6 TIPS TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY COSTS

Turning on heaters is second nature when temperatures drop but as electricity usage increases so do the costs. It is possible to reduce costs by changing and readjusting behaviour.

With the onset of winter and earlier sunsets in Gauteng, temperature variations between day time highs and nightly lows can be large and often accompanied by very chilly evenings. Most people spend more time at home during the winter months which contributes to increased electricity usage.

Electricity costs are based on a sliding scale with different amounts charged per the accumulated amount of kilowatts used during the month. For instance, as at June 2020 the amount for 0 to 100 kilowatts is charged at 160.31 cents per Kwh, 101 to 400 kilowatts at 187.61 cents per Kwh, 401 to 650 kilowatts at 204.40 cents per Kwh and if more than 650 kilowatt is reached, 220.35 per Kwh is charged. During the course of a month, electricity becomes progressively more expensive. Click here to view the tariffs. Electricity prices will increase from July 2020.

Review the following tips and advice to reduce power costs.

1. Calculate how much electricity appliances use

Different appliances draw and use energy at different rates but it is possible to check which appliances are the high usage culprits. Johannesburg's City Power has a useful tool for this purpose. Enter the number of appliances and hours used to determine which appliances consume the most electricity. Click here to use the calculator. However ovens/stoves, tumble dryers and underfloor heating are well-known energy guzzlers.

2. Isolate heating

It is not necessary to heat the whole house but rather heat the room or rooms where the family spends the most time. Gas heaters provide good localised heat and are fairly energy efficient. Panel heaters although slow to heat up are quite efficient heaters. Using air conditioning to warm the home can prove costly.

3. Use the sun

Gauteng and Silver Lakes has glorious sunny winter days. Use the sun to warm the house, let the sun shine in and then as the sun sets and the temperatures start to drop, close the curtains and blinds to keep in the heat. Curtains are a good insulator and insulation material in the roof/ceiling preserves heat.

4. Pool pumps and geysers

Limit the time the pool pump runs and the same with geysers. Most pool control boxes have timer switches which makes limiting the time the pump operates easy to control. With geysers it is worthwhile to fit a timer to the distribution board. These are inexpensive and quick to install. It is then possible to automatically set the time the geyser will switch on and off on each day of the week. If setting times are well programmed it will make a noticeable difference to the electricity bill. Speak to an electrician.

5. Close off draughts

Close gaps under doors to keep the warmth inside the house.

6. Add another jersey and hit the sack early

Add another jersey, wear a beanie and scarf. This costs nothing, is energy efficient and good for the environment.

Keep busy, try not to sit too long and move around regularly. Moving and keeping busy will mean less time to think about how cold it is.

Make a hot water bottle, grab a warm drink and go to bed early.

Stay warm and start saving electricity.