Off-Grid House Plans: Everything You Need to Know

People seeking to reduce their carbon footprint or to live a more sustainable lifestyle are choosing off-grid living options. Living off the grid is significantly cheaper (as you are not paying for the high utility bills) and keeps you prepared if the grid goes down. However, moving off the grid requires proper planning and access to resources like power, water, etc.

One important thing you need to consider is the structure of off-grid house plans. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable power sources for off-grid homes. The popular Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus model has a LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 2042.8Wh. It can power 99% of your off-grid appliances, including refrigerators, ACs, heaters, electric grills, and more.

What Is An Off-Grid House Plan?

An off-grid house resembles a traditional home or cabin that doesn't rely on municipal or public utilities like electricity, sewer, or water.

If you're looking to move from traditional houses to an off-grid lifestyle, the most important thing you need to consider is your off-grid house plan.

These architectural designs and floor plans are specifically designed for homes that work using renewable resources and self-sustaining systems.

Why Are Off-Grid Houses So Popular?

Off-grid houses are becoming popular for those looking to escape the stress of a modern lifestyle. Here are some important benefits of choosing an off-the-grid house lifestyle.

• Self-Sufficiency: Living off-the-grid teaches you the necessary self-reliant skills you will use for the rest of your life. It includes growing your own food, managing waste, generating your own energy, and more.
• Sustainability: Backwoods living minimizes the environmental impact and climate crises by emphasizing the use of more natural resources.
• Energy and Waste Efficiency: Off-grid homes use efficient energy systems (such as solar batteries) and minimize waste. The core aim behind this type of living is to live sustainably.
• Cost Savings:From electricity to gas, there are multiple things you've to pay for. Not to mention, the prices of these utilities are rising with every passing day. Cutting connections from expensive power can help you live a comfortable life at a reasonable price.

What Are The Types of Off-Grid House Plans?

Several different types of off-grid home plans are available, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Below, we will briefly walk you through some popular designs one can consider while designing one's home.

Passive Solar House Plans

They are designed to minimize the use of natural sunlight for effective heating and cooling purposes. Such house plans have large windows and skylights, allowing plenty of light into the home. It is generally built with concrete or tile flooring to ensure maximum heat absorption and retention.

Tiny House Plans

As the name defines, these tiny house plans are compact and require less expenses. They are typically less than 500 square feet, which makes them more energy-efficient and space-saving. This is an excellent off-grid house plan option for people looking to embark on off-grid living as an alternative lifestyle.

Cob House Plans

Cob off-grid house plans use natural materials to create a sustainable and well-insulated structure. They are constructed using a mixture of straw, sand, and clay.

Straw Bale House Plans

The straw bale house plan is an eco-friendly option constructed using bales of straws. Multiple bales are stacked to form walls and plastered to create a solid, well-insulated structure.

Earthship House Plans

Earthship off-the-grid house plans are constructed using old tires filled with dirt. They are designed to be self-sufficient and provide excellent insulation and thermal mass.

Off-Grid House Plans Explained

An off-grid home simply means you do not rely on one or more municipal or public utilities, like water, sewer, and electricity. In the long run, off-grid houses are financially viable as they are extraordinarily conservative regarding energy, power, and water.

If you want to embrace a sustainable lifestyle, you'll need to design an off-grid home plan beforehand. However, it can be tedious and challenging to prepare an off-the-grid house plan that meets your needs. In this section, we will reveal off-grid plan features, the designing process, and some free templates.

Off-Grid House Plan Features

Now that you know what an off-grid house is, it's time to understand its features. For instance, you must determine the power source, water source, solar lighting, and more.

Insulation

Unlike traditional homes, off-grid houses have incredibly thick and efficient insulation to help conserve heat in winter and prevent gaining heat too quickly in summer. The heat is usually collected by the eaves, which are designed to collect winter sun's rays and block summer sunlight.

Solar Lighting

Off-grid homes have different roof tilts compared to traditional houses. It is designed in such a way that the high-angle summer sun does not penetrate your windows, but the low-angle winter sun does.

Having clear solar tubes that extend from your roof into the ceiling of your home lets you harness the sun's energy. This reduces the overall energy consumption of cooling and heating appliances. However, they won't be very effective at night.

The below house diagram illustrates the low-angle winter sun penetrating the windows.

When the angle of the sun's rays alters in summer, the house roof blocks them from entering the home and heating it up.

Water Systems

Your off-grid house system should effectively collect water from your roof whenever it rains. One effective way to do this is by placing multiple cisterns around the home. The house roof should also be shaped to direct water into cisterns and ensure no wastage.

Power Systems

Besides water and food, you'll need to focus on getting a power source — a battery backup or solar generator. Jackery Solar Generators combine portable solar panels and power stations to convert direct sunlight into clean, eco-friendly electricity.

The reliable power source has USB ports to charge phones and other small devices. It also features AC outlets to power larger home appliances efficiently. Whether you want to charge smaller devices or larger electrical devices, the Jackery Solar Generators have got your back.

How To Design An Off-Grid House?

When building a solar-powered off-grid cabin or home, it's important to keep a few things in mind.

