Energy Savings Guide

http://www.bringaboutgreen.com/lifestyle/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-guide?utm_source=Aweber&utm_medium=email

Before you start setting up a renewable energy installation you should aim to make your house more energy efficient. You see, the less energy your house uses the less energy you will need to generate. There are tons of ways to conserve energy and this free guide aims to help you with this.

Click on the link to read the rest of the article. Even if you aren't going to switch to an alternative energy, this should help everyone.

When we had the power shut down several years ago and started generating our own, the first change we made was to eliminate 80% or more of our habitual electrical usage. We found ways to mechanically accomplish much of what we had used electricity for in the past. Food processing, lighting, shop equipment.....everything was looked at anew.
I procured several scrap propane tanks in the 500 to 1000 gallon range and converted them to air tanks. I installed an air compressor along with the alternator in our power system and run both off the old Wisconsin engine.
There is an awful lot that can be done with compressed air.
A wind mill could also be set up to be charging an air tank with pressure every time the wind blows.
Lighting is now accomplished largely with candles and propane.
Beeswax and beef tallow are your friends.
Our first motivation was to get away from any and all conglomerates, i.e. the corporate power grid, thus the residual use of so much "technology". Sustainability is becoming the priority, and using technology to accomplish work while learning and implementing the simpler and more self sufficient techniques is a very gratifying and smooth way to make the transition.

Forerunner,
Although we aren't as far a long as you are, we're getting there slowly. Do you have a fridge? Is it a propane fridge? I think that's my main concern. This past year we bought a wood stove, that if needed, I can cook on it. We also have a fire pit and camp stoves and a propane stove and fridge in our RV. My concern would be what would happen if we could no longer get propane? As for other means of survival, I think food wise we would be ok. We are raising enough food that we could make it, but I'm trying to stock up on things that I can't raise, like salt.

Salt will also be a major bartering item when times get more, uh, interesting....

Yes, propane fridge here..... could be run with methane.....
I've also wondered about keeping a candle lit in place of the propane flame.

We developed a spring here on the land and I have plans to build a concrete spring house for keeping summer perishables fresh a few days/hours longer.

I've wrestled many times with the refrigeration issue and, as time goes by, I realize that with root cellar, dehydration, smoking and planning gardens and butchering schedules according to weather patterns, not to mention the possibility of an icehouse...... we won't suffer much if high tech refrigeration goes south.
The wood stove for cooking is a good idea. A summer kitchen may happen before its all said and done. Good to keep that heat out of the house.
We heat all of our fall, winter and spring water in stainless pots on the wood stove, and heat summer water outside in a 75 gallon stainless tank positioned over a small fire. The laundry setup is out there, as well.

The refigeration issue is one that has concerned me. We live in GA and don't have a lot of access to ice to make and icehouse. Have you considered those solar water heaters?

I've considered doing a lot with the sun, but not much that involves a purchase.
I tend to gravitate toward what I can salvage or build myself.
I've always been leery of solar ever since panels came out, due to their unsustainability if one needs repair or replacement.
I know, I know....I've let one negative aspect of solar cloud my otherwise likely good judgment.

I do use solar extensively in the garden.

Well, so far we've only considered solar for our well. Although if it broke we could finagle something to get the water out. We've thought about getting a deep well hand pump, but haven't gotten it yet.