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Loadshedding in South Africa is driving a shift towards energy efficency through upgrading appliances, smart lighting and harnessing solar power to create an eco-friendly home.
South Africa grapples with a persistent challenge that often dims its charm: loadshedding. As power outages continue to disrupt daily life, many are turning adversity into opportunity by rethinking their energy consumption habits and upgrading their homes and the contents within to become more energy efficient.
If you’ve long sought to do this but haven’t considered all the options, here is a list of things you could do now to tackle your power woes and ensure that your household plays a part in a greener future.
Replace old appliances with new ones
Even if your roof has solar panels from end to end, using conventional appliances can drain the power in less time than it takes to make toast, according to Solenco, which specialises in energy-efficient air treatment and lifestyle products.
‘In fact, some solar systems don’t generate enough power to run any appliances that create heat – like a toaster, hair dryer or tumble dryer – or keep things cool,’ points out Trevor Brewer, director of Solenco.
‘If you still enjoy using an air conditioner to control the temperature and airflow in cooler months, note that it’s almost impossible to run these machines on backup power. They draw on average 150 times more energy than fans – so if you are looking to keep a healthy airflow, look to fans with energy consumption around the 10–15-Watt mark, like the MeacoFan 1056 Pedestal Air Circulator, which draws only 9 Watts of electricity, making it inverter-friendly for even the smallest 500kVa batteries,’ explains Brewer.
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It’s not always possible to replace old with new, so to save energy and power costs, remember to switch off appliances that are not in use. ‘You can use smart switches to control your devices – such as geysers, air-conditioning units, heavy fryers, and other heavy grid-dependent equipment – from an application on your phone. You can also track which appliances use the most power. Replace these with newer, more cost-effective alternatives,’ advises Craig Lewis of SunLogic SA.
Consider using solar and gas power
Solar and gas geysers are becoming more popular, and companies are offering competitive pricing. Just make sure your installers are approved.
‘Gas stoves can also replace your current hob, and then you can use a camping kettle instead of your electric one, which will save on energy use,’ says Lewis.
Buy an air fryer
Air fryers can be very economical, especially compared to ovens. They’re becoming very popular as an energy-saving tool, and MarketWatch predicts they will become a R20 billion market in the next couple of years.
‘If you don’t want to go through the gas conversion, try using your air fryer more; it might use more power than your stove but your cooking time is a lot shorter and it does not take 20 minutes to heat up,’ says Lewis. An air fryer can also help you save in other ways. Last year it was reported that cooking oils had soared by 55% in price and that there will be more increases to follow.
Power bulbs, TV, and internet with energy-efficient alternatives
Lewis recommends replacing some of your globes with battery backups. ‘Replace some of your globes with battery backups. They have become quite cost-effective, and you don’t need someone to come in and replace them.
‘Consider a portable power pack to power your TV and internet during loadshedding. There are hundreds to choose from, so look for one that has a similar charge rate as the output. If you buy a cheaper model that does not allow the pack to be used in UPS mode, you will end up buying twice,’ says Lewis.
Lewis adds: ‘If you feel that loadshedding is becoming too disruptive, invest in a small inverter and battery that can run your “essential loads”, such as lights, plugs, and fridges. They have become a lot more affordable, and you are even able to rent one should you not be able to buy one outright or if you live in rented premises.’
Go Solar
If you have the money or can borrow the money (many banks are now offering loans to fund solar panels or allowing households to extend their home loans) to go solar, this is by far one of the best energy-efficient options to consider and should remove any energy disruptions.
Just make sure, if you are considering this considerably more expensive option, that you’re working with a qualified professional and not a fly-by-night outfit. Make sure you get certification from the Electrical Contractors Association or the PV Green Card Forum to ensure that you are protected in the event that something goes wrong.
