Can You Live Off The Grid?

If your thinking about living off-the-grid here's how to calculate your energy needs. Check off each of the following items that you can't live without. Then tally your score to find out how much power you'll need to generate to continue your lifestyle:

10 - Refrigerated food
10 - Heat
10 - Hot water
10 - Air conditioning
10 - Clothes washer
15 - Clothes dryer
5 - Oven
5 - Microwave
1 - Xbox
5 - Laptop
5 - TV
5 - Incandescent lighting
5 - DVR
10 - Outdoor floodlights to spot on-the-grid intruders
5 - Vacuum cleaner
1 - Paper shredder
10 - Wine fridge
5 - Cellphone
10 - Elevator
5 - Anything from Sharper Image
10 - Massage chair
5 - Expresso maker
5 - Air-hockey table
1 - Electric toothbrush
5 - Automatic pet feeder
5 - Karaoke night at your house

Answer Key

Less than 30 points: You are as off-the-grid as they come. You can probably get by with a small solar array.
31-60 points : Add a backup generator, and you're set.
More than 60 points; Are you sure you wouldn't rather live in a hotel?