The festive season is upon us, and while it’s a time for joy and celebration (and all that incredible food), it can also lead to soaring energy bills. Given that December and January can be extremely expensive months for the average South African, it makes sense that we would want to try and keep costs down where we can with AA Informs energy saving tips.  

Thankfully, with longer days and the country’s extraordinary summer heat, there are plenty of ways to make your home more energy efficient.  

Here is a 12-day plan to help you with save energy and money while enjoying the holiday season. 

Day 1: Switch To LED Lights 

Who doesn’t love to sprinkle some twinkly lights around the house? The problem is, keeping these running can run up your power bill. Rather replace your festive string lights with LED options. These are reported to use up to 90% less energy and last significantly longer.  

Day 2: Become A Fan  

On Day 2, we would encourage you to avoid switching your air conditioner on and use a fan instead. It seems that fans consume less energy and can keep your home cool when temperatures rise. It’s also been said that ceiling fans circulate air more effectively. 

Day 3: Time Your Holiday Lights 

It’s tempting to leave your Christmas cheer on all night long, but in this economy, you should avoid leaving your lights on overnight. If you’re worried about forgetting to switch them on and off every day, you can simply use a timer to automate when your lights turn on and off. This will help you save heaps of unnecessary energy usage. 

Day 4: Cook Smarter 

The big festive feast might require every appliance, from the oven to your Aunty’s XL airfryer, but throughout the month, consider preparing your meals using energy-efficient methods, like pressure cookers or air fryers. Aim to avoid opening the oven repeatedly, as it wastes energy. 

Day 5: Turn Off Standby Appliances 

Did you know that standby power can account for up to 10% of household energy usage? That’s why you should unplug devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and chargers when not in use.  

Day 6: Harness Natural Light 

Take advantage of South Africa’s abundant sunlight and pull open the curtains and blinds during the day to reduce the need for artificial lighting. 

Day 7: Limit Pool Pump Usage 

If you have a swimming pool, reduce the pump’s running time to the minimum needed to keep the water clean. No more, no less. After all, you don’t want to end up spending more on chemicals, thereby nullifying your energy savings. 

Day 8: Seal The Exits 

We’ve suggested using a fan to keep cool, but when the temperatures climb, it can feel like you’re merely circulating hot air. What you can do to combat the warmer external air from getting into the house is use weather strips to block air leaks from your doors and windows. This will keep your home cooler without relying heavily on air conditioning. 

Day 9: Run Full Loads 

We all know what it’s like when the family is in town… heaps more washing! It’s better for your power bill to only run your washing machines or dishwashers when you have a full load. This significantly reduces water and electricity consumption – and everyone gets a clean plate at the next meal. 

Day 10: Install Solar Lights Outdoors 

Decorate your garden or pathways with solar-powered lights. These charge during the day and light up beautifully at night without increasing your electricity bill. 

Day 11: Turn Down The Geyser 

Set your geyser temperature to 60°C (because who needs a seriously hot shower at this time of year) or switch it off when going away for a few days. 

Day 12: Celebrate Energy Savings 

This final tip is what could impact your electricity bill over the next 12 months, so take a moment to review your reduced energy usage. Then, plan how you can continue these energy savings habits into the new year. 

Feeling informed?  

We trust that these simple strategies will help you keep your electricity bill under control over the next couple of months. 

Don’t forget that AA Inform is home to a range of useful financial tools and resources that can assist you along the way, including access our Monthly Personal Budget Calculator, which provides you with an excellent way to keep track of your finances and help you live within your means.