Electricity has become expensive worldwide. With Global Warming and Climate Change affecting our planet, reducing the amount of power we consume in our homes and businesses has become even more critical. Importantly, energy savings result in improved balance. We look at ten easy ways to save Electricity in the house.
Electricity and its supply are in demand worldwide, with climate change being one of the driving factors. There are many ways to save Electricity. However, this post looks at the most effective ways to save power.
10 Easy Ways To Save Electricity
We all know the cost of energy is high. So, how can we save energy without spending a fortune? In this post, we look at ten easy ways to save Electricity in the home.
Current Price Of Electricity In South Africa
Prices of Electricity As of July 2018 Courtesy Of Review
- (0-50 kWh) is set at 90c per kWh Domestic Homes (Block 1)
- (51-350 kWh) will be 112c per kWh. (Block 2)
- (351-600 kWh) is set at 165c per kWh. (Block 3)
- ( more than 600 kWh) is set at 194c per kWh. (Block 4 )
A basic charge of R87 per month is payable per household.
Commercial users, prepaid and conventional, will pay a basic charge of R485 per month.
Converting Watts into Kilowatt Hours
To calculate the Kilowatt Hours of an electrical device, one must confirm the wattage of the electrical equipment.
Once we know the duration of the appliance and the watts produced, we can calculate the amount of Electricity consumed when it is switched on.
Formula to calculate electricity consumption = watts converted to Kilowatts x hours run time.
An Example of Standard 50 watt Down-lights
10 Downlights @ 50 watts for 7 hours run time will be as follows.
500watts ÷ 1000= .5 watts now multiply .5 x 7 hours run time = 3.5kWh.
3.5kWh x 30 days @ R0.90 per kWh= R94.50 on 10 Down-lights.
An Example of LED Energy Efficient Down-lights
10 Downlights @ 3 watts for 7 hours run time will be as follows.
30watts ÷ 1000= .03 watts now multiply .03 x 7 hours run time = .21kWh.
.21kWhx 30 days @ R0.90 per kWh= R5.67 on 10 Down-lights
End Result LED lights run at 16.5 times less electricity. It makes you wonder how much we could have saved over the years.
Install LED Lights
As we all know, lighting can use large amounts of Electricity. Most modern homes have many Downlights, most of which are 40 watts or even 50 watts. As a result, a house with 30 Downlights switched on will consume 1200 watts to 1500 watts an hour.
One can see the electricity wasted in the supply of lighting in the home. LED lighting is 16.5 times more economical than conventional lights.
Energy Star Appliances Are More Energy Efficient
Electrical appliances are estimated to draw as much as 20% of our electricity bill. Modern-day devices will save up to 50% on Electricity.
Modern-day appliances are far more energy-efficient. As a result of the worldwide energy crisis and Global Warming, all major appliance manufacturers are pushing for the most efficient machines in line with energy-saving.
With EnergyStar appliances, the highest-rated and most energy-efficient is the A+++. For example, a washing machine with an A+++ rating will use as much as 50% less Electricity and 55% less water when one considers that homes will have fridges, freezers, TVs, etc., in the house. If all these products were EnergyStar-rated, we would save a substantial amount of Electricity in the home.
Turn Down Your Hot Water Geyser
The hot water geyser can consume as much as 3000 watts while heating. Lowering the thermostat settings will improve energy loss. However, the best option is to turn off the geyser when unused. Having the geyser turn off automatically at certain times of the day or night will help substantially lower the electricity loss.
Hot water geysers are the most prominent electricity thief in the home, followed by Air-conditioners and heating. Hot water geysers will consume between 30% and 50% of the Electricity in the house.
As a result, lowering the thermostat reduces the need for the thermostat to kick in often, resulting in less loss. Another option that works well is switching off the geyser during the daytime. In most cases, this works well in winter as well.
Electricity is expensive, especially in South Africa, where there is load shedding. Our electricity costs are far higher than in most countries, and we have an electricity shortage. For this reason, we must look at ways to save electricity to save money on our monthly living expenses.
Insulated geysers are far more energy-efficient. Also, covering the hot water pipes with insulation reduces heat loss on cold days.
Solar Geysers will save a substantial amount of Electricity in the home. Look at these Solar Geyser prices to see if they fit your long-term budget to save money on reducing electricity costs in the house.
Solar Power
Solar power is one of the best ways to save Electricity, especially in South Africa, where we have long, hot days. Solar heating has come a long way in the last few years.
