Five energy-saving tips to help keep load-shedding at bay
With South Africa facing a continually constrained energy supply, load-shedding has become a normal part of life for many people.
Daily routines are reworked to cater for power cuts, and backup cooking and lighting solutions are becoming increasingly popular.
However, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) would like to remind South Africans there are simple things we can do every day to reduce power consumption, take pressure off the grid, and ultimately help to mitigate the risk of load-shedding.
“As we head into winter, we tend to use more power. Now is the time to start thinking carefully about how we use electricity,” said Barry Bredenkamp of the the general energy efficiency and corporate communications department at SANEDI.
Being cautious of consumer behaviour and implementing energy-efficient solutions are the main ways power use can be minimised.
Bredenkamp has five tips for saving energy in your home, and it all relates to your appliance’s usage.
Rethink your lighting
While turning off lights when you leave a room is a great habit, what about changing the lights themselves? Newer lighting technology such as LEDs have proved to be vastly more energy efficient than older bulbs.
“If thousands of South Africans updated their bulbs, the energy-saving would be monumental,” said Bredenkamp.
Be cautious of how you cook
“Microwaves sometimes have a bad reputation, but in fact, they cook food quickly and more efficiently than a traditional oven – especially if your oven is more than five years old.
“Consider using your microwave rather than your oven, whenever possible,” suggested Bredenkamp.
In addition, he recommended using a gas stove if available.
“Even better, bring out the braai,” he said.
Use your water appliances wisely
If you have a dishwasher, use it.
Hand washing a 12-piece dinner service by hand requires 2.5 kWh of electricity and 103 litres of water.
The same load in a dishwasher will use only 1.05 kWh of electricity and 12 litres of water while taking a fraction of the time.
When it comes to washing clothes, use a 40°C wash cycle rather than 60°C.
“This offers a 30 per cent electricity saving.
“Even better, you can save another 20 per cent of power by skipping the pre-wash cycle,” said Bredenkamp.
Furthermore, let clothes dry naturally rather than tumble drying.
Keep that fridge cold
“There’s a lot you can do to ensure your fridge is running optimally, and reduce your household energy consumption,” explained Bredenkamp.
Importantly, the seals of fridges and freezers must work properly to ensure no warm air gets in and your appliance doesn’t have to work overtime to stay cool.
Also remember to defrost your freezer regularly, as ice build-up prevents the freezer from operating efficiently, and try to limit opening and closing the fridge too often.
Think before you buy
“Home appliances are ever-improving, as manufacturers strive to play their part in reducing climate change.
“Added to that, minimum energy performance standards and associated labelling help consumers make better purchasing decisions.
“When purchasing new appliances, ensure they carry the Energy Efficiency label, preferably rated with an A-rating.
“That’s not to say you must rush out and replace everything in your house – just keep the label in mind next time you need to replace a household appliance,” added Bredenkamp.
