Tag Archives: hot water
The Off-Grid/Green Myth, Part II
By Cam Mather When Professor and Canada Research Chair Phillip Vannini came to visit us recently as part of his research on people who live “off the grid” he had just come from an off-grid home north of Toronto. This couple had indicated to him that they had gone off grid for “environmental reasons.” I …
The Year of Magical Walking*
By Cam Mather I have written a few too many ranting blogs lately, ranting about the impending collapse of the dollar and my unexplained angst about being a solar early adopter (I haven’t posted that one yet), so figured it was time for something lighter. It’s not hard to write a positive blog when I …
The Living Sustainably and Independently, Ready for Rough Times, Hands-on, Solar-Powered, All You Can Grow Workshop Wrap Up
By Cam Mather A couple of Saturdays ago we had 12 people come to Sunflower Farm for “The Living Sustainably and Independently, Ready for Rough Times, Hands-on, Solar-Powered, All You Can Grow Workshop.” It was a blast. It was a really great group of people and I think everyone had a great day. I know …
Article by William Kemp in the Latest Mother Earth News Magazine
The October/November 2011 issue of Mother Earth News contains an article by William Kemp (author of our book “The Renewable Energy Handbook.”) He talks about his steps to use as much renewable energy and as little fossil fuel as possible in his home. Bill and Lorraine Kemp have been living off the grid for 20 …
I Am Thankful
By Cam Mather I read a great book that said that one of the keys to happiness is being grateful. Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend. I am grateful for that. I think it’s a nice chance to spend a long weekend with family, almost 3 months away from the chaos of Christmas. I am thankful …
The Living Sustainably and Independently, Ready for Rough Times, Hands-on, Solar-Powered, All You Can Grow Workshop
By Cam Mather Shortly after we moved off the electricity grid 13 years ago I began presenting workshops on renewable energy. The first renewable energy workshop that I did was a bit of an afterthought. I was presenting a workshop on home-based businesses at a homeschooling conference that Michelle and I were involved with. We …
My Off-Grid Solar-Powered Air Conditioner
By Cam Mather I always thought “air conditioning” and “off the grid” didn’t belong in the same sentence, unless it was suggesting that you COULDN’T have air conditioning off the grid. But like so many things in my life I have discovered that foundations can shift and reality can be altered. Since moving to our …
The Great Blog Smackdown
By Cam Mather Ouch! That hurt. I got a major slap down on my “Oprah for President” blog on Mother Earth News. Here’s the comment; “Cam-Really, really sad. No let me reconsider…pathetic. Yes, that’s the right word… ‘Pathetic.’ This is the first time I have read your blog. I can assure you I won’t waste …
Ticking Another Item Off My Bucket List
By Cam Mather In the words of the immortal 80’s cheesy band Loverboy… “Don’t look now, but guess who’s hit the big time!” Yes, I have arrived. I can now stroke this off my bucket list. I was second in line in a processional that was “piped in” by a bagpiper. My mother’s maiden name …
You Learn to Be Handy When You Live Off the Grid
By Cam Mather I love living off the electricity grid. I love producing all my own electricity from the sun and wind. I especially love heating my water with the sun. My Solar Domestic Hot Water Heater (SDHW) is probably one of the coolest pieces of technology that I’ve installed. The fact that I had …
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