Many cost-conscious consumers who have converted to prepaid electricity to cut their energy bills, are still spending excessively in winter.
Shadrack Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer at the FNB Service Provider says FNB customers spent on average 12 per cent more on prepaid electricity purchases during the 2016 winter period than the period after. This was subsequent to a 9,4 per cent average price increase in April 2016.
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This year, the national energy regulator has approved a 2,2 per cent average price increase which was implemented on 1 April 2017 for Eskom direct customers. The increase will be effective from 1 July for municipalities.
Following on from the increased usage trend during winter and the increased tariffs, Eunice Sibiya, Head of Consumer Education, shares six tips on how consumers can lower their electricity bills this winter:
• Lighting – always use energy-efficient lights and avoid switching on lights in rooms that you aren’t using.
• Gas – consumers that use gas heaters and stoves can reduce their electricity bills substantially in winter. Although converting to gas may require a large investment initially, consumers will save in the long-term.
• Geyser – the bulk of electricity in most households is consumed by geysers, especially in winter when it is much colder. Installing a geyser timer to manage consumption during peak times can help consumers to save.
• Refrigerator – old freezers generally use more electricity than new ones, as they work harder to maintain cool temperatures. Consider servicing or replacing your old fridge/ freezer to save on electricity costs.
• Appliances on standby mode – appliances that are not completely switched off and remain in standby mode, such as TVs, hi-fis, decoders and microwaves, consume a lot of electricity. Switch them off at the plug, and reduce your electricity costs.
• Pool – cover your pool in winter when you are not using it as pool pumps and filters use a lot of electricity to keep it clean.
“With electricity costs continuing to increase, it has become imperative for consumers to continuously look for practical ways to reduce their consumption.
Any form of saving can go a long a way in helping everyone cope in these tough times,” Eunice said.
FNB currently covers 65 per cent of all local municipalities which have prepaid electricity services and includes coverage for all Eskom municipalities nation-wide.
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