Friend buying Amish house - questions
 

hi =
I have a friend that would like to know how to live in an Amish home with the least amount of conversions but still be able to be somewhat in the modern world.
(actually thinking of buying an Amish house, needs information to make a decent decision)

Things like refrigeration, lighting and even internet.

If you have stories of how you've done something similar, or books or links for them to read - they would appreciate it.

Thanks for any advice or help you can point them to....

(might be useful for anyone trying to be off grid or semi-off grid.)

Angie:

Are they going to have 110V/240V service brought back in, or just set up solar and / or generator with batteries?

LED lighting whether 110 volt or 12 volt are bright with little energy. Using LED on 12 volt might work best using a cheap inverter to make 110 current. That is what we do. Otherwise the light needs to be close to the battery or the wiring needs to be larger Gauge to reduce voltage loss. The guys on AE forum can give numbers - sorry I can't !

Our DSL and HP Pavillion g7 combined use 15 to 20 watts running from a 400 watt inverter..

Sundanzer fridge/ freezer combo would work efficiently from batteries whether solar or generator charged, or both.

We run a 12 volt Sundanzer freezer, and rotate 2 "mixed nut" containers to keep our food cool. I keep the ice and main food in a small cooler, inside a larger cooler and the temp between the 2 is 60 deg F. while the temp outside the big one is 77 to 80. The temp is 38 or 40 in the small cooler.

I keep closed cell foam cut to size just below my lids to save "collness", and eliminate the smaller cooler when I bring home my organic produce, a dozen eggs and 1/2 gallon milk.

What are there plans for cooking and heating water in Summer, assuming they will not have utilities?

Here's all the information they gave me - as it's just thinking strongly about buying this.

"I'm going to look at an Amish house and I'm considering minimal/no conversion.....Could you start a thread on HT to give me ideas, and suggestions on how to do this and ways around technology. Pros/cons, etc. Thanks!"

That's what I was asked, and I'll see if I can get more information about those questions you asked as to how far they are considering on this.
Thanks for the information so far.

Do they have a Well, or would they want to use a RAM from a stream or pond?

Excellent point! I wasn't even considering water needs. They'll need to be certain it is from a dependable source.

We have 2 ways to get water - 240 volt well pump that depends on our 3500 watt Honda genny. That pump does more than I could ever do, pumping about 7 1/2 gallons a minute.

Rain is usually minimal by now, but it has been a wacky year, which means it won't always be there when you hope for it.

We can get chlorinated (they call it non-potable because of the hose) for 25 cents per 25 gallons at the Fire Department, as long as we can get down there.

I've asked for more information, and maybe a link to the real estate listing so I could answer questions better.

The friend answered me about the house:

"The paper I have with the information says that this nice Amish mini farm with newer buildings with built in 2004. The Home has 1088 square foot there is a nice 48 by 32 barn / shop / proj combination. Six stalls and a tack room included 16 foot lean-to on the barn fenced in open pasture. Private sewer private well no electric electric is right by the home. Heating type: fireplace / wood, basement partial unfinished. I've heard running electric is expensive, so open to all suggestions."

a little more to go on when answering the questions:

" As far as cooking in summer, I have eggs for breakfast every morning. And I do a lot of salads, fruit and veggies, and homemade smoothies My time management skills suck so I'm concerned about washing clothes with a wringer washer, and having to light a fire to cook,"

more information:

I was considering one of those RV showers you pump the pressure up and it will run for a bit. Thought if I could get a some sort of tub near a window I could siphon water out, or maybe a solar/battery powered pump?
My cell phone has an app called PDAnet which is how I do my internet. Friends in the area say cell phone reception is good on the area. Other then car charger how to keep phone and laptop charged? Cost of these ideas would be helpful too

If it was an amish home it is probably already set up with propane lighting, refrigeration, and stove. If not, Lehman's sells the propane appliances, but they could probably purchase a used set if there is more amish in the area. Propane is usually the way Amish homes are setup.

