Save electricity, know your number

In attempting to save electricity, the first thing consumers should know is the amount of power they are using.

Checking meter readings is not enough. 49M is introducing a formula to determine a specific number for each family or individual’s home, which is crucial for monitoring electricity consumption.

This simple calculation will allow electricity users to categorise their home’s energy rating against other homes, and against global benchmarks.

The formula is simple and provides an immediate result, it is also easy to repeat every month to track your progress in your savings efforts.

• Check your electricity bill to see what kWh you are using a month and multiply this by 12.
• Then measure every room in your home to calculate your total floor area.
• Take the annual kWh consumption you worked out and divide it by the number of square meters and that will be your number.
• Then compare this with the rating scale provided in this accompanying infographic and you will see how you are doing.

Although people believe that saving electricity is a costly expense, it is possible for people to save substantial amounts through simple behavioural changes which involve no outlay of money.

A test case study currently being concluded by The Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) with a family of four in Cape Town, indicates that in just one month of training family members to adopt simple energy-saving changes on a daily basis, they reduced their power bill from R1 200 to R800.

In this study, called My Green Home, after the first month, power-saving gadgets and appliances were added throughout the house and garden, and through that, they saved 48% in electricity costs in just three months.

The test case study will be concluded in the middle of October and the results will be announced by the GBCSA. The Ngewana family, described as a typical South African family living in a three-bedroom suburban home with a swimming pool, if they continue using the energy-efficient equipment installed, as well as their new usage habits, will be saving R18 000 in the coming year on water and electricity.
There are several no-cost interventions which people can do on a daily basis and families are being encouraged to let these become a matter of habit around the house.

They are behavioural changes which alone can save more than 10% of electricity costs as proven by the Ngewana family.

They involve simple things such as:

• Switching off lights that are not used;
• Turning the geyser thermostat to 60 degrees;
• Using the minimum amount of hot water, only boiling as much water as is needed in a kettle;
• Keeping the fridge and freezer as full as possible;
• Defrosting frozen foods overnight in the fridge as opposed to using a microwave;
• Matching pot sizes with stove plates;
• Keeping the oven door closed during meal preparation and switching it off 10 to 15 minutes before the cooking time elapses;
• Using the microwave instead of the oven where possible;
• Using a toaster instead of toasting bread in the oven;
• Reducing shower time to 7 minutes;
• Reducing the number of stove plates used during meal preparation by choosing to cook one-pot meals;
• Cooking extra and freezing left-over portions;

• Using cold meats during the summer months, which is not only healthy but energy efficient as well.

Other steps, involving some cost, can be done.

These include:

• Insulating the geyser and hot water pipes;
• Ceiling and roof insulation;
• Changing lighting to CFL or LED and installing sensors lighting outside or placing them on timers;
• Installing energy efficient shower heads to reduce hot water usage;
• Installing a geyser timer and pool pump timer;
• Investing in energy efficient small appliances such as the kettle and toaster, iron, electric pressure cookers, induction plates and the microwave;
• Investing in a gas heater;
• Planting trees in front of windows and north-facing and west-facing wall facades as this will block the sum ensuring a cooler interior;
• Using windows and door seals to reduce ventilation during winter.

And finally for those who really want to invest to save. They can install:

* A solar water heater;

* Energy efficient white appliances such as fridges, washing machines and dishwasher;

* A gas stove;

* Ceiling fans or some form of ventilation rather than air conditioners

* Double-glazed windows;

* Solar panels;

* A wood burning fireplace;

* Internal wall insulation;

* Other floor options such as wood, wood laminate or carpets which keep the heat better than tiles or stone flooring.