Complaining about our electricity woes (or lack thereof) is a unifying activity in South Africa. It crosses all income brackets, gender, and race. In short, it’s a national pastime and a real problem. But beyond the (fully legitimate) complaints, the cost of and access to electricity is a real issue in this country. While we can’t do very much about the actual cost or even the access, short of spending a mint on solar, there are things we can do to lower our bills through simple energy saving techniques.

We’re talking about little steps that aren’t only beneficial for your wallet but also for the environment. The fact is that as the times get tougher, it becomes even more important to adopt efficient energy practices.  

With that in mind, here are some practical and effective tips to help you cut down on your energy use. 

Switch To Energy-Efficient Lighting 

One of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption is to switch to energy-efficient lighting. Go ahead and replace those incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs, which use significantly less electricity and last longer. In particular, LEDs are considered the most effective energy saving bulb and can reduce energy use by up to 80% compared to traditional bulbs.

Oh, and it would be remiss of us not say that you should turn off lights when they are not needed. 

Unplug Idle Electronics 

Most people, especially younger consumers, don’t realise that electronics and appliances that are plugged in, even when not in use, can still draw power. The old generations refer to this as “phantom load” or “vampire power.” Therefore, it makes sense to unplug idle electronics or invest in a few power strips which turn off multiple devices at once. This can seriously help eliminate unnecessary usage and create energy saving. 

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances 

If you’re lucky enough to be using older appliances that just keep going and keep doing a great job, then we applaud your circumstances. However, if it’s time to replace old appliances, then you should opt for energy-efficient models. What you’re looking for are appliances with the “Energy Star” label or similar certifications, because these are designed to use less electricity.  

Optimise Your Heating And Cooling 

The two biggest offenders that hike your electricity bill are heating and cooling. In order to better manage your heating and cooling portion of the bill, you can make sure that your home is well-insulated to retain heat in winter and keep it cool in summer.  

You could even, budget permitting, invest in programmable thermostats to manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently. However, it might be more financially viable for you to improve your home’s insulation. Insulating your roof, walls, and floors will help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the need for heating and cooling. While this might be a bit pricey, double-glazed windows can also help by providing better insulation than single-pane windows. 

Harness Natural Light And Ventilation 

It’s tempting to keep the lights on all day long, so make the most of our abundant sunlight by using natural light during the day. Instead of switching on the lights, open the curtains and blinds to let in sunlight. With this kind of thinking, it’s better to open your windows and doors (if it’s safe to do so) so that you can create a cross-breeze, thereby using natural ventilation to cool your home and reducing the need for air conditioning. 

Adopt Energy Saving Habits 

It’s odd how small changes in your daily habits can lead to significant energy savings. A decent example is laundry. By washing clothes in cold water whenever possible, you avoid heating water and consume way less energy. You can also dry clothes on a line instead of using a tumble dryer to achieve the same result. 

Other practical tips include taking shorter showers to reduce hot water usage, only running dishwashers when full, and doing your washing when you’ve got a full load. 

Maintain Your Appliances 

Did you know that appliances that aren’t running as they should, tend to use more energy? It’s true. So, by keeping your household machinery in good condition, they’ll cost less to run and last longer. Make sure that you clean and replace filters in air conditioners and heaters, and defrost your fridge and freezer regularly. 

Feeling Informed? 

These tips are designed to provide you with actionable advice so that you can bring your energy consumption – and importantly, your energy bill down.  

If you’re wanting to make a more drastic impact on your bill, then perhaps solar is the way to go. Solar panels can significantly reduce your reliance on grid electricity and lower your energy bills. So, while the initial investment can be substantial, arguably the government incentives and long-term savings make solar panels a worthwhile consideration. 

Looking for information on solar power? Click here to find out more.