The new CEO of Eskom, André de Ruyter is really cracking the whip over at their headquarters, with investigations and audits being conducted to curb excessive spending and corruption, while the rest of us watch our Apps and the news with bated breath to see whether load shedding will be implemented on any given day.

This seems to be our reality for the next year and a half at least, so why not make the most of it? Besides, with another tariff hike planned for 2020, it would be a good idea if we learnt to be more energy efficient don’t you think?

 

How to be energy efficient:

  • Switch off the lights if you are not in the room and switch to energy-saving light bulbs or even LED’s to cut down on your electricity usage
  • Set air-conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC  
  • Switch off your geysers over peak periods  
  • Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time  
  • Turn off electronics such as TV’s, computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch when not in use.
  • Make sure your house is properly insulated before winter comes, this will prevent you from having to run the heater all day long. 
  • Try not using your tumble drier every time you do laundry. And make sure the lint is cleared out before you switch it on - not only is it a fire hazard, but it can add to the time it takes to dry the clothes.
  • Wash your clothes using cold water. You’ll be surprised how much energy is wasted when the water is warmed before washing. 
  • Only wash laundry when you have a full load. This will save electricity AND water!
  • Appliances with heating elements usually use more electricity, so try using these sparingly. For example, only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle, and only boil it when you need it. 
  • Convection ovens are more efficient than conventional ovens, and gas ovens can take you off the grid completely. 

 

Now that you are being as efficient as possible, saving you from a massive electricity bill and giving the grid a little break, what are you supposed to do when Eskom flips the switch? If you’re not hooked up to a generator just yet, 2 or more hours a day can make a huge toll on your business and productivity. So what should you be doing during the dark hours of the day?

  • Schedule your work around the load shedding. Make sure your laptop is charged and save the work you don’t need an internet connection for, for the load shedding time slot for that day.
  • Take a nap, then you’ll be ready to go when the lights come back on.
  • Read a book or be creative with those hours.
  • Take the dogs for a walk.
  • Go for a run or walk and do some exercise. 
  • Finish a few crosswords, a puzzle or play board games with friends or family. 
  • Schedule a lunch or dinner date and catch up with a friend.
  • Do some gardening. It’s getting cooler, so this is prime time to dirty those fingers.
  • It’s also the perfect opportunity to learn how to play a new instrument or just to dust off that old guitar and practise some tunes.

Time doesn’t have to go to waste just because you’re not connected to the grid or the internet. Use your time wisely and you might just start to enjoy the downtime Eskom provides.

What do you do when load shedding strikes? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Join our bsmart members group on Facebook and share with us. 

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