Every Every seasonal change brings its own demands and lifestyle changes. Nothing is truer for winter when energy demands get higher, and you don’t want to break the bank to keep your household and business warm and heated. 

A little can go a long way when it comes to your lights, appliances, and other items in your home or business that require energy. Here are tips to keep your energy costs as low as possible: 

1 – Lights

When it comes to keeping the light on, not every light needs to be on all at the same time. It’s wise to replace your incandescent lamps with energy-saving CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Switch off the lights when you leave any room.  

2 – Fridges 

Set it to 3˚C, this temperature is cool enough to keep food and drink cooler and retain their nutritional value. Ensure that all the seals of your fridge or freezer are sealed and don’t open it unnecessarily. 

3 – Dishwashers and Washing Machines

Upkeep is important, we just need to fully utilise the appliances in our spaces in an energy-efficient way. Make sure you have a full load of either dishes or laundry. 

Understand how your dishwasher or washing machine works and set it to the eco-function for less consumption.

4 – Geysers 

We all know switching the geyser on and off can be a pain point and you don’t want to get caught on the wrong side in winter. Make sure your geyser is installed closest to the points where you use hot water the most, and insulate it with a geyser blanket to retain heat.

Remember to always opt for cold water when doing quick tasks like brushing your teeth or rinsing fruits and vegetables. Anything that minimises running hot water unnecessarily. 

5 – Air conditioning

Air conditioners are one of the big energy consumers in any space, whether at home or the office; they may account for about 40 to 50 percent of your energy bill. There are ways we can reduce the overall cost, for example: 

1. Change the air filter every 6 months to ensure optimal performance. 
2. Use the smart thermostat.
3. Keep all doors and windows closed. 
4. Set the right temperature.
5. Use the right size AC based on the room size.
6. Turn off when a room is unoccupied, or you’re not at home. 
7. Use sleep mode at night.

6 – Heaters

We all need a bit of extra heat in the winter and heaters are the option on everyone’s mind. In this case, a fan heater with a thermostat would be a good option. This allows the heat to evenly spread across the room and the thermostat switches it off when the room is cosy. Try not to switch it on for prolonged periods and always switch it off when you leave the room or aren’t home. Alternatively, a gas heater allows you to warm up your home without incurring any electricity costs.

7 – Electric Blankets

As soon as winter sets in, the electric blanket makes its debut. Make sure you use a lower heat setting, pre-heat the bed, and turn it off when not needed. Try adding extra blankets to trap heat and utilise a mattress pad to help the bed retain heat.  

Be sure to switch off your electric blanket and don’t leave it running throughout the night. This is both an energy-saving habit and a safeguard against damage or harm. 

8 – Kettle 

This is one of the small appliances that can consume a lot of energy. A kettle in your home or office can add more rands to the bill. Try these hacks: 

1. Boil only as much water as you need. 
2. Descale your kettle regularly to remove built-up limescale which causes your kettle to be less efficient and require more energy to boil the same amount of water. 
3. After boiling, pour any excess water into a thermal flask to keep it hotter for longer.
4. Use a microwave if you frequently boil small quantities of water as this might be more energy-efficient. 

Ultimately, we’re all likely to spend more to keep up with our energy consumption in winter. These simple hacks can help you spend less but if you ever need more supply to keep up the demand, we’ve got a range of industry-leading products to assist in your time of need. Reach out to our team anytime for any assistance or product-related query

Sources: 

https://www.eskom.co.za/eas/energy-saving-tips/ 
https://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/tips-and-tricks/articles/20-simple-energy-saving-habits