With the national power grid expected to be constrained this winter, gas should be considered as an alternative.
Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas is a popular alternative energy source increasingly being used by South Africans for cooking and space heating in the home.
Eskom’s acting spokesman Khulu Phasiwe says the cost of gas is linked to the fuel price and can be calculated as approximately two litres of petrol being equivalent to 1kg of gas.
When cooking on a gas stove, a 9kg gas bottle will last between three and six months, and a 19kg bottle approximately eight months or even a year, depending on how frequently the stove is used.
Although LP gas is regulated, the cost changes regularly.
The current price can be checked on the Department of Energy’s website at www.energy.gov.org.
Households are required to get a Certificate of Conformity from an installer certified through the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSASA).
Khulu says only a registered LP gas installer is legally qualified to undertake such installations.
Chief executive officer at LPGSASA Kevin Robertson believes there is great potential for gas to replace electricity for heating and cooking in the residential sector.
“Gas for domestic use is almost 18% lower now than it was in January 2014,” he says.
The demand for gas is increasing as the consumer and commercial entities look for alternatives to electricity.
Safety of gas appliances has improved tremendously in the past decade and South Africans are assured of a more stable supply of gas.
When purchasing a gas appliance, such as a space heater, stove or free standing cooker, consumers are advised to purchase an appliance that has a Permit Verification Number displayed on it.
If it does not have a permit it has not been verified for sale in South Africa.
Investing in an electric induction cooker is, for instance, an energy smart choice.
This cooking appliance directs heat to only the area underneath a pot or pan and ensures up to 90% of energy generated is used for cooking, making it 25% more energy efficient than conventional electric stoves.
Khulu concludes: “Over 9-million electric hot plates and stoves are in use in households in South Africa.
“This causes major strain on the national grid when all are switched on between 5pm to 9pm weekdays, the period of peak demand for electricity.”
Every household in SA can help to reduce the demand for electricity by using alternative fuel sources in addition to energy efficient electric cooking appliances and electricity smart cooking methods.
For more energy saving tips, visit www.eskom.co.za/idm.
