PROPERTY NEWS - Here in South Africa, we’re in the full swing of the winter season and the chill has well and truly set in, which means most of us are having to pull out all the stops to keep our homes bright and warm.
“Domestic electricity usage typically climbs quite dramatically in winter,” says Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group. “We have lights on for longer, we break out the space heaters and electric blankets, we boil kettles and use ovens more frequently, and we dry our laundry with tumble dryers rather than in the sun.”
All this can add up to quite a scary electricity bill at the end of the month, and is not great for our environment given that much of South Africa’s power is generated by fossil fuels.
The good news is that there are more and more eco-friendly energy-saving products hitting the market every year, and these can not only save you money in the short term, but add value to your property as well!
Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important energy-saving elements of any home, and can reduce heating requirements in a room by over 50%. The most effective areas to focus on are ceiling spaces and windows and doors, but don’t forget your geyser and hot water pipes, too.
“Ceiling insulation probably gives the best ‘bang for buck’” says Clarke, “being relatively affordable, easy to install, and immediately effective. It’s a legal requirement for new buildings and extensions in SA, but is just as important in older properties that could use a hand staying cool in summer and warm in winter.”
Popular ceiling insulation products include glass wool, polyester fibre sheeting, or loose cellulose which is pumped into ceiling spaces. Many of these products are recycled and reduce energy consumption by more than the amount used to produce them, making them not only affordable, but eco-friendly too!
Windows and doors can be trickier to insulate unless you can afford double-glazing, which is a costly (but very effective) option. Clarke suggests using thriftier methods like thick, floor to ceiling curtaining in the evenings to block out the chill and trap warm air indoors.
“Draft-proofing strips can also help reduce heat loss through cracks and crannies,” he says, “and can be found at most hardware stores at a very affordable price.”
Lighting
Winter days are short, which means we turn lights on earlier and use them for longer. This can be a big electricity guzzler depending on the type of lights you use in your home.
“Incandescence lamps and halogen downlights are some of the worst offenders,” says Clarke, “but they’re also very easy to replace now that LED technology is becoming more accessible.”
Wherever possible, Clarke recommends replacing power-hungry lightbulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescents, but also suggests keeping lights off in rooms you’re not actively using.
Appliances
Most modern appliances are designed to be power-efficient, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to increase those benefits with a few thrifty tricks.
“Keep unused appliances unplugged instead of on standby,” suggests Clarke, “and try to only run dishwashers and washing machines when they’re completely full. For kettles, the opposite is true – only boil as much water as you need at that moment. Heating anything more is just wasting energy on water that’ll be left to cool.”
When it comes to cooking, slow roasts may be delicious and tummy-warming, but running your oven for hours on end is a costly affair. Slow-cookers and convection microwaves are energy efficient alternatives, otherwise try a pot roast on a gas hob. Winter warmers don’t have to be expensive affairs!
Heating
It’s no good trying to trap heat in your home if there’s no heat there to begin with, and not all of us are lucky enough to have wood-burning fireplaces to warm our toes. Thankfully, there are heating options that won’t put too big a dent in your pay cheque.
Eskom experts recommend oil heaters for sustained use in small to medium-sized rooms, or fan heaters with thermostats to heat larger spaces quickly and economically. If you’re just looking to warm yourself up, an infrared heater will do the job using very little power.
“Remember, you’re trying to keep yourself cosy, not your whole home,” says Clarke, “so don’t worry about chilly rooms if you’re not spending much time there. Rather focus on the one or two spaces that your family uses most, and don’t underestimate the power of a fluffy blanket and a hot cup of tea.”
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