There are many things to learn when it comes to using your land. For instance, many people purchase land for a future home site, but often a lot of work needs to be done before placing a home on a lot.
One of the major considerations is the need for utilities and services. Land central has written many articles to help our customers address these situations. We’ve gathered links to these articles below:
How to Research Utilities
Bringing utilities to your vacant land is usually the greatest expense you will have in developing it, short of actually building your home, so it is important to do your research and get reliable estimates from local companies. Be sure to look into energy rebates that might be available in rural communities, or that will assist you in putting in sustainable energy measures. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working on several funding projects to help bring broadband, alternative energy, smart grid technologies and water systems to rural areas.
Water Options
You might be a person who is looking for ways to save money along with helping the environment. There are benefits to using a grey water recycling system that could be worth the investment and time when you are developing your new property. Off-the-grid living is also becoming more popular. Living off the grid means finding ways to supply your home with water without the county or city supplying it. Rain Capture is a system for collecting and storing rainwater for later use. It can be used for watering the garden or providing water to an entire home. Depending on where your property is located, this could be a viable solution for maintaining a water supply.
Some properties may have water already on them, even if they are off the grid. If there is a reservoir or spring nearby, a hydraulic ram pump would be the best way to pull the water to your home. A hydraulic ram pump consists of simple plumbing parts available at most hardware stores. The most sophisticated pieces are a couple of swing check valves, which may need to be sourced at a plumbing supply house. Otherwise, everything else should be readily available.
Septic Tanks
When living off the grid, one of the sacrificed conveniences is a municipal sewer system connection. Usually this is because an off-grid home isn’t in proximity to sewer pipes. However, you don’t have to be off the grid to use an onsite septic system. Many rural homes rely on septic systems for this exact reason. Understanding and installing septic tanks is not rocket science and they can be relatively easy to spec and install. The key is doing research, finding out exactly what your specific application will require and ensuring that specified installation procedures are followed.
Getting Natural Gas to Your Home
Natural gas is the preferred fuel for heating and water heating, and also is favored for cooking by professional chefs worldwide. In order to get natural gas to your home, it will require you to be within the boundaries of a gas utility company, which handles the installation to your property. A bulk of the homeowner responsibilities lies more on the administrative side, gathering info and filing permits.
Alternative Energy- Solar Power Benefits
Electricity can be costly, not only to hook up, but to use consistently in your home as well. Solar power can be a cleaner energy source and can be a more cost-efficient option in the long run. Depending on which state you live in, you could be eligible for financial compensation if you install solar panels for space heating and cooling, cooking and for water heating. Solar panels are also an amazing option for those living off the grid or those with no access to electricity hookups.
Becoming a land owner can be a very exciting time in any person’s life, but can at times also be overwhelming. Check out these articles and our other articles on Land University for questions, concerns, and other ideas for your new property.