. Installation is different for every space, but it typically involves: 
 

Just because everything’s fitted and functional, the work doesn’t stop there. But it’s not as daunting as it sounds. Off-grid living in the UK is effortless when your setup is installed properly and is guaranteed to function with your other devices.

Some maintenance tasks you’ll be able to do yourself, such as cleaning solar panels, monitoring battery usage, and inspecting cables.

But if you come across anything that concerns you or you need a hand troubleshooting, make sure you’ve saved the number of someone who’s reliable in remote energy solutions. 

How does Onboard Energy support off-grid living? 

Onboard Energy provides remote electrical solutions for off-grid living, with a focus on narrowboats and campervans. We have over four decades of experience in independent power systems, so we’re well-suited to guide you towards your dream four-wheeled getaway or your floating home. 

Our specialists are available across eight England-based marinas for full installation services. Get in touch today to see how they can help.