Off-grid living comes with a ton of perks — like energy independence and self-sufficiency — but a recent TikTok post provided a peek into what it really looks like to ditch your utility bill.

TikTok duo Sarah and Chandra (@twogirls_offgrid) live in an Earthship, a dwelling constructed to maximize sustainability and to more passively produce or generate needs — such as energy for electricity (typically solar), homegrown food, and water.

@twogirls_offgrid We do get leaks too but we are super grateful for the rain!! #newmexico #nm #offgrid #offgridlife #earthship #rain #waterleaks #raincstchment #offgridliving #offgridlifestyle ♬ original sound - ✨Sarah and Chandra✨

Sarah has previously debunked the notion that living off-grid means she doesn't have electricity. 

"I don't have an electricity bill, but I do have electricity," she clarifies. Conventional homes on the grid usually obtain water from a public utility source or privately owned well, but Sarah and Chandra's setup relies on collected rainwater.

Although rainwater proverbially "falls from the sky," its role in Earthship living isn't entirely passive, as the clip illustrates.

"We're having a rainstorm right now, and as soon as I got home, I realized that the last time I checked my drains was probably about a week ago," Sarah says as she donned a rain poncho and headed up to examine the roof's collection pipe.

"This is terrible. … This is really, really bad," she continues from the roof, showing followers that recent weather had caused the drain to become clogged with debris. "See? This will cause me to have a leak. ... This is our complete water source."

Sarah briefly explained how she determines whether the roof is likely to leak and admitted that it happened at least once before. 

While rainwater collection is a slightly more complex aspect of off-grid living, solar panels are a far more accessible way to save money, even if you're connected to the grid. EnergySage provides free solar quotes from an array of vetted local installers, and the service can save customers up to $10,000 on new installations.

As for Sarah and Chandra's rooftop drain clog, it was an easy fix, and the crisis was averted.

Do you have plans to significantly renovate your home? Yes — this year 👍 Yes — within a few years ⏱️ Not at the moment 👎 I don't own a home 🤷 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"Honestly, I cannot believe I was that close," Sarah says as the clip ended. 

"And since it's been such a dry year, we are super grateful for the rain," she adds.

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