Page 12 - Blue Valley_Issue 5_2022

HOME FRONT

USE ONLY

WHAT YOU

NEED IN YOUR

HOME

s part of a microcosm community, most
residents continuously strive to be
Aresponsible and diligent homeowners.
With a limited supply of electricity, (a situation
that still affects us all), it is important for us to
work together, to manage our consumption and
to use only what we really need.
So when and how is the best time to use your
electricity? Eskom has provided some tips
and guidelines on how to be energy smart. By
practising these tips and implementing this
behaviour regularly, it will help you to reduce
your electricity bill in the long term, while
helping to reduce extra strain on the grid.
SWITCH OFF DURING EVENING
PEAK TIMES
Did you know that your geyser contributes up
to 30% of your monthly energy usage? Switch it
off during peak times, between 5pm and 9pm,
to help reduce demand on the grid during this
period. You can insulate your geyser and hot
water pipes to reduce heat loss and, in so doing,
make your water system more efficient.
SHOWER INSTEAD OF BATHING
When you shower, you use considerably less
water than bathing and, if you use a water-
efficient showerhead in your shower, you are
doubling your efforts to save on hot water,
which means less work for your geyser. Mathias Reding

LIGHT THE WAY
Replacing all your incandescent bulbs with
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and CFLs
(Compact Fluorescent Lamps) will contribute
greatly towards reducing your electricity
consumption and, in the long term, reduce
your utility bill. Load-shedding battery back-
up LED globes will also help you to keep the
lights on when the power goes off. Remember
to switch off the lights if you’re not occupying
a room.
UNPLUG
Don’t leave your appliances on standby mode,
as they still use up to 15% of their operating
power. Rather switch them off at the plug point
and do not forget to unplug your cell phone
charger after your phone has charged, or it will
continue to draw power.

Victor Furtuna Frederico Bottos

10 • Issue 5 2022 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS