Ep 1. Divorce Dust

Sarah Off the Grid is a Canadian documentary television series that follows the journey of Sarah Richardson, a renowned interior designer, as she designs and builds her own off-the-grid home in Georgian Bay, Ontario. The show documents her efforts to create a sustainable living space whilst living entirely off the grid.

Season 1 of Sarah Off the Grid premiered on September 25, 2017, with the first episode titled "Divorce Dust." In this inaugural episode, Sarah begins her journey by buying a plot of land and attempting to design and build her dream home from scratch, all while dealing with the aftermath of her recent divorce.

The episode starts with Sarah visiting her newly acquired 100-acre property in Georgian Bay. The site has absolutely no infrastructure, and Sarah has to completely start from scratch. Sarah begins by setting up a makeshift camp on the plot, complete with a tent and a makeshift kitchen, so she can start the process of designing the home.

As Sarah begins the design process, she realizes the importance of careful planning and budgeting. She meets with her builder and energy consultant, Mike Holmes, to review the site and plan the layout of the house. Together, they discuss the benefits of using natural and sustainable building materials, like straw and wood, which can help reduce the home's carbon footprint and provide a healthier living environment.

Throughout the episode, Sarah also deals with personal struggles, mainly the weight of her recent divorce, which ultimately influences her design choices for her new home. She talks about how she craves privacy and needs to have an identity of her own that exists without her ex-husband. This is reflected in her decision to design a small, cozy space that will perfectly meet just her needs.

The episode also delves into the challenges of living off the grid, especially when it comes to energy needs. Sarah has to explore off-grid energy solutions, which include setting up solar panels and a backup generator for her electric needs. She consults with her energy expert, Peter Luckett, as she seeks to find the best energy solution for her home.

As the episode progresses, Sarah starts to realize the importance of community support when trying to build an off-grid home. She enlists the help of her neighbors, who are also living off the grid, to help her navigate this new lifestyle. Together, they discuss how to maintain the environment they have built and how to use renewable materials in building their homes.

Despite the challenges that Sarah faces, the episode ends on a high note as Sarah's hard work finally pays off. She unveils her final design plans, and construction on her dream home begins. The first steps of building the foundation and setting up the geothermal system are filmed, showing that Sarah's vision of her sustainable, off-the-grid home is becoming a reality.

In conclusion, Sarah Off The Grid season 1, episode 1, titled "Divorce Dust," is an inspirational look into the challenges and triumphs of designing and building an off-grid home. Sarah's story is a testament to the perseverance and determination required to live off the grid and to make one's vision a reality.