Page 12 - Energize April 2022

NEWS

How to save money with a smart home

he cost of living in South Africa the grid as well as to monitor equipment and switch it on or off when I am away
is skyrocketing, with headline from home. I have also connected my freezer to a smart plug which turns on during
TConsumer Price Inflation projected the day. In the evening it then switches off and runs off batteries which were charged
at 5,5% in 2022, according to a recently via solar power.
released forecast by the Bureau for “When it comes to energy efficiency, my geyser, for example, would use 27% to
Economic Research (BER). 30% of my total consumption in the summer. But in the winter, this could go up to
Rising electricity prices, high domestic 45%. With a smart controller, you can heat water as and when you need it, whether
food inflation and elevated fuel prices you are at home or not.”
are expected to be the key sources of Translating this consumption to cost savings, Fritz explains that when the geyser’s
inflationary pressure this year. With this thermostat is not switched off, it could use around 72 kWh/day. “This could cost
in mind, it is vital for South Africans to around R179,99 per day and roughly R5399,70 for 30 days. If you are able to monitor,
save money where they can and exercise schedule and control the thermostat you can easily bring this cost down,” he says.
more energy efficiency to minimise cost Ignatius Kitching, a director at Khanyile Kitching Electrical agrees that smart
implications. devices can save users money per month. “By putting the control in their hands, they
Dr Andrew Dickson, CBI-electric: low have the power to drive their consumption and can actually see which appliances are
voltage’s engineering executive, says that adding the most to their monthly bill.”
smart home devices are a great solution to Commenting on these points, Dr Dickson says that these are just a few ways that
assist cash strapped consumers in 2022. smart devices can save homeowners money and improve their energy consumption.
“Smart home devices were developed “With the cost of living set to increase throughout the year, now is the time for South
to make people’s lives easier by allowing Africans to put the power in their hands and save in areas that they can control,” he
them to automate various processes in the concludes.
home via an app,” he says.
He adds that these devices can also Contact CBI-electric: low voltage, Phone 11 928 2000, cbi@cbi-electric.com,
be used to reduce energy bills and help https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za
homeowners become more energy
efficient.
“For example, geysers, pool pumps
and heating use a large amount of energy
if they are on for long periods of time.
With smart devices such as smart plugs,
controllers and isolators, users can
monitor and control these appliances as
well as schedule them to turn on and off at
specific times and on particular days.
“Smart devices also allow people to
schedule activities such as the operation
of irrigation systems. The irrigation system
can be automated to switch on and off at
select times. If the App detects a rainy day,
the system will not switch on, thanks to its
integration with weather services. This not
only saves electricity, but water too, which
can lower the total municipal bill.”
To highlight these savings further,
South Africans have outlined how they are
using smart devices to minimise costs:
Daniel Fritz, a technician at PEC Utility
Management in Cape Town says he mostly
runs his house off the grid. “I use a smart
controller to connect and disconnect from

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