Retired Couple Living Off-Grid Shares Their 8-Year Experience

Follow Art and Mary's Living Off Grid Blog:

In this video we’re meeting Art & Mary, a retired couple who set out to build an energy efficient and allergen-free home, and ended up living fully off the grid!

They have a massive solar power system for the majority of their electrical needs, they process all their own firewood, grow and forage a lot of their own food in the summer, and they collect rainwater for watering their garden!

Art and Mary are a really inspiring couple and it was interesting to sit down with them to find out why and how they’re thriving in their off-grid lifestyle.

The house is built with Durisol Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), it's super well insulated and has triple glaze windows, which helps keep the heat in during the cold months, and keep the heat out during the warmer months.

They mainly heat with their wood stove, but they also have in-floor heating that is controlled by multiple thermostats throughout the house. The building code where they live requires an automatic heat source that can come on even if no one is home, and they also know that one day they may not want to cut as much firewood.

For now, they harvest and process all of their own firewood themselves, cutting down trees in winter, and cutting them in the spring.

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives

House Build Photos provided by Art and Mary

[ExploringAlternatives]

Thank you for watching! Follow Art and Mary's Living Off Grid blog:

[artkelly]

Art here. Some were wondering why we need 2, 500 sq. ft when there is just the two of us. When family and friends comes to visit they travel a distance and we need the extra space for them. Also Mary's quilting room takes up additional space a traditional home wouldn't need. Thanks for all the positive comments. Danielle and Mat were a delight to work with and always do a professional job on their videos.

[nalie]

This couple is so charming exactely like their way of living. I love the respect and love they show for each other.

[jacquelinelam]

I admire this couple, they are the same type of people. They were made for each other. I wish them a very happy and heathy future.

[heidirexin]

I loved seeing how well these two interact with each other as much as the offgrid lifestyle they have created.

[maureenkelly]

Art has a voice that would translate very well to radio or podcasts or voice over actor.

[cathylynnpietranton]

This couple really put a lot of thought into designing their home. We wish them many happy years.

[uvri]

Freedom can't be endless. But they are so close... Independent people are free people. Love it. 😍

[matthewpadgett]

It’s beautiful, peaceful, serene and isolated. In the current times in which we are living, this life is what I am striving for.

[grupoelcomienzo]

Wow, so inspiring. Love to see that Art takes the time to respond to comments. Beautiful to see the respect and love they show for each other. Man I would love to be your neighbor and be off the grid.

[cherylpemberton]

What a LOVELY COUPLE! I usually skip over, get bored, stupid things like where they store their underwear and Tupperware (really, I've seen them); these people told us important, relevant info, and I loved watching them with their gardens, her quilting, the food, etc... Blessings to them!!!! I go they live and love happy and healthy for many decades!!

[stdahake]

What I loved the most about this episode is the look of peace and relaxation on the couple's faces. Stay blessed guys. Off to browse through your beautiful blog.

[kaycee]

Art has a beautiful voice. He would be perfectly suited to narrating audio books.

[Selfsufficientme]

A nice honest interview on off grid living. Good on'em 🙂👍

[My_thoughts_]

Omg I love them! Watching you both speak makes me feel so loved. The respect and attention you both have for each other is a dream one only dreams to ever find.

[AlaskaTalaheimLodge]

I live off the grid in Alaska, have for 44 years. In my younger days we lived very crudely. All transportation in and out is only by air, so everything has to be flown in. At first on float planes which landings were not ideal, so I built a 1400 runway. We use our place as a fishing lodge but when we have no guests, no or hardly any fossil fuel is needed. We have 14 solar panels supply power to 16 six volt batteries and a 8KW inverter. If the batteries get low, the generator kicks on and charges them. In the colder months, we heat our house with wood, using a wood cook stove and heat stove. Not as fancy or as expensive as the above mansion, but it's home

[msmargiek]

Art and Mary are Awesome! I am very impressed at all they accomplished on their place and how they live their sustainable life, Mary your quilts look amazing.

[sofapop]

That bathtub made my heart race! What a dream!! The whole home is amazing! Definitely something I hope to have in my future!

[flyifri]

Art and Mary just got another big thumbs up. Well done on all counts. Thank you all for caring and sharing.!

[rero]

It is so obvious that those couples love each other, this is a great video I enjoyed watched.