offgrid
Without public utilities
Living or operating independently of public utilities, especially electricity and water systems.
An offgrid cabin generates its own power through solar panels or generators rather than connecting to the electrical grid.
The term extends to lifestyle choices emphasizing self-sufficiency: They went offgrid for a month—no internet, no phone.
Sometimes hyphenated as off-grid.
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- minimalistOne favoring bare essentials
- cabinSimple wooden dwelling
rural · remote · wilderness · back-to-land · simple living · intentional · autonomous · unplugged
Of the star
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- inverterChanges DC to AC
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
- photovoltaicLight-to-electricity converting
wind turbine · power bank · deep cycle · watt · amp-hour · renewable · hydroelectric · backup power
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- remoteDistant or controller
- isolatedSeparated from others
- frontierEdge of settlement
outback · bush · hinterland · boondocks · inaccessible · uncharted · secluded · homestead
Collected atmospheric moisture
- cisternWater storage chamber
- wellDug water source
- septicInfected with bacteria
- composting toiletWaste processor using decay
greywater · water catchment · filtration · hand pump · outhouse · root cellar · woodstove · propane
Handset using orbital relays
- ham radioLicensed hobbyist broadcasting
- mesh networkInterconnected node communication system
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
- CB radioCitizens Band transceiver
antenna · signal booster · radio frequency · emergency beacon · two-way radio · offline · disconnected · radio relay
homesteading
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- minimalistOne favoring bare essentials
cabin · rural · remote · wilderness · back-to-land · simple living · intentional · autonomous · unplugged · DIY
solar
Of the star
photovoltaic · wind turbine · power bank · deep cycle · watt · amp-hour · renewable · hydroelectric · backup power · energy independence
backcountry
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- remoteDistant or controller
- isolatedSeparated from others
frontier · outback · bush · hinterland · boondocks · inaccessible · uncharted · secluded · homestead · rurality
rainwater
Collected atmospheric moisture
composting toilet · greywater · water catchment · filtration · hand pump · outhouse · root cellar · woodstove · propane · kerosene
satellite phone
Handset using orbital relays
- ham radioLicensed hobbyist broadcasting
- mesh networkInterconnected node communication system
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
CB radio · antenna · signal booster · radio frequency · emergency beacon · two-way radio · offline · disconnected · radio relay · walkie-talkie
offgridonline
Network-connected state
plugged in · wired · municipal · connected · networked
offgridplugged in
Attached to power source
online · connected · networked · traceable · documented
offgridmainstream
Dominant cultural current
conventional · suburban · urban · modern · integrated