On Apr 10, 11:12*am, Mike Ross wrote:
On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:52:43 -0700 (PDT), John Nagelson

wrote:
Hello, I am considering taking a house 'off grid', and would be
grateful for help with some of the following questions:

uk.rec.engines.stationary

Mike
--http://www.corestore.org
'As I walk along these shores
I am the history within'

Not the least of concerns is fuel storage and leakage from same.
Leaks from tanks and fuel lines have here (Canada) cost householders
in some cases thousands! In many instances not being covered by
homeowners liability insurance.
When 'oil' is used, household insurance premiums can often be higher
if liquid fuel is used because of the potential for leaks.
By certain mandated dates; storage tanks, in most provinces of
Canada, must now have a 'sump' and/or be constructed in such a way
that there is a weir or catchment around them, capable of holding
100%
of the full contents. The catchment device often being integral with
the tank. As a result tanks now cost much more than in the past, are
bigger and more unwieldy etc.
Oil that leaks into the ground can travel long distances and pollute
the property of others. In several instances the excavation s have
been huge and have extended onto other properties at great cost for
restoration! In one case in St. John's Newfoundland, the hole was so
large that the owners built a complete sub-ground basement and
addition to their home in an area that had been an oil soaked parking
lot!
It is understood that in some cases leakage only became apparent when
increasing costs for fuel oil caused homeowners to check the
'quantities' of oil being bought! Thus oil leakage had been going on
for some time!
Electricity produced by water power would seem the 'safest' from an
environmental viewpoint. But then there is usually flooding and water
back up! Sometimes with dire consequences. The next safest being, and
perhaps less polluting, being nuclear? But then there was Chernobyl,
and 3 Mile island etc. etc.
Must go and throw on another bit of wood scrap on the wood stove and
plug in the
electric kettle for a cuppa! Maybe the snow will be gone in another
few weeks; maybe by early-mid May!