7 months ago
Many times those who seek to live "off the grid" find that the costs to purchase and install the systems allowing them to do so will far exceed what they could ever hope to save in utility costs.
Then there's Freddie Rassman
Rassman built his house 38 years ago at the end of a dirt road far off the beaten track near Belmont, Allegany County.
Between the solar panels and wind mill which provide power to the A-frame style structure he hasn't had an electric bill since 1971.
Truth be told, Rassman wasn't trying to make a statement of any sort back then.
"It was really out of neccessity," Rassman told 2 On Your Side in recalling those days.
After having only spent $1,500 for the land and another $1,500 in materials to construct the house Rassman was shocked when he was told by the power company it would cost another $10,000 to bring electricity to his site.
So he balked, ...and has ever since.
It also helped that he was handy, as he was able to design and install most everything himself, often scrounging parts rather than purchasing them
"I bought the wind mill for $2,500 and built my own tower.
The storage batteries (for the power created by the wind mill and solar panels) I got from the phone company. They were going to scrap them and were willing to give them to me if i was willing to haul them away."
Rassman says living life off grid isn't for everyone, though. Even with all his batteries and the two charging sources, a week or so of clouds with no wind forces conservation measures, such as no vacuming.
Rassman also heats his house with a home made wood stove, and has a gravity fed water system supplied by the well which he (of course) drilled by himself.
