Do you live in an autonomous building?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_building

Answer 1

I don't, but I once worked with another engineer who had that.

He has a manufactured home (converted "trailer") that is modified with extra insulation and built into the side of a hill so it is very efficient for heat retention.  He has solar panels, his own water well, a septic tank/drain field, and propane for heating & cooking (OK, so he had propane delivered regularly in the winter).  I think he may now have enough solar panels installed so he can lose the propane (at least he was working toward that goal the last time I spoke with him).

In some ways I envy the guy being totally off the 'grid'.

If his family had to wash clothes, then the kids couldn't watch TV (when he had limited solar panels).  Even so, TV watching and video game playing was limited by available power.

.