Energy Saving Tips in and around your home

The fact that South Africa is experiencing an energy crisis is no secret and we need to find solutions urgently. It will take a combined effort from households, businesses and government to work together and change our dependency on the national energy provider to supply our energy.

Here are some suggestions from Enervision to save money and electricity:

Power off and unplug equipment not in use

This should be one of the easiest things to do but a lot of people consider it an unnecessary challenge. Lights and appliances like the home cooling and heating systems, televisions and other equipment should be turned off and unplugged when not in use. It is important to note that turning appliances off but leaving them plugged in to an energy source contributes to “phantom load” and consumes a lot of energy that could otherwise be saved and put to better use.

Reduce Laundry

Doing washing every day is not always necessary. Cut one or two loads of washing per week and consider switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week. In addition, running a tumble drier uses a lot of electricity, so hand dry your laundry as often as you can. If you live in a small flat or cannot hang laundry outside, you can still air dry it by using driers perfect for indoors. Do all ironing at the same time once a week.

Upgrade home appliances frequently

Upgrading appliances being used at home or purchasing new ones occasionally can also reduce energy and save costs. This is because newer appliances are increasingly being built with considerations for reducing the load to power systems and reducing energy consumption.

In The Kitchen

There are a few ways you can reduce electricity consumption in the kitchen including insuring that your freezer is regularly defrosted and you keep the fridge and freezer doors properly closed and seals in good condition. The appliances lose air quickly which means that a lot of energy will be used to cool them down again. Another suggestion in the kitchen is to wait until the dishwasher is full before turning it on. Cook with the correct size pot that matches the stove plate. Don’t fill the kettle – only boil the water that you need.

Use Less Hot Water

The amount of electricity used to heat water in your home is also considerable. If left unchecked, it could result in excessive water accounts. Instead of bathing, take a short shower to save electricity. You should also invest in a geyser blanket to insulate and keep the water warmer for longer.

Use Efficient Lighting

Instead of incandescent lamps, use the compact fluorescent ones or change to CFL (energy saving) globes. You will save more than 75 percent of the power you use on lighting alone. This will contribute a great deal to reducing your overall electricity costs. If you have outside lighting, place these on a day/night switch or better yet, convert these to solar powered lights.

Use Natural Light

We have the most amazing sunlight in South Africa so why not use it to your advantage. Save electricity by using natural lighting during the day. Keep curtains open and if you’re currently building a home, install large windows to let in enough light so as to avoid switching on the lights. Dress for the season – warm in winter and light clothing in summer. Grab that fleece blanket closer to keep you warm in front of the television

Schedule an energy audit

An energy audit will help you find smart ways to reduce your home and business energy bills and, in the process, lower your carbon footprint. We offer energy audits which give detailed analysis of your existing installations including information on where the most energy is being used and prescribe specific methods or appliances for improved power efficiency. If you would like to schedule an energy audit contact us on.

Following these simple steps will go a long way in improving energy efficiency and support the government efforts to reduce energy costs and wastage, while conserving available energy for utilisation in homes and buildings. Schedule today your energy audit by calling us.