Reduce your electrical usage

Endangered Wildlife Trust, Eskom and the Department of Energy provided ways that community members can practically use less electricity on a day to day basis.

How to reduce your electrical usage:

Geysers:

•  Consider using solar heating units which reduce the geyser’s electricity consumption by 40 per cent to 50 per cent.
•  Set your electrical geyser’s thermostat at 55°C to 60°C.
•  Make sure the geyser and all hot water steel pipes in the roof are well insulated with fibre glass or newspaper.
•  Take a shower instead of a bath.
•  Switch off geyser when not in use.

Lighting:

•  Switch off the lights when they are not needed.
•  Dimming switches reduce electricity consumption.
•  Use fewer bulbs with higher wattages because one 100 watt bulb produces the same light as two 60 watt bulbs.
•  Use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) instead of ordinary bulbs.
•  Consider using low-energy lamps for exterior lighting.

Heating:

•  Use infrared electricity heaters. They are the most energy efficient heaters available while oil heaters are the safest.
•  Insulate the ceiling and seal air gaps in the home.
•  Use electric blankets but turn them off when in bed.
•  Close all windows and doors when air-conditioner or heater is on.

In the kitchen:

•  Don’t fill the kettle, only boil the water you need.
•  Keep oven doors closed until food is cooked.
•  Keep the frigde door closed, make sure it is properly sealed.
•  Use pressure cookers when preparing food that takes a long time to cook.
•  Match pots and pans to stove plates. Small pots on large plates waste electricity.
•  Do not use pots with distorted bottoms.

Dishwasher:

•  Connect the dishwasher to the cold water supply.
•  Fill the dishwasher completely before operating it.
•  Turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle so that you can wipe the dishes clean with a dry cloth.
•  Clean filters.
•  When buying a dishwasher, look for energy saving features like a short wash cycle.
•  Install your dishwasher away from your refrigerator. The dishwasher’s heat and moisture make the refrigerator work harder.