Unrealistic

[Icewalker]

Can anyone (presumably the folks involved with the channel read the threads) answer me why all of the shows so far .... actually pretty much everything on this channel has been so unrealistic - to the point of the examples shown being so financially unrealistic to the ordinary person as to be a joke?

I'm sure that there are more than a few folks that would be interested in examples that ordinary people who want to get off the grid can actually follow.

The $3000 homestead would be a pretty good example - But a model 'farm' in New Hampshire where a handmade barn is made made by a professional barn maker isn't exactly what I would call self sufficient, off the grid or anything else.

Why not do a show on Al Gores Jet?

I'm sure Bill Gates has an eco home ... why not do a show on that ... equally as unrealistic as everything I've seen so far.

Perhaps you should take a look at what the 'Average' American actually earns.

[Agree]

I totally agree. We would love to put in solor panels and a wind generator, but at about $30,000 + there is no way that we can afford to do it. We recycle, and reuse, but as far as what is shown on Renevation Nation, not many people out there can afford what they are showing. In fact, the rich are doing the "green" thing on the backs of the poor. The more that people like Jackson Browne do with being off the grid, the more the power companies have to charge those of us who cannot afford a set up like his.

[GaryR]

Not only that, two episodes I watched depicted the people as nearly inept and ill prepared. To the point of making fun of them. I fail to see how this helps the cause of renewable. Also, The episodes appear to have been filmed 5 to ten years ago. Nothing like what is available today Check out homepower.com for the real story. There are links to all kinds of stuff.
Rain water? Hmmm. Those big polyethylene tanks the farmers use ain't cheap, but are perfect for the use. I guess you could always use one of them above ground pools for that. It depends on what you can find in your area. Here I can get 50 gal. plastic barrels.

GaryR