Winter is here! Eskom leaving you in the cold?

Winter is here! Eskom leaving you in the cold? Are you prepared?

It's becoming more apparent that hot water supply is no less than a blessing during this winter season. The energy supply is worse than anticipated and is already on track for another record year of outages. As South Africans, we need to make alternative plans for our homes as it has become obvious that the intensity of load shedding is worse than it has ever been, adding to that the perpetual increases in electricity prices. Here are a few preparatory tips for you:

Know when you're in the dark/cold

Plan meals, unplug appliances in advance, charge devices, and minimize inconveniencies from Eskom's power outages. There are many apps out there that provide accurate information about load shedding stages and schedules, allowing you to plan your lives. One that we've found to be dependable is the EskomSePush App. 

Stay illuminated! 

We wouldn't advise going the matches/lighter candle route for obvious safety reasons. There are many rechargeable lights on the market you can use to keep your home well lit. Another good option would be to install LED bulbs designed to function in the absence of power, delivering battery backup of up to four full hours. LED emergency bulbs automatically kick in when power is cut off and automatically start to charge when there is a power supply. Another amazing option is to install solar lights, which offer a greener and more cost-effective way of lighting. Even more impressive is that running costs are zero once installed. 

Buy yourself an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) unit.

A UPS is a battery that provides short term power to connected equipment during power outages. You charge it by plugging it into a socket when you have power. When the main power goes out, the UPS will quickly swap over to battery power within milliseconds, preventing any devices you have plugged into it from turning off. Examples of devices you can plug into a UPS include computers, monitors and modems. UPS’s allow you to continue operating your plugged-in devices for up to four hours on emergency battery power. Advantages of acquiring a UPS include reducing downtime on work or leisure due to power loss, protecting devices from unexpected power surges, and avoiding data loss when the power unexpectedly goes while working on something important, and it's portable and affordable.

Of course, Go gas! (& have a backup gas cylinder)

Replace your electric stove, heater and geyser with gas alternatives. Gas appliances are more economical, more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The bottom line is that gas will save you money on your utility bill, gas is an eco-friendlier option for any appliance, and they are more power efficient than electric geysers. No wonder they are the sensible choice for your property. They also reduce your carbon footprint. That's something to feel extra good about!

Contact us for professional advice.

If you are tired of spending ever-increasing amounts every month on the ever-soaring electricity prices and showering under cold water due to the ever-increasing load shedding, decide on a gas water heating system for your home or business today. Contact us to find out more about the advantages of gas and gas geysers and to have one installed in your home today.

We only work with registered suppliers and certified installers, making our gas geysers and gas geyser installations the best, most affordable and safest alternative to electric geysers.