How to keep the winter breeze at bay

During the winter season, 8 percent of an average household’s electricity bill is used on heating. There are various ways to retain heat in your home and also reduce the amount of electricity that is used for heaters in your home.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said that during the winter season, residents should reduce the amount of electricity they use in order to alleviate pressure on the national grid.

Insulated and drought-proofed rooms require 51 percent less energy to heat and he believes that getting your home in shape for winter will help reduce the need to heat up an entire room.

Here is what you can do:

•  Use foam tape to seal windows and doors if they do not close properly. Winter drafts cause 25 percent of heat loss
•  Hang curtains and apply insulation film to windows to reduce heat transfer
•  Door snakes at the bottom of the door stop cold air from entering a room. Aluminium skirts with rubber seals are also a great way to seal outside doors
•  Seal the chimney if you have one and have a damper installed when the chimney is not in use. If it’s not used at all, seal the top and bottom.
•  Install a fire-retardant ceiling insulation with approximately 40 percent of heat lost through the roof. Ceiling insulation makes your home up to 5 percent warmer in winter.
•  Try to delay using your space heater between 5pm and 9pm during the peak hours as the demand for electricity is high in residential areas. Alternatively, you can dress warmly, cover yourself with a thick blanket and snuggle up with a hot water bottle.
•  Only heat the room you are occupying and use the correct type of heater when you feel the need for extra warmth.

Phasiwe added that when shopping for a new space heater, it is advisable to look for one with international energy efficiency label.

“An energy-efficient model might be slightly high in price but is cheaper to run in the long run than an energy-intensive model with a lower price tag,” concluded Phasiwe.