Langeberg Municipality encourages residents to reduce their electricity usage during the evening peak period (5 pm to 9 pm). By rallying together, we can reduce the need for load shedding. Start by switching off the biggest energy guzzlers and do your bit to keep the lights on across the country. The following tips encourages the smart usage of electricity to not only reduce the strain on the power stations but also save you money.
Use geysers smartly
- Install your geyser closest to the points in your home where you use hot water
- Insulate a geyser with a geyser blanket
- Insulate the first 1.5 metres of water pipes leading to and from the geyser
- Do not let hot water run unnecessarily; always use basin plugs in your bathrooms and kitchen
- Use cold water in your bathrooms for quick tasks like washing your hands or brushing your teeth
- Use cold water in the kitchen to rinse fruit and vegetables
Use space heaters smartly
- A fan heater with a thermostat is the best choice to quickly heat an average room of 3 x 3 x 2.5 meter - it spreads heat evenly and the thermostat switches it off when the room is cosy
- An oil heater with a thermostat and an output no bigger than 2000W (watt) is the best choice to heat a room of 3 x 3 x 2.5 meter over a period of three hours - it heats slowly and steadily and the thermostat switches it off when the room is warm
- A heater with a thermostat and an output no bigger than 1 000W (watt) is the best choice to heat a room of 3 x 3 x 2.5 meter over a period of eight hours - it gradually raises the temperature and the thermostat switches it off when the room reaches the optimal level of thermal comfort
Use lights smartly
- Replace incandescent lamps with energy saving CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light emitting diodes) - do the same with your conventional downlights
- CFLs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent lamps and last up to eight times longer
- LEDs use up to 85% less energy than conventional incandescent lamps and about 5% less than CFLs
Use stoves and ovens smartly
- Keep your oven door closed until food is done.
- Match pots with stove plate sizes.
- Avoid using your stove for small tasks - like boiling water for tea and coffee.
- Place frozen food in the fridge to defrost - avoid defrosting food in the microwave.
- Use your microwave to cook small to medium amounts of food.
- Use a pressure cooker or slow cooker for food that cooks for a long time - such as stews and casseroles.
Use washing machines and tumble dryers smartly
- Wait for a full load of washing before you wash
- Ensure that you set your washing machine to match the load of washing - there is no need to set the machine to its highest and longest setting if you have to wash a small load.
- Only wash clothes that are dirty - heavier items such as jeans can be worn a few times before throwing them in the wash.
- Cold settings are fine - there is no need to use the hot water setting if clothes are not heavily soiled.
- Understand how your washing machine works - make sure it is set to an economy-save function.
- Keep your tumble dryer off during sunny days - use the clothes line instead.
For more information on how to save electricity visit www.eskom.co.za