The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning that a cold front will hit Johannesburg and the rest of Gauteng from Thursday, July 22 and as anticipated, City Power is already experiencing an increase in the demand for electricity.
According to a statement released by City Power, cold weather normally causes overloading as consumers of electricity switch on their high-consumption appliances such as heaters, stoves and geysers to keep warm.
This normally puts a strain on the power system and causes unplanned power outages across the City of Johannesburg.
City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena confirmed to the Northsider that City Power technicians have been put on high alert to respond to power outages as quickly as is humanly possible to ensure a limited disruption of power to residents of the city.
While other areas are not excluded, City Power overloading hotspots are usually areas such as Alexandra, Tshepisong, Roodepoort, Rabie Ridge and Allandale, where as a last resort to balance the load on the network, load rotation may be implemented.
City Power appeals to all the residents to use electricity sparingly to avoid a situation whereby they are compelled to implement load rotation.
Tips on how to use power sparingly:
• If you are not using it, switch it off.
• Switch off your pool pump and geyser if you are going away on holiday.
• Insulate your geyser with a blanket or other insulating material to conserve energy.
• Infrared lights on appliances also consume electricity; switch them off at the wall socket.
• If you are going on holiday ensure that your timer switch is in good working condition to switch your outside lights off during the day and on during the night.
• Switch off lights in unoccupied rooms. If you are going on holiday switch off all inside lights.
• How long will you be away? Why not leave perishables and grocery shopping so that you can switch off your fridge?
• An unoccupied house does not need to be warmed or cooled; remember to switch off the air conditioners, under-floor heaters and other appliances.
• Use the right appliances for the purpose.
• Do not make toast in the oven as this uses three to four times more electricity than an electric toaster.
• Boil water in a kettle rather than in a pot.
• Ensure that the size of the pot matches the size of your hotplate.
• Do not use pots with uneven bottoms as they use more energy.
• Take a shower instead of a bath.
