What you can do to save electricity this winter
How Randfonteiners can keep their homes warm this winter without drastically increasing their electricity/energy expenses.
Did you know that insulated draught-proofed rooms require 51 per cent less energy to heat?
With space heating responsible for up to 8 per cent of an average household’s electricity bill, and increasingly tight budgets calling for measures to help keep the warmth in and the cold out, getting your home in shape for winter will reduce the need for space heating.
What can you do?
• Use foam tape to seal windows and doors if they do not close properly – draughts can account for up to 25 per cent of heat loss.
• Hang curtains and apply insulation film to windows to reduce heat transfer.
• Use “door snakes”(draught excluders) to prevent cold air entering – aluminium skirts with rubber seals on the outside of doors are also highly effective.
Seal gaps in and between bricks with a polyurethane sealant.
• Seal the chimney if you have one – the best way is to have a damper installed when the chimney is not in use; if it’s not used at all, seal it at the top and bottom.
• Install fire-retardant ceiling insulation – since approximately 40 per cent of heat is lost through the roof, ceiling insulation makes your home up to 5 per cent warmer.
What else can you do to save?
• Don’t use your space heater between 5pm and 9pm. That’s when the demand for electricity peaks in the residential sector. Instead, dress warmly, cover yourself with a thick blanket and snuggle up with a hot-water-bottle.
• Only heat the room you’re in, and use the correct type of heater when you feel the need for extra warmth:
A. A thermostat-controlled fan heater is ideal to quickly heat a room of 3 x 3 x 2.5 meters for one hour.
B. A thermostat-controlled oil heater (no bigger than 2 000W (watt)) is the best choice to heat the same room for three hours.
C. A thermostat-controlled heater no bigger than 1 000W (watt) is the most energy-efficient option to heat it for eight hours.
According to Khulu Phasiwe, Eskom spokesperson,
When shopping for a new space heater, look for one with an international energy-efficiency label.
“It might be slightly higher in price but it is cheaper to run in the long run than an energy-intensive model with a lower price tag.”
Also visit www.eskom.co.za for more winter energy-savings tips.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
