By Palesa Matlala
• A typical household could save between R800 and R2,000 a month by reducing geyser use, sealing draughts and heating rooms more efficiently.
• The biggest electricity guzzler in many homes is not the heater but the geyser, which can cost more than R1,100 a month during winter.
Winter is hitting South Africans twice.
First with the cold, and then with sky-high electricity bills.
With electricity, gas and fuel prices climbing, many families are struggling to keep warm without draining their bank accounts.
Inflation for electricity, gas and other fuels reached 9.4% in May. Fuel prices were up by 28.7% compared to a year ago.
Experts say many households are focusing on the wrong appliances when trying to save money.
The biggest power eater is often the geyser.
A typical family can spend between R1,100 and R1,200 a month on hot water during winter.
This happens because colder weather forces geysers to work harder and reheat water more often.
Easy ways to save on your geyser:
• Install a timer and save R150 to R300 a month
• Use a geyser blanket and insulated pipes to save R70 to R150
• Take shorter showers and save another R100 to R300
Combined savings: Up to R750 a month.
Electric blankets beat room heaters
Many people switch on room heaters every night without realising how much they cost.
An electric blanket costs only about R30 to R50 a month to run.
A room heater can add between R300 and R800 to a monthly electricity bill.
Potential saving: R250 to R750 a month.
Stop heating empty rooms
Heating rooms nobody uses is one of the easiest ways to waste money.
Experts say:
• Switching off a heater in an unused bedroom can save about R300 a month
• Turning off a home office heater after work can save another R150
Open-plan homes are also expensive to heat because warm air spreads into kitchens, passages and dining rooms.
Closing doors and keeping the family in one heated room can save nearly R400 a month.
How much do heaters cost?
Average monthly running costs:
• Fan heater: R180 to R1,000
• Oil heater: R250 to R600
• Panel heater: R150 to R450
• Gas heater: R300 to R800
The longer a heater runs, the more expensive it becomes.
Seal the cold out
Warm air escaping through windows, doors and gaps can cost households hundreds of rands every month.
Simple fixes include:
• Closing curtains before sunset
• Using door snakes
• Sealing gaps around doors and windows
These small changes can save between R50 and R200 every month.
Roof insulation can save even more.
Experts estimate that good roof insulation can cut energy costs by between R100 and R400 a month.
The cheapest heating secret
Many households already own one of the most efficient heating devices available.
Modern inverter air conditioners can produce several units of heat for every unit of electricity used.
Experts say using an inverter air conditioner for heating can save between R500 and R800 a month compared to traditional heaters.
The biggest lesson from winter electricity bills is simple.
You do not always need new appliances.
The biggest savings come from using less hot water, stopping heat from escaping and only heating the spaces you actually use.
According to energy experts, a family that installs a geyser timer, cuts shower times, seals draughts and uses electric blankets instead of room heaters could save between R800 and R2,000 every month during winter.
With temperatures dropping and electricity costs climbing, those savings could make a big difference.
Pictured above:
Image source: File
