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.