In fact, due to the energy crisis, solar power and many alternative energy sources are emerging worldwide. Above all, there are many advantages to solar energy.
The Solar Energy pieces have dropped substantially over the last few years. In particular, Canadian Solar panels are affordable and very effective. For this reason, the number of solar panels required is far less. The latest Canadian Solar Panels are 380 watts per panel.
Fridge and Freezer
Reduce the amount of energy lost by opening and closing these appliances immediately. When the refrigerator or freezer is opened, warm air rushes in immediately. As a result, the longer the device is open, the longer the cooldown time will be.
Gas Stoves Are Far More Energy Efficient
Electric stoves are energy guzzlers. If you install a gas stove, you will be shocked at the energy saving. Additionally, gas is cleaner and less harmful to the environment.
One of the best ways to save Electricity is to cook on a gas stove. Firing up the gas stove gives instant heat, so cooking starts immediately. Many electric stoves take a few minutes to reach optimum temperature. The most significant benefit is load shedding, which does not affect a beautiful home-cooked meal, especially in winter.
Install Solar Film on The Windows
As much as 20% of heat gain in the home occurs through the windows. On hot days, the sun’s rays heat the house as they shine through. Fitting Solar Film on the windows will reduce this heat flow substantially.
The solar film has up to 90% UV to stop the sun’s rays. Accordingly, the home will be more relaxed in the summer.
Install Heavy Curtains With Block Out
Heavy Curtains have several benefits in the home. In homes with heavy curtains, one can expect the house to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
On hot summer days, curtains should be closed to prevent heat from entering the home. Closed curtains will keep the house cool.
Furthermore, the cold air is kept away from the interior in winter. Accordingly, the curtains act as an insulation barrier between the cold windows and the curtains. The 75mm gap between windows and curtains is the insulation barrier.
Furthermore, heavy curtains have the additional benefit of reducing noise pollution. In my opinion, heavy curtains are one of the more affordable home upgrades.
Fix Air Leakage In The Home
Air leakage is one of the most significant contributing factors to a cold home. Above all, leakage will result in a cold house with the potential for condensation and mould. Any form of heating will have an uphill battle against this monster.
In short, most of the older steel window frames will have air leakage problems. Consequently, one will have to seal these windows with sealant foam. One of the best places to find this will be Sondor.
If these windows do not seal correctly in this way, masking tape on the inside of the window would be a good solution. Two or three layers would be better.
The tape is only to be fitted during winter, so it can be removed as soon as necessary.
Likewise, the wooden windows are also prone to air leakage. However, in most cases, we can seal wooden windows correctly with a window sealer. Once again, Sondor would be the best bet.
Remember that We can fit soft rubber with low memory and adhesive backing. Additionally, doors are a leak factor as well. As a result, door sealing rubbers and along door stops will block cold airflow into the home.
Switch Off The Air-cons. Switch On The Fans
First, running an Air-con in the home on a hot summer day is throwing money away as a cheaper option, opening doors and windows and running the fans. Moving air is cooler than fixed air.
Electric fans require a fraction of the necessary electricity to run the air conditioner. Reducing the need for heating and cooling is one of the best ways to save Electricity.
Install Good Quality Roof Insulation
Roof insulation is a compulsory benefit for all new homes. Moreover, homes insulated with SANS-compliant insulation are far more energy-efficient.
Did you know our homes lose 35% of all energy in the house will be lost via the ceiling? As a result, an insulated ceiling will have a substantial temperature improvement in summer and winter.
Furthermore, we will achieve an improved temperature of 4-8 degrees. Above all, roof insulation will substantially reduce the need for heating and cooling, especially in summer and winter.
Subsequently, homes insulated with roof insulation will recover the cost of heating and cooling in approximately three years, giving years of energy saving.
Furthermore, several roof insulation products are on the market. Aerolite Insulation, a locally made insulation, and Isotherm Insulation are the two leading brands in South Africa.
Roof insulation is probably the best of all the ways to save Electricity.
10 Easy Ways To Save Electricity
Electricity is in demand, our planet is under pressure, climate change is accurate, and we are on a knife edge. Acquiring clean energy is high on the agenda, and most countries are under pressure to find clean energy.
With this in mind, we look at 10 Easy Ways to Save Electricity. These ten ways will give us years of energy savings.
Many alternative energy sources are on the market, and more companies are searching for green alternatives. Go green, live green, recycle, and let us save our planet together, one day at a time, one watt at a time.