By Rorisang Modiba
As winter approaches, South African households are making plans to stay warm. Although Mzansi has enjoyed a break from load shedding for 14 days, the chance of its return is likely as there is increased demand for electricity in winter.
Consumers need to compare the costs and prices of gas and electric heaters to decide on the most efficient and cost-effective ways of heating their homes.
A gas heater is more cost-effective than using electricity during load shedding, MyBroadband reports.
Their analysis compared the costs of buying and using a gas heater compared with an electric heater linked to a portable power station during power cuts.
It showed that using gas heaters for two-and-a-half-hour load-shedding periods would cost homeowners between R2,659 and R4,999 over the four winter months, including the initial cost of the heater.
These costs, however, depend on usage intensity and gas price changes.
The combination of an electric heater and a portable power station is much pricier, the report says, mainly because of the high cost of capable power stations.
In South Africa, a three-panel gas heater costs between R1,200 and R3,000, with various brands offering models at different prices.
Electric heaters are less expensive to buy, with some 800W models starting at R199.
However, the power requirement of 800W makes finding a suitable portable power station costly.
A 2,000W power station is necessary to run such a heater for two-and-a-half hours and they are not cheap.
People choosing this route should expect to spend between R18,299 and R22,199 or more on their heating setup over the four winter months.
This estimate doesn’t include the costs associated with recharging the portable power station.
Pictured above: Electric heater.
Image source: Stock