• Keep it Simple:In off-grid homes, less is always more. Instead of creating complicated designs and systems, one must keep things as simple as possible.
• Maximize Natural Light: We all know natural light is free and abundant. Off-grid homes should be carefully designed so a lot of natural light enters the house. Not only will this help you reduce your energy needs, but it also saves money on high electricity bills.
• Use Local Materials: Designing off-grid home plans using local materials will help you support the local economy and reduce transportation costs.
• Focus on Energy Efficiency:Your home should include energy-efficient off-grid appliances, proper insulation, and natural ventilation.

Off-Grid House Plans

Off-grid floor plans are designed to be efficient, sustainable, and robust. The walls use eco-friendly and clean materials to absorb maximum sun's rays during winter.

Below, we include three of the best off-the-grid house plans.

House Plan 1: This off-grid home plan includes two bedrooms, one kitchen, and a hall. It is perfect for smaller families who want a spacious home.

House Plan 2: Similar to the first home plan, this off-grid home plan also has two bedrooms. With an open kitchen and a spacious hall, it is perfect for families.

House Plan 3: Lastly, this off-grid home template is for larger families with more than 5 members. It also includes space for a patio, car garage, utility room, master bedroom, and more.

What Size Of Solar Generator Needed For Off-Grid Living?

The size of the solar generator needed for your home will depend on how many off-grid appliances you use. On average, a household uses 5000 to 7000 watts to charge everyday devices and live a comfortable life. If you are unsure about the power requirements, below is the table that reveals common appliances with their wattage.

Once you have calculated the power requirements, the next step is to choose compatible solar batteries. Jackery offers robust and powerful solar generators, solar panels, and power stations. Some popular Jackery Solar Generators for off-grid living include:

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro 

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a huge battery capacity of 3024Wh and a 3000W power output. It features multiple USB and AC ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The powerful battery backup can help you power 99% of your off-grid appliances and weigh 30% lighter than similar products of the same capacity.

Customer Review

"I am highly impressed with this Jackery 3000 Pro. This is one of those buys that actually gives you everything you expect, and then you realize that it does even more. I use it connected to the panels, which lets me run all types of appliances in my home while recharging the unit at the same time." — Ya.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is one of the ideal off-grid battery backups that can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh. It features a powerful LiFePO4 battery that can be recharged using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in only 2 hours.

Customer Review

"The Jackery portable power station, specifically the Explorer 2000 Plus model, is equipped with a wide range of power connectors, including four AC 120V outlets, two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, and more. It's the perfect solution for all my power needs during camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor events." — WinWin.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro has a battery capacity of 2160Wh that can charge 96% of your off-grid appliances for long hours. You can recharge the battery backup using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in only 2.5 hours.

Customer Review

"This off-grid setup works excellently in the SW with abundant sunshine and is a great way to scale back on fossil fuels. We used this setup for our kitchen electric single burner for meals and an electric kettle for morning tea and coffee." — Lorina M.

How To Choose An Off-Grid House Plan?

If you want to choose the right off-grid house plan or create one, you'll need to consider a few important factors.

• Climate: The weather and climatic conditions of the area can influence the design and type of materials used in the house plan.
• Location: Next, you'll need to consider the location and availability of wind, sunlight, and water.
• Family Size:Larger families require more space and area than smaller ones. Hence, the house plan can significantly depend on family size.
• Energy Needs: Your home power and energy needs will depend on several factors, such as the types of electric appliances and systems you use. Furthermore, the location of the property will impact the energy consumption.
• Budget:The cost of off-grid homes varies depending on the size and location. For this reason, it's important to set a budget beforehand and choose a plan that can meet your needs.

Off-Grid House Plan FAQs

Is it legal to live off-grid?

Yes, it is legal to live off the grid. However, there are some local requirements, like property taxes, building codes, and more, that you need to remember. One worthy thing to note is that living off-grid doesn't exempt you from the legal homeownership responsibilities.

You need to consider all building codes and requirements before building your off-grid home. For example, if you want to install your septic system, you must seek approval in your state.

Remember, the risk of flood, fire, and other natural calamities is as high as traditional homes. Hence, it becomes important to insure your off-grid homes.

How much does it cost to build an off-grid house?

The cost of building an off-grid home will vary depending on its size, home materials, power source you choose, water sourcing and disposal, etc. For instance, a larger home with more appliances will cost more than a smaller one with fewer electronics.

While evaluating the cost, you must consider the power source and its expenses. If you want to go solar, consider a portable battery backup like Jackery Solar Generators. It is an eco-friendly and clean power source that eliminates the hassle of high installation costs.

How to live off the grid?

When living off the grid, you need the right mindset and approach. Below are some tips to make the off-grid experience more rewarding and fulfilling.

• Learn how to generate your own power, produce your own food, and manage the water supply.
• You must be mindful of water usage and energy to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
• Focus on reducing the environmental impact and experience a deeper connection with nature.

Final Thoughts

Off-grid living is becoming more popular among US citizens who want a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. One of the most important things one must consider is the off-grid house plans, which vary mainly depending on size, design, materials, and other factors.

Once you've finalized the house plan, the next important thing is to choose a reliable power source. Investing in a Jackery Solar Generator for your off-grid home could be a smart choice for charging all devices and being independent.