why do amish people not use electricity?
151616
because they don't believe in electrticity. Remmeber back in the day when electricy was never invented. well thats how amish people live. they use candles instead of flourescent light bulb. they have no telephones. they have no electricity.
846799
It takes energy to push that current through your lights and appliances, and that's what your paying for. One way to see it is to consider that what comes out the downstream prong is at 0 volts and therefore of no use to anyone. Or, you could just wire all your lamps in series and see how that works!
933834
The first step to energy independance is to reduce to an absolute minimum.  Having electric wires coming into our homes, we have become used to unlimited energy availability.  Find ways to maximize efficiency and minimize the amount of energy required.\n\nThe only reasonable budget I've seen from someone installing a full off grid system was in a house which was far from the existing power lines.  The cost to run poles and wires was on the order of $15000.  That immediately created an option for solar / wind and off grid independance.  The home owner installed solar panels for heat and battery charging.  A wind turbine supplemented the photovoltaic system.  He budgeted energy consumption and purchased very efficient appliances.  In the end his total energy created was just slightly over calculated requirements.\n\nIf you are entering this project with dreams of living forever with free unlimited electricity you will be sadly disappointed.  The equipment and installation is expensive.  The amount of energy being created is greatly limited and you will have to cut back greatly.  You will learn not to leave the television on with no one in the room.  No more lights on in every room either.\n\nIt is a very positive project, and absolutely worthwhile.  I'm working on a small wind turbine project.  It will consist of a 800 watt generator mounted on top of an 80 foot guyed tower.  Right now it's tied up in municipal permits and other nonsense.  In the end I hope to generate about 10% of my household electrical requirements.  Payback time, assuming no downtime, maintenance or repairs will be about 12 years.  Clearly it is not a money saving investment.  I view it as a hobby to learn with and explore.  I could blow an equal amount of money in a few months on cigarettes or beer and have nothing to show for it in the end.  My justification for the money spent is to have fun with it.\n\nHave a look at the project as it has proceeded so far.  I have the wiring diagram, charge controller circuit, pictures of foundations, and so on online.  Contact information is there as well.\n\nhttp://members.rennlist.org/warren/wind.html\n\nGood luck with your project!
1121384
Since they live in tribes, I'd assume they don't use any electricity
439189
"Meidung" or shunning was used toward dissidents.  If anyone was seen to hold views or behaviors at odds with the simple lifestyle of the Amish, they were shunned.  This was a way of bringing them back to the comminuty, since it was an isolated existence, and also of separating them from others so they couldn't "contaminate" them with their ideas.  This was a very effective form of resistence to assimilation.
953325
You're right that they are born into it, but outsiders are allowed to convert to their religion if they wish. \nAlso, if a person wants to remain a member of the Amish community, they must marry an Amish person.  Intercultural marriages are not allowed in the Amish religion, so I think that you're right; most are German/Dutch.
952769
In America, the Amish seem to be living according to the Philosophy of Love.  They have modest wants, they are generous with their things, and they are slow to anger.
212281
Generally, appliances use electricity.  Some small amount of it is transformed to movement or light.  The majority of electricity is transformed to hear, which is dissipated to the environment.  Waste hear generated in this manner cannot effectively be captured and used for anything useful.  However, the waste heat generated by the refrigerator, light bulbs, and ovens will reduce the heat needed to keep your house warm in the winter.
665347
Yes... I grew up around Amish country in Ohio.  My great-greandparents were Amish, but they "jumped the fence" (left the religion) before they committed to be baptized.  I still have Amish relatives in Indiana, and the family goes there for a huge family reunion in the summer.
154163
Because winter has the driest air of any season.\nThere is generally less general moisture in the air.  On top of that, people usually have the heat on in the home, which dries the air out even more.\n\nWant to cut down the static electricity?  Buy and use a humidifier.
81055
I am not aware of the Amish people seeking converts. They seem to keep to themselves, try to do without modern conveniences and entertainment, and for this reason most people don't understand them.
427900
Shutting off power would cost so much money, it's not worthwhile. There are some places where shutting down isn't feasible such as patients on life support systems and emergency systems. Note that anything that can conduct electricity gets affected since the entire Earth gets blasted by the sun storms, so I don't think that there is much that anyone can do.
304288
They dwelled in houses and actually had electricity!\n\nYour question is still much too general.  \n\nWhere?  In what country (countries)?\n\nThere must be some specific subject  -- for instance, technologically, socially, politically -- on which your answer should be centered.\n\nThe more specific you can get, and the more information, you provide, the more appropriate answers you'll receive.\n\nGood luck.
476596
most does not. just the navajo reservation in the ne corner\nall states should not use it\nlet's leave our clocks where they are and not adjust them unless the power goes out
1178087
Were they Amish or Mennonite? They're not stupid, whichever they were. Please be a bit kinder.
1086593
It is generally pretty difficult to store electricity, and it is also difficult to cope with rapid changes in load (the demand for electricity) on a distribution circuit.\n\nElectricity suppliers manage the distribution network by forecasting demand and by basically switching power station on or off, or adjusting their output, as required. So it is worth saving electricity because they can then just produce less. Some also store excess energy in things like pumped storage systems (there is one at Dinorwic in Wales - it pumps water up a mountain then later uses it to drive a hydro station).\n\nVery large power stations are much harder to turn off or even turn down, so when demand falls and supply is mainly due to these then yes, a lot of energy is wasted. Microgeneration is much more responsive.
760002
They would not vote as part of separating themselves. They do not join the military but the were conscripeted in WWII and served in civilian positions and not in the military. Some do use  electricity in certain circumstances.