What Is an Off-Grid Home?

Going off-grid implies living in a self-sufficient and autonomous manner without relying on one or more public utilities. With the growing availability of solar panels and renewable energy technologies, many people associate off-grid lifestyles with homes that produce their energy needs. It is essential to mention that the vast majority of the 1.3 million solar installations across the United States remain connected to the grid. Net metering policies have allowed homeowners to be credited with their monthly utility bills for the renewable energy they produce and send back to the grid.

Can You Insure An Off-Grid Home?

While off-grid homes used to be associated with “back-to-the-land hippies,” today, off-grid sustainable lifestyles are becoming increasingly common. Banks, insurance companies, and other large financial institutions are progressively beginning to offer specialized insurance packages to people who live off-grid. Some insurance companies, such as Donegal Insurance Group of Marietta, offer a 5 percent discount on their premiums to Pennsylvania homeowners who go off-grid with solar panels or geothermal .