Angie, My impression is that your friend may not have seen the inside of home yet. My questions would be: Is there plumbing in the house and or electric wiring. Both could have been put in at construction just for this kind of circumstance. The biggest expense (& variable depending on Utility co. is setting the electric meter). Since electric is "right by the house" running it inside shouldn't be that bad, time to call Electric Company and inquire. Between the two I would give up electric way before I would running water.

Since it sounds like they're including 6 dogs, maybe they would discuss the refrigerator and stove also. There may not be a real estate listing for it and while it is private well just how are they getting that water, and is it into the house.. ?

I'm also guessing this is 10-20 acres maybe 40 with some luck, which could produce a little income as well as growing freezer beef. Another subject to ask questions about. Good luck to them.

Thanks Katy- the dogs reference should have been 6 stalls. So, not that many dogs.

I am pretty sure friend has not seen inside of it yet, but hopes to soon. this thread will also help them know what to look for when going thru it.

It's going to depend on the house and what the particular restrictions that group follows. It's not uncommon for Amish in this area to have propane and propane-powered appliances already in the house. In some areas, the Amish are installing solar panels, inverters, battery banks, etc. A few have generators to power electrical equipment outside the house (workshops, nurseries, etc.) It's possible with that new of construction, it might have the infrastructure there - either to meet code standards or for resale value - just never hooked up. He needs to get in there and inspect to see what's there.

If the well is a hand operated pitcher Pump, then the annual rainfall, average monthly rainfall , as well as how it will is stored will be critical for livestock and gardening!

There are better pumps - here is a link to a prototype of one on youtube:

Our Amish friends are builders and they wire the houses they build -just don't connect it or put in plugs, lights ect. The wiring is in the walls, so that might be a possibility. Our Amish relatives use solar, so without looking, anything is possible.

Most Amish around here with wells use gas powered air compressors hooked to an old LP tank to pressurize the system.

Do check the house for electrical service and plumbing as in many places new homes are required to have all modern amenities installed even if they may not be used.

It kind of depends on the policies and traditions of the Amish community in that area. I have stayed in many Amish homes - some are wired but not connected, some are bare bones, some area allow the propane power, some don't. Each home can be as different as night and day and the only way to know is to get inside. It also depends on how much your friend wants to be off grid or on grid!! Where is this home?

The simplest answer is, "Do it the way they did it."

Lighting is not that difficult with LED lighting and a deep cycle battery. (I've seen one option in an Amish furniture store. It was almost a cross between a coat tree, a pole lamp and an end table. LED lights on top, battery in end table. Would put out a LOT of light for a long time on a charge. It was also on rollers to make it easy to move.)

Wood stove for heating, and/or wood cook stove for cooking as well, at least in winter time. Many use a gas stove in the summer time.

The water system might be a little more complex depending upon what's there but I'm sure it's something that can be figured out.

Best of luck!

I would assume water wouldn't really be much of an issue as the Amish would be using water - so there is either a well, a hand pump, or something there.

Until your friend goes to the house and inspects it, the answers are kind of a moot point. If the house is wired for electric already, it's a simple matter of hooking up to the electric company. If there is no wiring - well, that's a whole 'nother thing.

Let your friend go and inspect the house. If they are still interested in it, your friend can then tell you about the house, you can report the findings, and then solutions to it can come forth.

If they want to pput electric in there is a whole pacel of wall mount wiring available. You can rout or dado groves and run behind base boards, casings and lots of other places. Does it have a basement. Wiring can be run in the basement and poked up through the floor. Same way in attic. A good DIYfer can do it

I pretty sure I wouldn't want to stop as low as they show with the hand pump to pump a barrel full of water. 10 gal would be PLENTY, that way, a day. Id take an old time windmill pump over that rig.

Thanks with the ideas and information. I'll make sure they see it and if they have more questions.

I like the hand crank rotary pump better. It reminds me of the one we had when I was in grade school.

Your friend really has to go see th ehouse.Here where we are the Amish build without central heating systems but are required to have running water in th ehouse but can still get away with an outhouse..wierd I say. Many use propane or battery lamps have a large central room heated by the wood cookstove with th ebedrooms either off the central room or upstairs.

If I were her I would check it out and then examine if they can live that way. Also a lot of Amish are turning to solar panels on their shop buildings to run electric lights due to regulations