Energy saving tips from Eskom

Eskom gives some helpful hints on how you can save up to 10 per cent on your electricity bill.

 Hot water:

• Turn down the thermostat on your electrical element geyser to 60°C
• Don’t use hot water for tasks you can accomplish with cold water – such as rinsing dishes and vegetables
• Only use hot water for cleaning tasks that really need it, like washing your hands

Fridge freezer:

• Set your fridge to 3°C – any lower and it will use more electricity than necessary
• Make sure the seals of your fridge and freezer doors are intact
• Don’t open the door unnecessarily
• Place your fridge somewhere cool – away from sun-facing walls and windows, and as far as possible from the stove
• Defrost your chest freezer twice a year; upright freezers should be defrosted three times a year
• Don’t overfill your fridge or freezer; only use 90% of its capacity

Living rooms and bedrooms:

• Always switch off lights in unoccupied rooms
• Unplug all appliances you are not using
• Don’t leave computers, TVs and DVD players on standby – if you do, these appliances use up to 50% of the power they normally use
• Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to optimise natural light and postpone switching on artificial lighting until it gets dark