Tips to save electricity daily

The system is constrained but stable and no load shedding is anticipated.

Eskom stated in a press release that they are implementing a maintenance plan to increase reliability, which will increase the operating reserves and stabilise the grid.

“As daytime temperatures begin to rise, especially between 10am and 5pm, we urge all South Africans to partner with us to save 10% of their electricity usage throughout the day,” states the release.

Every household in South Africa can save electricity and money through the wise use of energy in their homes.

Here are a few energy saving tips:

Stoves

• Use pressure cookers when preparing foods that take a long time to cook.

• Match pots and pans to stove plates, small pots on large plates waste electricity.

• Do not use pots with distorted bottoms.

• Switch off the plates or oven before food is fully cooked, allowing completion of cooking at a diminished heat.
• Keep oven doors closed until food is cooked.

• Do not preheat the oven. It isn’t necessary to preheat the oven except for food requiring high temperatures and slow cooking times.

• Make use of the oven’s leftover heat. Your oven retains heat for 15 to 30 minutes after it is turned off. Use the free heat to warm up desserts, rolls or freshen crackers and cookies.

• Glass and ceramic pans retain heat better than metal pans.

• Use the self-cleaning feature only when really necessary.

Start the self-cleaning cycle right after cooking while the oven is still hot. Less energy will be required to reach cleaning temperature.

Microwave ovens

• When you defrost food, leave it in the fridge overnight. You will use less electricity than defrosting food in the microwave.

• Use the microwave to cook small to medium quantities of food. For larger portions of meat, it is better to use a conventional oven or pressure cooker.

Freezers

• Freezers work harder to remove heat and have to use more power, only 90% of a freezer’s capacity should be used for freezing.

• Defrost regularly.