Comments on: Living without electricity for 29 years

By: Bet

Bet — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:43:15 +0000

We built a berm home 20 years ago and did not put any heating system in. It has never gotten below 50 degrees inside. We do have a wood cook stove that we use through the day time, usually from Oct-Apr, though we use it sparingly. We actually found out that we sleep a lot better with the cooler temps.We have never had any health issues.

By: tinamac

tinamac — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:29:14 +0000

Apart from a short time in a house with central heating, I have lived without heating all my life (I am 51). My current house (of stone construction) regularly goes as low as 5 degrees and even in summer rarely goes above 18 degrees. I don’t run any heating from April to end of October at all(just because I don’t like to spend the money unnecessarily ). The one room we have a fire in takes the top temp to about 21 degrees and as I’ve said, we don’t run it all the time. My husband, children and I are very healthy. My mother lived in similar conditions (although without running water, electricity or gas either) all of her life. I know a lady of ninety one who has similar conditions. Its what we’re used to and is not a health threat. Damp conditions ARE a health threat, not cold!

By: montefraya

montefraya — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:49:24 +0000

When I was growing up, my grandfather lived in a small cabin in the woods with no electricity or running water. He heated with two coal burning heaters. There was no sheeting on the internal walls and I could look through the cracks to the outdoors. He cooked on a wood burning cook stove. Walked to a spring daily for his water and still trapped rabbit, squirrel, turtle, etc. for meat. We would go to see him every weekend and take groceries. We walked about half a mile back into the woods to the cabin carrying our boxes of groceries. His lights were oil lamps.
He became ill before the weekend and trudged a mile and a half to the bus stop and came into town; then walked three blocks to our house. He died that night. The human spirit is awesome! His name was John also. I pray that John of this article is helped so he can remain in his home.

By: Arbrene-Hussain

Arbrene-Hussain — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:45:49 +0000

This must have taken alot of will power at first, it’s an amazing story.

By: soahs

soahs — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:13:32 +0000

Some years ago I lost my job, my unemployment ran out and while I managed to pay my electrical bill there was no money left to run the furnace. So I did without. Ever since at the first sign of winter it hurts my lungs when I breathe, even inside at 68 degrees. A baby vaporizer that warms the air is a godsend. I am amazed this man continue to live in normal health as long as he has.

By: UnbiasAmerican

UnbiasAmerican — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:57:42 +0000

hardass.

By: JoeSheffer

JoeSheffer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:34:15 +0000

Great story telling. Really nice little find.