Most people would love to live off the grid but need to figure out where to start. Whether you want to build a cabin on your property or become more self-sufficient while living amidst nature, you must know the basics to live an off-the-grid lifestyle successfully.

Several sanctuaries, such as Azhen Sanctuary, teach you the basics of off-grid living, covering things like buying land, zoning, collecting funds, and self-sufficiency. If you plan on living an alternative lifestyle away from the chaos of the city, these courses will come in handy.

But what are some things that an educational course on off-grid living can teach? Find out.

A short intro on Off-Grid Living

Off-grid living refers to a lifestyle in which all necessities are provided by nature. This means you are not dependent on the power grid and utilities except water. For example, if you want electricity, you must generate it with a solar panel or wind turbine. You must design your home accordingly if you want heating or cooling.

What do the educational courses include?

brown and black solar panel house

Learn about solar power:

Solar power is the most common alternative energy used for off-the-grid living. It powers your home, charges batteries, and cooks food. If you are interested in solar panels but need to learn how they work or where to buy them, this course will be perfect for you.

The main advantage of using solar energy is that it’s clean and renewable! Solar panels are completely safe, reliable, and easy to use without any toxic materials, unlike fossil fuels which release poisonous gasses when burnt byproducts into the air, causing global warming effects worldwide.

Waste management:

Waste management is any process that deals with the production, collection, transport, treatment and disposal or recycling of waste materials. In a broader sense, it includes trade in waste products and other services related to their cycle. An off-the-grid course will teach you how to dispose of waste, including human waste, with options like septic, compost toilets, and humanure.

Different funding options:

Learning different funding options you can use for your off-grid living project is essential. There are several sources of money you can apply for, and they each have their respective benefits. You should also know how to apply for funding and what makes a good application. It includes topics such as creating a funding plan, various options, creating value and decreasing risk, attracting investors, and finding a means of passive income.

Land assessment and zoning process:

You should know about the zoning process because it determines the land’s usefulness for your needs. For example, if you plan to build a house on the property, it will need to be zoned for residential purposes and have access to water and electricity from an existing source.

Using various tools and machinery:

The following are some of the tools and machinery taught in education on off-grid living.

Farming tools: You will learn to grow food using farming equipment such as a plough, harrow, hoe and rakes.

Building machinery: A course that teaches people how to build their own homes will likely cover topics relating to construction machinery like bulldozers and tractors, as well as carpentry equipment like chisels and hammers.

off grid living

How to choose a sanctuary?

Before choosing a sanctuary, you should check the facilities available since you will be spending a few days learning various things. However, finding one indigenously owned is a good idea since you interact with indigenous community members, learn about their unique lifestyle, and access their teachings.

At this point, you should know what an educational course sanctuaries or retreats like Azhen Sanctuary offer on off-grid living. It’s important to note that many different programs are available, so you must choose one after extensive research.